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Sense, inside Tokyo’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is probably Tokyo’s top Cantonese eatery. Stepping into this modern restaurant with clean lines and decor, designed by Ryu Kosaka, which is composed of colored glass, crystal and wood – juxtaposed against a stunning view of the city – you’re impressed immediately. I was a guest at the restaurant and was invited for lunch, to experience a tasting menu composed of some of the restaurant’s classics and new additions to the menu.
At Sense, the menu is riveting. It’s very difficult to choose anything, as everything looks mouth-watering, so it’s best to leave it up to the chefs. You might try things like: barbecued Peking duck, fried rice with king crab and lettuce, steamed Okinawa star grouper filet or barbecued Mochibuta pork with malt sugar.
The dim sum is beautiful, dumplings hand-folded and delicately scented with cherry blossom or lemongrass. The presentation at Sense is so beautiful, you feel badly eating each morsel brought to your table.
But, you do end up eating, because you can’t resist. The service is flawless, servers darting about filling glasses with pours of 2004 Dom Perignon or delivering expertly crafted cocktails. Come here, sit, relax and indulge in Tokyo’s most fantastic Chinese. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any better.
