Bion

A little way from the busy main streets, Akasaka Bione occupies a quiet spot in a backstreet in Akasaka 2-chome. The menu draws on the feel of a modern izakaya and creative French cooking, with carefully prepared dishes available at both lunch and dinner.

Satisfying lunch, from meat dishes to set meals

A lunchtime favourite is the hamburg steak set meal, with a rich, savoury flavour. Cut into it and juices spill out, while the sides—including potatoes and salad—are just as carefully prepared. There is plenty of variety at lunch, too: beef stew with the depth of flavour associated with French cooking, a lighter roast horse-meat rice bowl, and a rice bowl topped with sakuraniku yukhoe. Because each order is cooked carefully, service can take a little time. In the meantime, salad and small side dishes arrive first, making it pleasant to wait at an unhurried pace for the main course.

Creative evening courses, with drinks to match

In the evening, set courses centre on seasonal ingredients and carefully chosen meat dishes. Creative small plates are well regarded, including chawanmushi with cream cheese and umeboshi, whose acidity and creaminess balance beautifully, and fritters that bring out the ingredients’ natural sweetness. They are served in a relaxed, chopstick-friendly style. There is a good selection of wine as well as unusual sake, and staff can suggest pairings to suit the progression of the meal.

With counter and sofa seating, along with an airy terrace, the quiet setting suits a meal alone as well as dining with others. After the meal, fresh-milk ice cream and coffee offer a chance to pause and unwind, rounding out a satisfying experience from beginning to end.