The LVMH Group’s five-star hotel, Cheval Blanc Paris, has announced the opening of a new flagship Japanese restaurant, “HAKUBA”. Hokkaido-born Japanese chef Takuya Watanabe has been appointed as the head chef at the restaurant, located in the luxury Parisian hotel, Cheval Blanc. This establishment becomes the fourth dining option at the hotel, following other Michelin three-starred restaurants: Plénitude, Le Tout-Paris, and Langosteria. Head Chef Watanabe, in collaboration with Executive Chef Arnaud Donckele and Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric, aims to explore new territories in Japanese cuisine.
At HAKUBA, Chef Watanabe presents an intricate omakase menu executed through a four-hand cooking approach, where Donckele’s deep knowledge of sauce-making and Frédéric’s delicate French pastry techniques elevate traditional Japanese beauty through a contemporary interpretation. Particularly, dishes utilizing fundamental Japanese elements like dashi, sushi, and raw fish maximize the flavors of the ingredients, offering guests a memorable culinary experience.
Desserts also showcase Chef Frédéric’s creative fusion of Japanese culture and French pastry craftsmanship, providing a delightful end to the meal. Desserts featuring white and black rice, along with mochi glazed on the spot, add a flourish to the dining experience.
The opening of HAKUBA at Cheval Blanc Paris signifies the high regard for Japanese cuisine in the global culinary scene. Under Chef Watanabe’s leadership, different omakase menus are prepared for lunch and dinner, allowing guests to enjoy unprecedented flavors. Far from Japan, in Paris, Chef Watanabe is building a new world of Japanese cuisine that attracts global anticipation.
