Between Paris and Kyoto: The Grand Café Fauchon at the Height of Refinement

Fauchon Hotel Kyoto: The Art of French Living in the Heart of Japan

The Fauchon Hotel Kyoto, the second global establishment of the prestigious Fauchon brand, embodies the perfect blend of French elegance and Japanese culture. Located in the vibrant Shimogyo-ku district in the heart of Kyoto, this luxury hotel offers an ideal base to explore the city's historical and cultural treasures. Situated in a 10-story building overlooking the Kamo River, the hotel offers stunning views from its upper floors of the surrounding mountains and the cityscape.

Inside, the hotel boasts bold decor where Fauchon's signature pink touches contrast with monochrome Art Deco-inspired designs. With its 59 refined rooms and suites, a spectacular penthouse restaurant, an elegant tea lounge, and a patisserie honoring Fauchon's gastronomic heritage, the establishment celebrates French art de vivre while harmoniously blending with Japanese culture. A unique destination for lovers of luxury, design, and gastronomy, which we discovered during a delightful dinner at the Grand Café Fauchon.

Grand Café Fauchon: Haute Cuisine with a View

Located on the top floor of the hotel, Grand Café Fauchon is a culinary and visual gem. This sumptuous space, surrounded by large bay windows, offers spectacular views of Kyoto and Mount Higashiyama, especially magical at sunset. The restaurant's decor is a perfect blend of chic and sophistication, combining deep shades of black, burgundy, and gold with elegant light fixtures that adorn the room with refinement.

French cuisine, elegantly reimagined with local Kyoto ingredients, elevates each dish to provide an exceptional gastronomic experience. The culinary offerings highlight local and seasonal products, creatively transformed to craft refined plates that captivate both hotel guests and external visitors.

Exceptional French Cuisine for Our Festive Dinner

Kyoto, though renowned for its delicious traditional dishes, also stands out as a prime destination for international haute cuisine, embodied brilliantly by the prestigious Grand Café Fauchon. We had the privilege of enjoying a memorable evening at this restaurant during a festive December month, where the Christmas menu was featured from December 1 to 25. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and led to a meticulously set table facing the large bay windows offering a breathtaking view of illuminated Kyoto. The venue's elegant atmosphere, combined with the city's charm at night, creates a magical and intimate ambiance, perfect for a celebratory dinner. With a glass of Fauchon champagne in hand, we perused the menu designed by the restaurant's executive chef and Parisian chef Sébastien Monceaux. Two festive menus were offered, but we chose the 'Noël Fauchon' menu, a true ode to refinement and delicacy, perfect for marking the year's end festivities.

The meal began beautifully with an amuse-bouche of scallops accompanied by bottarga and a cauliflower mousse. The freshness and subtlety of this dish provided a glimpse of the excellence to come. For the appetizer, the snow crab enhanced by celery root remoulade and ossetra caviar proved to be a true culinary masterpiece, combining meticulous presentation and balanced flavors. The second appetizer, pan-seared foie gras accompanied by cabbage and a poultry broth, transported us to France with its rich and generous flavors.

The fish course, roasted monkfish served with a medley of winter vegetables, was perfectly executed, with precise cooking and vegetables with comforting aromas. The meat course, on the other hand, was a celebration of local products with Tamba venison, served with chestnut fondant and a rich, aromatic poivrade sauce. This dish, both elegant and robust, marked a highlight of the meal.

As discerning French gourmets, we couldn't resist the temptation to taste the selection of cheeses by Hervé Mons, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, carefully paired with crunchy nuts and dried fruits. Each cheese was an invitation to a unique gustatory journey, bringing a touch of French tradition to the heart of Kyoto.

To close this exceptional dinner, the dessert, a red fruit parfait charmingly named 'Bisou Bisou Noël,' was both refreshing and delicate. The sweetness of the red fruits and the lightness of the texture made it an ideal conclusion, leaving a lasting impression of this festive and enchanting meal.

My Review

Grand Café Fauchon is a true showcase of Parisian elegance and savoir-faire in the heart of Kyoto. The chic and sophisticated atmosphere of the restaurant embodies the Parisian spirit in all its splendor. The cuisine celebrates French gastronomic excellence, reinterpreted with local Kyoto ingredients, while remaining deeply rooted in authentically French flavors. Every creation, from pan-seared foie gras to the exquisite cheese selection by Hervé Mons, reflects an unwavering commitment to French culinary traditions while infusing a touch of modernity and innovation. An exceptional culinary experience, where the soul of Paris delicately unfolds on Kyoto's heights in a setting both refined and enchanting.