le comptoir de benoit

Yesterday was the last day of my french class for the Spring session.

7 of us including our teacher went to Le Comptoir de Benoit for lunch, a restaurant by Alain Ducasse.

Located on the 33rd floor of the Breeze Breeze building it gives you a breathtaking view of the city...after all that rain over the past couple of days, it was nice that the weather cleared up, so we could actually see the city.

Lunch started at 12:30 and didn't finish until 3-ish...leisurely for sure, lots of talk, eating and drinking.

Besides champagne, we also shared this 2006 Hecht & Bannier Minervois, a really delicious red.

For my starter (which is called entrée), I chose the Potage cultivateur aux légumes du Kansai (vegetable soup made from various Kansai organic vegetables)...chock full of veggies, I was surprised that the soup wasn't smooth, it was very flavorful and delicious.

For my main (which is called plat), I chose the Quenelles à la lyonnaise aux écrevisses (this was a fishcake cooked in a crawfish broth...very rich and airy, though the texture reminded me of firm tofu).

I recently had learned about this dish from a Flickr friend, so I wanted to try this when I saw it on the menu...I enjoyed this.

And for dessert, I chose the Tian aux figues, jus de framboise et sorbet au yaourt (a flaky cookie crust topped with cream and fresh figs then coated with a raspberry sauce and on the side yogurt sorbet)

This wasn't too sweet and a nice way to end the meal (I also had a cappuccino).

The portions were quite large and we all enjoyed our dishes, there was lots of talk so I think we all had a nice time.

One day I'll have to bring Satoshi here, maybe for a special occasion.

Le Comptoir de Benoit (UPDATE:2016 this place is no longer in business)
Breeze Breeze 33F
Kita-ku, Osaka
Phone: 06.6345.4388 (reservations required)