Conrad Tokyo

[drron]

We stayed here in late october on a GLONP7 award.We were "upgraded to the Executive floor-but still a standard city view room and there are only 8 floors of rooms starting I believe on floor 38 so views are not really different between floors.There are 68 suites but in Hilton you dont expect these.
rooms are quite pleasant-

And the typical japanese "flower"arrangement-

Breakfast at the lounge was adequate though a little difficult to find things at first-juices in the fridge,cereals in a cupboard.A smallish lounge but we always found a table,occasionally needing to share.There is 1 laptop for all guests to share-on one night kept by an American couple using it to play games!No free wifi.
At night the snacks were limited but sometimes superb-one night they were supplied from the Gordon ramsay restaurant.needless to say most of the fig and foie gras found their way to our plates-

Another night we were all served with a plate of snacks from the Japanese restaurant-no choice.Why do Asians love abalone-to me has the consistency and taste of a gumboot.
They did serve afternoon tea-again limited desserts with a japanese bent-scones marmalade and cream.was good when they had profiteroles.
Wines-not great.A sparkling white we did not try.A very sweet Greek white,a very strange tasting Spanish white and an acceptable Chilean chardy.The reds were Spanish and Chilean which were not to my taste.
One very good piece of service-we were catching the 0715 airport limousine when leaving and officially lounge opens at 0700.The 3 couples on the bus were allowed breakfast at 0630-though no cooked eggs.
As this was a free stay it was great value.If paying I would go for the hilton shinjuku if sticking to hhonors-better lounge IMHO.Westin is usually cheaper by a little and the breakfast there is streets ahead plus free wifi in lounge for plats would make it better for me.but personally if paying I would go for the Sheraton Miyako-it can be had usually for about 30% of the Conrads price.No lounge but 2 hours free in bar with much better wines.And their concierges are just amazing.
Will review 2 of the Conrad's restaurants next.

 

[drron]

So one night we had dinner at the Gordon ramsay Restaurant at the Conrad.It has the city view but is spacious and well set up.Lighting is a little dark.just as well we booked-less than half the tables occupied.We started with an Amusee bouche-blue cheese cream puffs with a salmon pate-tasty.Then I had the 8 course tasting menu and mrsdrron the 5 course menu.
I started with a tuna and veal tartare very nice-

Mrsdrron started with a veal sweetbread and chicken terrine with shaved truffles-

I then had the foie gras-

We both followed with a seafood soup with scallop and pork two ways-

And I had lobster tortellini-

My next course was sea bream and horseradish sauce-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

The saga/meal continues.My next course was duck breast-

Mrsdrron had creme brulee with mango cream and coconut jelly as did I-

I then had a pear tart with cinnamon ice cream-

We had a bottle of Marlborough sav blanc.Total-$500.
Did I enjoy it-we both had a great time with very good food.Service great and very friendly.
Would I do it again-no,once is enough.

 

[drron]

We had saturday brunch at China Blue.The second of the Conrad's restaurants to have a Michelin star.This was much more reasonable at $120 a head but that also included all you can drink champagne(louis Roederer)and chinese wine-like a sherry so we stuck to the bubbles.The decor was modern and the outlook over Tokyo Bay.

The first dish was an amuse bouche-a bean curd and noodle dish.Quite bland but fortunately not a sign of what was to come-

Next was a chinese version of Caesar salad with shredded duck and wontons-very nice-

Then the very politically incorrect shark fins soup-I really dont understand its popularity or price.However it was accompanied by a parcel of baked mushrooms and shallots,delicious-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

The next dish was a fried fish with a selection of sauces-so delicious I had nearly finished before taking a shot-or was it CRAFT catching up?

Then a magnificent dish of fried mushroom with chilli-

Next a dish not quite up to those tastes-noodles with prawns and pork-

Dessert was a green apple juice and a sesame cream with almond ice cream-

Plus a sweet wonton-

Not to forget the bubbles and chinese wine-

Would I go back-certainly I would consider it as better value than Gordon Ramsay.However there are so many great eating experiences in Tokyo it is unlikely.