Les Créations de Narisawa is a French restaurant in
Minato-ku, Tokyo. It opened in Minami Aoyama in November 2003.
Les Créations de Narisawa received one Michelin star
in the 2008 Michelin Guide Tokyo, and then two stars in 2010. The restaurant was
voted 20th best in the world in Restaurant (magazine) Top 50 2009, and the best
restaurant in Asia. The restaurant was voted 12th best in the world in 2011.
Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa was born on 11 April 1969 in
Aichi, Japan. He was trained in Switzerland at Girardet's, in France at
Robuchon's and in Italy at Antica Osteria del Ponte.
Narisawa returned from Europe after 9 years and opened
his own first restaurant in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture and named it
"La Napoule." Most of his avid fans were from Tokyo so instead of
staying on the seaside resort on Sagami Bay, he decided to move the entire
operation to central Tokyo.
Les Creations de Narisawa, 21st in the world ranking
and the only Tokyo-based restaurant in the top 25, seems to be a case in point.
Chef and owner Yoshihiro Narisawa has a remarkable vision, which he is not
averse to reminding his guests about with each and every dish, as well as using
various gimmicks, a detailed brochure, and the staff to get his message across.
He has obviously invested pots of money in the perfect interior of the
restaurant. Such perfection, however, falls out of tone with the other top
restaurants in Tokyo. In this sterile interior, the timid waiters seem to
vanish.