Le Chatain - "A warm hideaway"

 

Hidden away in Takanawa near Isarago, Gentle Reader, is the Sento Karigosho, or the Temporary Emeritus Imperial Palace. This is where the Emeritus Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Emerita Michiko are living while their digs in Akasaka are being renovated to meet the needs of the elderly couple. It also features beautiful rose gardens immediately outside on the Nihonenoki-dori street that runs from Isarago to Shinagawa. Even more notably, it is close to Your Humble Correspondent's hovel in Mita 4-Chome. 

And opposite the Gosho is a pretty little French restaurant called Le Chatain. Which means auburn blonde or chestnut, for reasons that are utterly opaque except that it is the most common hair color in France.

Le Chatain is one of literally hundreds of suburban French restaurants scattered around Tokyo, but stands out in that category. This brasserie is not pretentious or self-opinionated like many of its peers, and offers a bistrot local in the otherwise entirely boring Isarago area. Which in turn means that Your Humble Correspondent has come to frequent it on a reasonably regular but arrhythmic fashion.

Opened in December 2019, it is located in the rather twee Takanawa residential area. Despite that, Gentle Reader, one can enjoy well prepared and reasonably priced French cuisine in a very relaxed setting. Which might just be the very definition of comfort food. 

It even boasts single counter seats for the relationship-challenged, as well as two private rooms for those not so afflicted.

The point here is the produce, carefully selected with an emphasis on quality and sustainable producers. That makes for endless variety in the daily menu, as well as a playful sense of adventure and exploration.

Your Humble Correspondent most often opts for the Steak Frites on the lunch menu. Well-priced, well prepared, and sufficient volume for even this little fat boy. For dinner, you can expect only one "Course" but it is in the standard 5-dish (Amuse, Potage, Fish, Meat, Dessert) format offering even the most demanding customer a range of flavors. A la carte is also available.

Le Chatain has a prodigious wine list - in fact, selection is often a fraught process where one is often caught in the this-or-that conundrum. Your Humble Correspondent has found the most pleasant option from a self-care perspective is to have both.

Visit Le Chatain with friends and lovers. Alternatively, a sympathetic colleague.

And should you see the Emeritus Emperor at the counter seats, remember your manners!

Pip Pip!

Le Chatain: 2-2-25 Takanawa, Minato-ku t: 03-6450-3448

Le portefeuille: »Y8,500 (with wine)
Rating: Food: 7/10; Gosho-ness: 7/10; Service: 7/10; Ambiance: 7/10; Price-Performance: 7/10
Total: 35/50 (3 Forks)