Wednesday, June 22, 2011

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)

12 comments:

jalna said...

Food looks great! Company must've been good too . . . 2 1/2 hours!!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, you lucky duck! What a fabulous meal you enjoyed. That dessert looks incredible...mmmmm. Top notch all the way around. So fun for you!

K said...

Sounds/looks like a great lunch! Leisurely lunches are so fun :o)

K and S said...

thanks Jalna :) company was nice!

Thanks Lizzy, glad you could come along virtually.

Thanks K, aren't they??

Take care everyone.
Kat

Rowena said...

Just wondering...did you all speak french during this lunch? Like for practicing? Everything looks so good.

Anonymous said...

How is French class coming along? Did I tell you my family is from Loire? I'm half French, but my language skills are horrible. I much prefer to study French than Japanese.

Lunch looks divine and I'm salivating.

K and S said...

no Rowena, though one guy in our class ordered in French, the waiter was Japanese though :p

I know from your blog that you are part French, Elle Marie, I think it is cool! French is so hard for me, "don't say this consonant", all the case-by-case rules! Though way easier than when I tried Mandarin...

Take care you two!
Kat

Parisbreakfasts said...

Oh my...
Quelle posh!
That dessert - heaven!

Deb in Hawaii said...

It looks like a wonderful lunch.
;-)

K and S said...

It was really delicious Carol!

Thanks Deb in Hawaii it really was!

Take care you two.
Kat

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Are your classmates Japanese? It was fun when I was learning English in English conversational school...then when I came to the US, I have no choice but using English and that became...no fun... Enjoy "studying" French! ;-) I wish I can learn 3rd language! Now my Japanese is getting worse, English not so improving anymore... just no perfect language!

K and S said...

all my classmates are Japanese and they thought I was too, Nami :) they were surprised when I told them I am American.

Take care.
Kat