Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

at Kitajima Tei (北島亭) on 1 June 2026
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This is a long-established French restaurant with over 25 years of history, recognized as a Bronze restaurant on Tabelog and listed among the top 100 French restaurants.I enjoyed a JPY 16,500 prefix course this time. One of the charms of Kitajima Tei is the ability to choose your own dishes. The time spent pondering what to eat while browsing the menu is part of the enjoyment of dining here. Note that some popular dishes may incur an additional charge, so be sure to check.The first dish that left an impression was the white asparagus from Hokkaido.The thick white asparagus was juicy and had a rich sweetness. Paired with a classic hollandaise sauce, it was a traditional yet highly refined dish that showcased the quality of the ingredients.For the fish course, I had the sweet sea bream.The contrast between the crispy skin and the tender flesh was remarkable. The sauce was neither too heavy nor too light, perfectly enhancing the fish's flavor.The meat course featured beef steak and braised beef.The steak was cooked to perfection, with the flavor of the lean meat expanding with each bite. While it wasn't flashy, it delivered a robust taste of the meat itself, showcasing classic preparation.On the other hand, the braised beef was astonishingly tender due to long, slow cooking, and it paired excellently with the rich sauce. It had the depth characteristic of classic French cuisine, making it hard to stop enjoying the wine.I sampled several types of wine by the glass, starting around JPY 1,000 each, and there are also pairing sets available for three or four glasses.While modern French cuisine has been trending towards visual appeal, Kitajima Tei focuses on the quality of sauces, cooking techniques, and ingredient handling, making it a true classic French restaurant.It’s easy to understand why this esteemed establishment has maintained high ratings over the years. I highly recommend it for anniversaries, business dinners, or any day when you want to enjoy authentic French cuisine.

8 / 10