abysse
Tokyo
Recensioner
Delicious and creative dishes ranging from abalone to white shrimp, prepared in unique and new ways. Food was incredible and the staff very attentive however the entire meal was a little over 3 hours long for 9 courses and 3 sweets to follow with some dishes stretching upwards of 20-30 minutes in between. You are seated in rather rigid small chairs for the duration of which leaves the body feeling sore and displeased. 5/5 for the food, 2/5 for the experience.
This was my first visit to Abysse and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. My partner and I are currently visiting Japan from Australia and we dined on Valentine’s Day. There wasn’t a single moment of disappointment for us. The ambience was calm, intimate and relaxed. Our waiter and sommelier were both very attentive, helpful and friendly. And the food was simply excellent. While our entire 12 course meal was delicious, our favourite dishes included Spanish mackerel with mountain vegetable ratatouille, oyster with caviar and soybeans, whelk and broccoli, pufferfish with black truffle and spring onion, and mascarpone with citrus and avocado. We enjoyed stepping out of our comfort zone and trying new and different ingredients, some of which we haven’t even heard of before. As a chef, I truly appreciate the level of thought, care and creativity put into each dish. The quality and flow of food and service felt like the epitome of what hospitality should be. The whole experience was a highlight of my holiday in Tokyo. Bravo Abysse.
My partner and I are visiting from Australia, and this was without a doubt one of the absolute highlights of our trip. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. The sommelier’s knowledge and passion truly elevated the experience - each wine pairing for the 12 courses was thoughtful and perfectly matched. The waitstaff were warm, attentive and made us feel completely at ease throughout the evening. As for the food - it was extraordinary. Each course showcased incredible creativity, balance and presentation. The chefs continued to surprise and impress us with every dish, delivering flavours that were both refined and unforgettable. If you’re in the area and looking for a truly outstanding dining experience, this is an absolute must.
When it comes to “Yoshoku” or Western Food, Tokyo is filled with many restaurants geared to foreigners that are pureplay French or Italian with Japanese ingredients. I carefully curated a few “European” restaurants that described as Japanese first and French/Italian second. They were difficult to find, and even more difficult to reserve. Abysse (one star) was spectacular; our favorite meal in Tokyo. A “sea and mountain” and highly seasonal focused menu, “Abysse” is named for the ocean depths or deep green of the forest (in homage to the foraged items.) 11 courses of perfectly executed seafood items with plenty of surprises. They also employed judicious use of pork and chicken to add Oishii complexity to many of the dishes. Exotic foraged mushrooms, intensely flavored stocks and sauces, and the crispiest of crispy skin enhanced the fish. All of this and Zalto stems as well! Reasonable burgs on the list by Tokyo standards. It was lunch or we would have enjoyed more wine. #thefoodietraveler#kuishinbo
