In search of a calming moment away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we take a step away from the busyness of our daily lives. This time, our Private Wisdom trip was to “The Cafe by Aman,” directly connected to Otemachi Station in Tokyo. A casual visit without a reservation turned out to be an unexpectedly luxurious experience. The French-based course meal served on the terrace surrounded by greenery provided a special time that satisfied both body and soul. In this article, we will tell you all about the charm of this restaurant.
Visiting the urban oasis “The Cafe by Aman
Otemachi, the heart of Tokyo. In a corner of this office district lies a space that looks like another world. The Cafe by Aman is a café-restaurant located on the ground floor of Aman Tokyo, in a building separate from the hotel. Surrounded by the Otemachi Forest at the foot of the Otemachi Tower, the café is surrounded by a lush natural environment that one would not expect to find in an urban setting, with more than 200 varieties of plants creating a green space of tranquility and beauty reminiscent of a summer retreat in Karuizawa.
Access is excellent, with a direct connection from Otemachi Station on the Tokyo Metro Line. It is also only a 5-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. We had no special plans that day, so we decided to drop in on a whim. Relying on the information that we could enter without a reservation, we headed there with high expectations and a bit of nervousness.
A surprise for lunch without a reservation
We arrived at 11:00 am. As it was still before the peak lunch time, we were lucky enough to be shown to our table right away. Without a reservation, we were told that we would basically be seated on the terrace. The warm smiles and courteous service of the wait staff already gave me a feeling that a pleasant time was about to begin. The terrace seats are in a perfect location, with a view of the restaurant through the full-length glass windows and the lush green “Otemachi Forest” in front of you. The moment you sit down, the hustle and bustle of the city is far away and the chirping of birds reaches your ears.
The terrace seats 25 people and offers a sense of openness. The breeze through the trees was pleasant, and in the mild early summer weather of June, I felt as if I were at a resort. At this time of the year when the heat is not yet severe, terrace seating was the best option. While the inside seating is attractive, the special feeling of terrace seating, where you can be at one with nature, is exceptional.
Enjoying a French-based lunch course
Looking at the menu, the lunch course caught my eye. The course, consisting of four dishes (soup, appetizer, main dish, and dessert), was casual but still had a high quality feel that is typical of Aman. We ordered this without hesitation. The price range is around 8,000 yen to 9,999 yen, which is the perfect luxury for a special occasion.
The first thing that was brought to us was a potage of edamame (green soybeans). The bright green color of the soup is eye-catching, and the sweetness of the edamame matches perfectly with its creamy texture. Even on a hot day, the refreshing cold soup was a perfect dish to start off the course. Next came the salad, a colorful plate of pâté, cheese, and walnuts. The harmony of the different textures and flavors was like a small work of art. The savory walnuts accentuated the delicate French flavor.
For the main course, we chose Japanese beef loin. The moist, grilled loin spread the flavor of the meat as it was chewed, and was a perfect match with the sauce. The volume of the dish was ample and satisfying. Finally, dessert was served to conclude the course. The classic French dessert made with seasonal fruits was beautiful to look at and had an elegant flavor with a moderate sweetness. Each dish was carefully prepared and of a quality that made us want to come back for more.
Aman-like hospitality and coziness
In addition to the delicious food, the service provided by the staff made this lunch even more special. When ordering, the menu was carefully explained, and I liked the way they answered my questions with a smile. While dining on the terrace, we were able to enjoy our meal in a relaxed atmosphere, thanks to the appropriate distance and attention to detail. Aman Tokyo’s hospitality is both casual and memorable. The meticulous attention to detail perfectly accompanies the “quality time” that Private Wisdom seeks.
Surrounding the terrace seating is the Otemachi Forest, carefully nurtured over the past three years, a green space with more than 100 varieties of plants, offering a sense of the changing seasons and a tranquility that is hard to imagine in the middle of the city. On this particular day, the chirping of birds was the background music and I felt as if I was dining in the midst of nature. It was still early summer in June, and the heat was not too intense, so time spent on the terrace was bliss itself. There may be no other place that fits the phrase “urban oasis” so well.
Private Wisdom Summary
Private Wisdom trips are about finding the extraordinary in the everyday and cherishing the moments that enrich the soul. The Cafe by Aman, which I visited on a whim this time, was just such a place. Even though I visited without a reservation, I was a bit lucky to be able to spend a luxurious time surrounded by greenery on the terrace. All of the French-based course dishes, such as edamame potage and Japanese beef loin, were exquisite and gave me overall satisfaction, not only in taste but also in sight and atmosphere.
Aman Tokyo’s hospitality is both casual and captivating. The warm hospitality of the staff and the rich natural surroundings, which one would not expect in the middle of the city, made for a very special lunchtime experience that perfectly fit the Private Wisdom worldview of “cherish your own private time and savor the moment when you are truly fulfilled. Next time you visit for afternoon tea or dinner, you will want to explore the charm of different times of the day. The Cafe by Aman is definitely the place to go when you want to spend a little luxury time in Tokyo. We hope you too will enjoy a moment here to forget about everyday life.
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