Hotel restaurants aren’t often the first stop when visiting a new city or country, but in Tokyo, they are as competitive as some of the best restaurants that surround it. MOTIF Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Tokyo Marunouchi is no exception to this food scene.

Three dining areas make up the scenic MOTIF: The Social Salon (main dining room), The Living Room (for casual lunch by the main bar) and The Gastronomic Gallery (breakfast, lunch and daily specialties during cocktail hour).

Dinner at in The Social Salon is formal but without pretention, and the crowd is a mix of local businesspeople, visitors to Tokyo and culinary enthusiasts. Michelin-starred chef Hiroshi Nakamichi and Head Chef Hiroyuki Asano partner in this farm-to-table experience to bring Hokkaido flavours and French flair. Their 10-course dinner varies often not only with seasons, but within them, and is best enjoyed with their champagne, wine and sake pairings (as well as Motif’s fresh bread which is absolutely incredible).

Of the 10-course menu, personal highlights were a bean sprout and egg-yolk dish, complete with shaved black truffle; Hokkaido scallop (larger and sweeter than usual scallops) wrapped in shiso leaf and lightly fried; a seasonal vegetable dish comprising over 20 types of vegetables in a light butter sauce; a MOTIF specialty: “ikameshi” which is risotto-stuffed squid that is spectacularly tender and rich; and a sweet potato crème brulée.

Whether staying in Marunouchi for business or pleasure, MOTIF is a can’t-miss addition to your Tokyo visit.

Photos by Nadia MK and courtesy of Motif Restaurant at Four Seasons Tokyo Marunouchi.

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