Blanc

Blanc is reminiscent of a quaint little Parisian neighbourhood bistro, but instead of being located off Rue de Charonne, you’ll find it on a quiet backstreet in the upmarket business district of Toranomon. It’s the product of a friendship and partnership between a Japanese baker and a chef: both Francophiles, and both passionate about organic produce, seasonal Japanese cuisine, and natural wines, all of which are on offer in abundance at Blanc.

Visit in the morning and you’ll find the timber dining tables stacked with baker Wada’s freshly made loaves: a mix of traditional offerings like rustic pain de campagne and chewy baguettes, and breads with a domestic spin, like pain d’Epi filled with bacon, daikon and aonori (seaweed).

At lunch, the menu serves up popular Japanese staples such as crab cream croquette, hamburg (a hamburger patty) and salad plate, with all-you-can-eat bread available as an optional extra. For dinner, chef Otani cooks up a daily changing menu focusing on fresh local ingredients. The atmosphere is cosy, relaxed and you’ll have a charming good time.