Ginza is well-known for its high-end boutiques and exclusive brand name designer stores. Armani, Hermes, Gucci, Bvlgari and Chanel all have signature outposts here and the most surprising thing about them is they offer the unique opportunity to dine inside their buildings.
The iconic Chanel building has one of the most impressive locations of the lot, with a laid-back, resort-like setting up on their roof terrace overlooking the busy Ginza shopping street below. Featuring tweed accents and a lunch box put together by acclaimed French chef Alain Ducasse, you’ll have to get in quick for a chance to eat here as the outdoor area is only open for a limited time until October 31 every year.
The entrance to the terrace is via the same elevator that takes you up to Beige, the Michelin-starred restaurant on the 10th floor of the Chanel building.
While Beige is open year-round, the terrace seating at Le Jardin de Tweed is only open from April to October each year.
The waiting area by the elevator provides a nice, quiet escape from the crowds outside.
Heading up in the elevator we get our first taste of the Coco Chanel logo.
While the elevator doors incorporate Chanel’s famous tweed design.
As the doors open, we’re greeted not by a formal, bowing maître d’ but by two framed Chanel editorials, one featuring model sensation Cara Delevingne and the other showing off Chanel’s classic tweed suit.
While we were expecting rigid, formal service from the luxury brand, we were pleased to find we were free to walk onto the terrace and choose a seat for ourselves.
Seating options include cushions around the reflection pool, and tables or lounge chairs under large shade umbrellas.
Dominating the space is a large feature wall stretching into the sky, with hundreds of Chanel logos adding a bit of luxe ambience.
Ordering a light lunch from the French-Japanese menu was easy, with only two food options amongst the dessert and drink selections.
We chose the Ginza Summer Box for 2,700 yen (US$25.25) over the 2,500 yen ($23.38) cheese platter option. They might be stretching the summer box into early autumn but we’re definitely not complaining. Come spring, there’ll be a Ginza Sakura Box Set appearing when they re-open in April.
And just because we felt like splurging, we added the Perrier-Jouët champagne option for 1,300 yen ($12.16). If we had reservations about the cost, everything was forgotten when they wheeled around the champagne trolley and poured it ceremoniously into one of the flutes in the elaborate flute holder.
The decorated glass matches the design of the Flower Bottle Champagnes that Perrier-Jouët is famous for.
The lunch set is delivered with the same attention to detail, its four sides folded into a fluted, petal-shape and held together with wooden cutlery.
The eco-friendly lunch box uses only paper and wood materials.
The big reveal shows simple, delicately placed items inside, complete with a tweed pattern and a sign off from the chef himself, Mr Alain Ducasse.
The servings might look simple, but the flavours were superb. On the bottom tray we have roasted pork, a potato puree and marinated salmon and vegetables.
The middle tray contains freshly baked focaccia, beet-flavored ricotta cream on baked crisps and a prosciutto salad.
For dessert, a walnut cake and a light and airy berry and vanilla matelasse.
After lunch, we take a quick look at the gorgeous views, which include Tokyo Tower in one direction…
And in the other direction, famous designer buildings like the distinctive pink Mikimoto Pearl building on the left
And Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co. on the right.
Heading downstairs to the bathroom reveals another surprise.
Connected to Beige Restaurant, the bathrooms are marked with red, white and blue Chanel ties for the gents.
And a Chanel bag for the ladies. What great ideas! Quelles bonnes idées!
Thanks for the memories Mr Ducasse! Considering the meal was designed by the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef, our lunch at Chanel was a bargain. Plus, the relaxed service alongside the reflection pool and shade umbrellas made us feel like we were on a resort somewhere far away from Tokyo. A perfect place to spend a few hours after pounding the pavement below.
Details:
Le Jardin de Tweed
Address: Chanel Ginza Building, 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81 3 5159 5500
Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-11pm (may vary according to season); closed Mon, terrace closed during inclement weather
Photos: RocketNews24