In a city renowned for seamlessly mixing the modern with the traditional, it's not uncommon to find contemporary high rise skyscrapers next to thousand year old temples or women draped in elegant kimonos walking next to blue haired visual kei rockers. The pursuit of the cutting edge in innovation and technology while preserving ancient traditions extends into the culinary world. The chic Tapas Molecular Bar located in the opulent hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo exemplifies the modernization of conventional wining and dining. Not your typical upscale bar, famed Japanese American chef Jeff Ramsey will take your taste buds on a mouthwatering gastronomical journey into the unknown with such offerings as, Air Granité, a sauce filled Lambchop (Xiaolonbao) and even a deconstructed Miso Soup.
Using the latest techniques in modern cooking or so called 'Molecular Gastronmy', and a kitchen filled with all sorts of gadgets and equipment normally found not in a kitchen but in a laboratory, Ramsey and his staff prepare four menus a year, using many Japanese meats, fish and produce to highlight the bounty of each season. Ramsey and his team aim to both surprise the palette and mind but also to deliver delicious high quality morsels representative of Japan and western tastes. For instance one of his signature dishes, 'Unagi, Pineapple, Miso' pairs roasted pineapple with soy-braised fresh-water eel, and a brilliant green avocado sauce. When all these flavors are eaten together, it tastes like eel grilled with miso! It's like culinary magic.
The scientific extravaganza may fool you into thinking that it's all just show, but with several years of experience as a sushi chef and having received the Sushi of the Year Award at the first Global Sushi Awards in 2006, Ramsey has deftly combined the attention to detail required in Japanese cuisine with modern cooking technology to make over 20 innovative and delectable bite size dishes. His artistry and dedication continues to be lauded as the restaurant has been awarded a star in the Michelin Guide for Tokyo in 2009 and has been swarmed by guests from as far away as Paris and New York.
Perched on the 38th floor, the bar also offers a breathtaking view of the city from sunset to night and with only 7 seats available, per evening, the atmosphere is an intimate one perfect for couples or close friends.
For the summer, Ramsey has created a special menu that will evoke a sense of nostalgia with such dishes as Caramel Corn and the Watermelon Bash, where lucky guests will have the chance to partake in the popular Japanese summer past time of smashing a watermelon in half by breaking a baby sized replica of a watermelon to reveal a hidden surprise. English explanations are available to guests upon request but be sure to book well in advance as these 7 seats, going for 14,000 yen per person, are among the hottest seats in town.
Whether you are just visiting Tokyo or are a long term resident, a night of fine dining at the Tapas Molecular Bar will be sure to entertain you while delighting your taste buds.
Tapas Molecular Bar
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8328
For reservations, please call (03) 3270-8188
Email: motyo-fbres@mohg.com
