Alvin Chen.

La Cime | Osaka Michelin Guide ★★ Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants World’s 50 Best Restaurants I visited La Cime, a representative French restaurant in Osaka, for the first time. It was a culinary experience filled with surprises and emotions that exceeded my expectations.Starting with the signature amuse-bouche "Boudindog," each dish, featuring seemingly simple pairings like butterbur × Granny Smith, tomato × red sea cucumber, and turnip × sea bream, showcased Chef Yusuke Takada's exceptional skills, creating delicate flavors and beautiful harmony.Particularly memorable were the dishes featuring eel × horsetail, potato × scallop, and crab × shiitake. These dishes beautifully fused the unique characteristics of seasonal Japanese ingredients with the delicate techniques of French cuisine.The dish of red snapper × chrysanthemum was one of the highlights of the evening. The elegant sweetness of the red snapper harmonized with the fragrance of the chrysanthemum, creating an unforgettable seasonal fish dish.The main course, Kagoshima saddleback pork, was moist and tender, with a flavorful fat that did not feel heavy, maximizing the wonderful qualities of the ingredients.The desserts were also very impressive. The blueberry × rice dish featured a contrast of flavors and textures with potato cream, berries, ice cream, and "Shadow Chips." It concluded with kombu × hassaku, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.The petit fours were playful and reflected the spirit of Osaka. One item, which encased homemade mixed juice in white chocolate, burst with nostalgic flavors of Osaka in a single bite. A dessert inspired by Japanese shortcake combined cream made with Japanese sake, macadamia nuts, and strawberry sauce, expressing a mature taste. Finally, a gummy inspired by a character symbolic of Osaka, with the elegant aromas of rose, hibiscus, and rose water, provided a memorable finish.The cuisine at La Cime is not about extravagant presentations but rather cherishes the memories of ingredients, seasons, and the land, expressed through delicate techniques.With refined service, a comfortable dining pace, and dishes that embody Chef Takada's philosophy, this dinner was not just a Michelin two-star experience but a beautiful gastronomic journey where Japanese terroir and French cuisine engage in dialogue.If you visit Osaka, this is a place you should definitely make time to experience. Less