I had the opportunity to visit the much-admired Quintessence. By chance, we managed to secure a reservation, so three of us went for our first visit. The interior isn’t very spacious, but the staff in the hall were attentive and responsive to our needs, which is a hallmark of a top-tier restaurant. The meal consisted of a set course, starting with appetizers that resembled finger snacks, including spring fish served on a biscuit. There was a slight fishy odor. The shrimp soup and baked white asparagus with Comté cheese were the two dishes we all agreed were the most delicious. The steak was charred, and the sauce had a tangy punch that made for an interesting flavor. The fish dish featuring managatsuo had a strong fishy taste when eaten alone. While the sauce helped mask that, it was too overpowering for our palates. All the desserts were delicious. However, it’s disappointing to realize that not everything at a high-end restaurant is guaranteed to be excellent. Having watched "Gourmet Maison Tokyo," my expectations were high, but I felt a bit let down as I wasn’t even allowed to take photos. We ended up thinking that our experience at MAISON KEI was better. Perhaps it was just a matter of luck, so I hope to have another chance in the future.