DEN, Tokyo – #32 50Best, 2* Michelin and one of the most memorable dining experiences of my entire life!
DEN, Tokyo – #32 50Best, 2* Michelin and one of the most memorable dining experiences of my entire life!
by brooklynite
8 Comments
brooklynite
I was incredibly fortunate to secure a reservation at DEN by simply calling… 500 times in a half hour period. After a wonderful chat with the manager, I was placed on a waitlist and contacted a few days later to confirm my seat as a solo diner.
What will not come through with these photos is the exceptional hospitality experience DEN provides. The food is wonderful, thoughtful and whimsical but as the adage confirms, “you come for the food, you return for the service.” From being greeted and embraced by name to Chef being involved in many presentations and every dish, to the pure joy and enjoyment, the happiness of food and drink, a meal at DEN makes you feel at home like no other restaurant I’ve ever dined at.
Standout dishes were the wafer foie sandwich, “DENtucky” Fried Chicken, salad and donburi mushroom rice. Truly though, each dish felt personal, from the heart and targeted towards me. My dashi was served with braised beef – no one else dining received that protein. Why? I’m not sure. Was it exactly to my preference? Absolutely.
If you are lucky enough to eat at DEN, you’ll leave feeling like Chef Hasegawa had you to his house for dinner. You met him, people close to him, and even Puchi Jr, his dog, who bowed to me after the meal. Seriously.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced this restaurant and encourage anyone interested to not give up – the juice is worth the squeeze.
I’m going to get downvoted but this seems really stressful and annoying. Fine dining done well should be about experience, service and quality of food, not ridiculous exclusivity
8 Comments
I was incredibly fortunate to secure a reservation at DEN by simply calling… 500 times in a half hour period. After a wonderful chat with the manager, I was placed on a waitlist and contacted a few days later to confirm my seat as a solo diner.
What will not come through with these photos is the exceptional hospitality experience DEN provides. The food is wonderful, thoughtful and whimsical but as the adage confirms, “you come for the food, you return for the service.” From being greeted and embraced by name to Chef being involved in many presentations and every dish, to the pure joy and enjoyment, the happiness of food and drink, a meal at DEN makes you feel at home like no other restaurant I’ve ever dined at.
Standout dishes were the wafer foie sandwich, “DENtucky” Fried Chicken, salad and donburi mushroom rice. Truly though, each dish felt personal, from the heart and targeted towards me. My dashi was served with braised beef – no one else dining received that protein. Why? I’m not sure. Was it exactly to my preference? Absolutely.
If you are lucky enough to eat at DEN, you’ll leave feeling like Chef Hasegawa had you to his house for dinner. You met him, people close to him, and even Puchi Jr, his dog, who bowed to me after the meal. Seriously.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced this restaurant and encourage anyone interested to not give up – the juice is worth the squeeze.
An album of the entire meal: [https://imgur.com/a/den-tokyo-GZCutlv](https://imgur.com/a/den-tokyo-GZCutlv)
Looks amazing. Could and would eat like 15 pieces of that chicken
A very special meal indeed. Love that carrot!!!!
How far in advance were you trying to book? Just curious if calling now for spring next year is too soon
Feel free to check out some other amazing meals I had on this visit to Japan:
Noma in Kyoto: https://imgur.com/a/klRhUyn
Sézanne (first night of their 3* service): https://imgur.com/a/ZTNwekg
L’effervesence: https://imgur.com/a/hCEQn3R
Epic Japan trip
Hi, Noriko. Which napkin did you select?
I’m going to get downvoted but this seems really stressful and annoying. Fine dining done well should be about experience, service and quality of food, not ridiculous exclusivity