La Bonne Femme

Thursday, July 16 2009
Tokyo, Japan
Hot, Humid and Hot

Between the heat and the lackluster results at work, I'm always looking for getaways to gather my thoughts and to relax.  So while walking back from work in the hot, humid day after Bastille day night, I decided to try the local bistro which is a 5 minute walk from my apartment. It's called  Bistro Bonne Femme and I've been wanting to check it out since I saw it one early morning 2 years ago while taking Skipper for a walk (I had not adopted Yuki-chan yet). 

Given only one table was taken, albeit with 8 people, I was a bit skeptical as it was a Thursday night and expected a bigger crowd.  Anyhow, since I made up my mind to try it I went in.  The maitre'd guided me to a nice table in perfect English.  It was not an inexpensive restaurant but not super expensive like L'Oisier, etc.  Average dish was between 2000-5000 yen, but the prix fixe menu is a pretty good deal.  I decided to have the 6500 yen menu which included 2 hors d'oevres, a poached egg dish, a main dish of beef or fish - I chose fish, dessert and coffee/tea.   They also had excellent choices of wine by the glass and I had a fabulous glass of Chenin Blanc with my dinner.   In total, the bill came out to be about 9000 yen and the food was fabulous.  The service was also impeccable and very friendly.  The only complaint and its minor is the bread.  It was OK but I expected better in a French restaurant.   Anyhow, would I go back? the answer is a big YES because I had the best salad I've ever had in Japan!

The exterior of the restaurant:  Very cute but it's hard to find even though its only a 5 minute walk from the entrance of the US Embassy.

My meal started with a bonus appetizer of smoked salmon in a lemon like jelly.  It was very refreshing after my one hour walk from work in the hot, humid night.

My first course:  Gazpacho with langoustine and artichoke mousse.  It was very very good.

This is the best salad I've ever had in Japan.  I am going back to the restaurant just to have this salad.  It's called Salade Riche de Bonne Femme.  Its a salad of shrimp, scallops, the freshest greens and sweetest tomatoes topped with shaved truffles and dressed in a truffle dressing.  So Delicious!

3rd Dish:  Poached egg in truffle sauce.  I'm not a big poached egg fan but will eat just the sauce with bread anytime.  They gave me a "bonus" by adding shaved truffles to the dish.

For my main dish, I decided to have the snapper which was cooked to perfection.  It was not to die for but the black olive sauce was unusual and good.

By the time I finished my main dish, I was the only one in the restaurant.  But as you can see from the photo, the interior is nicely done with ample space between tables (very hard to find in Japan)

Before my dessert,  I was treated to an orange yogurt palate cleanser.

Dessert was so-so:  Panecotta with a coffee flavored sorbet.  I ate it all but would have been OK to miss it.

The maitre'd told me that they are open Monday-Saturday, including lunch.  I'll have to come back again soon for the salad.  The maitre'd also recommended the onion soup as they are known for it.  Maybe, I'll try the soup in the fall as it is way too hot for hot soup now.

Comments

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