French Connection

• Share

Fashionistas are still gushing and cooing over Chanel Ginza — the French fashion house's brand-new showcase in the heart of Tokyo's ritziest shopping district. But what truly sets this building apart, besides the bold, Peter Marino design, is its 10th-story penthouse, the newest home of restaurateur Alain Ducasse, pictured above with his team of chefs. The youngest person ever to be awarded three Michelin stars — and the only one of his generation to receive the same accolade for two restaurants at the same time — Ducasse was handpicked by Chanel Japan president Richard Collasse to create "a contemporary space dedicated to food" within the store.

The result is one of Tokyo's hottest restaurants, Beige Tokyo, tel: (81-3) 5159 5500. Named after one of Chanel's signature colors, Beige Tokyo is described by Ducasse as being a world away from his exclusive venues in Paris and Monaco. "It's accessible to everyone," he says, "and that's the idea behind it. I really want to change the image Japanese people have of a traditional French restaurant." If the 2,000 reservations Beige Tokyo took before it even opened its doors are any indication, he's well on the way to doing just that. Degustation menus start from $57 for lunch and $160 for dinner.