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French Bistro-style restaurant opens in Kyoto

By on March 21, 2020

Benoit, the longest-running French-style bistro created by celebrated French chef Alain Ducasse, opens its first restaurant in Kyoto on March 22.

A bistro in France is generally a place where one can have quick and simple meals. But Alain Ducasse has raised the bar since receiving 21 Michelin stars throughout his career. And that’s why Benoit Paris, after having changed many hands since 1912, is still open for business today.

“There is no other place as bistro-like and as Parisian as Benoit,” says Alain Ducasse. The passion in the kitchen and expertise in food preparation come to light with its cuisine that’s so old yet still works today. The food is traditionally French but who would want to change a formula that’s been working well for 100 years?

Benoit reflects a certain way of life and tradition well preserved since 1912, the year it first opened in Paris.

Run by Ducasse Paris, the new Benoit Kyoto is located beside Kyoto’s “The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu” which opens on the same day as the restaurant.

Antony Berkle from France’s Loire is the house’s Executive Chef who’s had a stellar career at two and three Michelin-starred restaurants in Lyon and Paris, including Ducasse Paris and Alain Ducasse in Macau.

Apart from dishes that incorporate elements of Kyoto’s tradition, Berkle will also introduce the dining public to Benoit’s classic seasonal dishes. Lunch menu is prix-fixe (pre-selected menu at set price) where you can choose your favorite dishes from the menu list. Hors d’oeuvres will be available at dinner time with classic and contemporary a la carte offerings for main dishes and desserts and dine overlooking the beautiful cityscape of Kyoto – lush greens of Shimizu hills, and Higashi mountain.

The ambiance is both rustic and casual typical of bistros you see in Paris. Its furnitures and varnished wooden counters were all imported from a French flea market.

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kyomisu is a new luxury hotel that used to be an elementary school built in 1933. It has 48 rooms, a restaurant, private bath and a fitness gym.

Benoit Kyoto
Opening day: Sunday, March 22, 2020
Location: The Hotel Seiryu, Kyoto Shimizu
Address: 2-204-2 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Opening hours: Lunch 11: 30-16: 00 (15:00 L.O.) / Dinner 17: 30-23: 00 (21:30 L.O.)
Seat capacity: 68 seats in the store, 20 seats on the terrace

Menu price:
・ Appetizer + main dish + dessert + coffee 6,000 yen
・ Appetizer + appetizer + main dish + dessert + coffee 7,700 yen

(Same menu initially for lunch and dinner)
Appetizer: 4 kinds   Main dish: 5 kinds    Dessert: 4 kinds

* The menu may change or the number of items may increase depending on the season.

https://www.benoit-kyoto.com/

http://www.benoit-tokyo.com/en/

About Julie Wilson