Monaco’s star-studded Japanese table is taking up summer quarters. Alain Angenost, our correspondent for the Côte d’Azur is there…

The pool deck © AA

Yoshi, the only starred Japanese table on the Côte d’Azur, and its chef Takeo Yamazaki have taken up their summer quarters by the pool in the glamorous setting of the Espace Odyssey imagined almost ten years ago by Karl Lagerfeld. Takeo Yamazaki, loyal to the late Joël Robuchon, has his credit not only with the opening of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Tokyo, but also in London and Hong Kong.

Shrimp dumplings with kombu © AA

Before Joël Robuchon offered him to launch Yoshi in 2008 at the Métropole, Takeo had hastened to leave to immerse himself for seven months in Tokushima, a small town in Japan, in the kitchen of chef Kokin Aoyagi, one of the best chefs from the land of the rising sun. On his return, he took into account the desires of a European clientele, subtly marrying Japanese and European flavors drawing on the taste memories of his many travels.

Omakase, sushi and sashimi © AA

The menu features two of his signature dishes, “Ebi Shinjo”, shrimp dumplings with kombu (edible seaweed) and “Ghindara No Saikyo Yaki”, black cod (black cod) marinated for seventy-two hours in miso. We also add the delicious sushi, nigiri, maki, sashimi, offered in Omakase, and meat and fish cooked in teppanyaki to enhance the flavors.

Black cod with miso © AA

Frédéric Woelfflé, head sommelier of the Métropole, who is relayed by his assistant Frédérik Leys, will advise you to accompany your meal with a Dassai 23, the must of sakes, whose freshness, purity and tension are remarkable. But we could just as well let ourselves be seduced by a sharp selection of whiskeys or Japanese green teas, without omitting beautiful champagnes. So, as we say in Japan: Itadakimasu !

Frédéric Woelfflé and Frédérik Leys © AA

Yoshi at the Hotel Metropole

4, avenue of the Madonna

98000Monaco

Such. +377 93 15 13 13

Map : from 31 to 185€

Hourly : 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Weekly closing. : Sunday Monday

To place: www.metropole.com