The Versailles salon at Joël Robuchon

Why it is on the list

Joël Robuchon Restaurant has held three Michelin stars since 2008; Kenichiro Sekiya leads the kitchen.¹ Its private dining is three salons on the top floor of the French château-style building in Yebisu Garden Place: Petit Trianon for 2 to 4, Hermitage for 5 to 8 and Versailles for up to 12.² From five guests the chef composes one menu for the whole table.³ Children of any age may dine in the salons; the main dining room takes no one under 10.⁴³

It is the wrong room for fewer than five: ask for Petit Trianon or Hermitage instead.² The trolley service stays in the main dining room, and the seasonal Spécialité menu is served to four guests at most.⁴

How to get it

Call the restaurant on 03-5424-1338 or 03-5424-1347, between 11:00 and 20:00, and ask for the Versailles salon; parties of five or more are booked by phone.⁵³ For a larger event, the same second number takes party enquiries.⁶ The salon menus are ¥45,000 and ¥35,000, tax included, with a 15% service charge; children 12 and under can order a ¥6,000 or ¥3,000 menu.² Dinner runs from 17:30 on weekdays and 18:00 at weekends and on holidays, last order 20:00; lunch is served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only.² Cancelling costs 60% from seven to four days before, 80% from three days before and the full price on the day.²

Discretion

Arriving by train, the Ebisu Skywalk from the east exit of JR Ebisu station leads in about five minutes to an entrance on the first basement floor, beside La Boutique de Joël Robuchon, without going outside.⁴ By car, Yebisu Garden Place's hourly parking is on B4 and B5.⁴ Men wear a jacket or a collared shirt; T-shirts, shorts and sandals are turned away.²