Le Grand Bleu, Azabudai 麻布台

Hidden away in the Kaisei Building, more or less opposite the drab walls and stunted guard boxes that denote the Russian Embassy, and a few doors up from the monolithic Noa Building, is Le Grand Bleu. An interesting café cum bar (I’m guessing due to the decoration, turntables etc.,) entered through an equally interesting – if odd – apparel store selling somewhat eccentric rock-whore/ native American inspired glam rags. Smells nice too. Very much like an Indian restaurant.

The café bar itself is actually housed within a wood-framed conservatory, which for some reason seems out of place in Japan, unless (why I know not) you happen to be in Yokohama, in the 1960s, or so I fancy. Décor was interesting, simple dark tile floors and tables and chairs of similarly dark iron, wood and fossil-riddled "marble." The foliage fronting the glass façade and thus shielding you from prying eyes created a fresh yet intimate atmosphere despite the January chill.

Decks, CD rack, rock/ goth/ ethnic trinkets, hippy-chick shroud and spicy aroma aside, some vaguely moody ladies with heavy mascara skulked about and when we ordered more than two chicken sandwiches they skulked off to the kitchens to discern the availability of said bird. At first they informed my dining partners and I that only two sandwiches could be managed – so we changed our order – but later one of them returned bearing tidings of chicken enough for three. As our Dear Leader pointed out, they probably just spread the chicken thinner… 

Wasn’t a bad sandwich though. Chicken not bulky enough, perhaps, but tasty. Could have done with more mayo, or something, and the salad was a tad bitter. Overall pleasant enough, despite the little white squiggly bits. Have a feeling Le Grand Bleu is best visited at night, wearing black, with a girl who cuts herself… You have to duck to enter the toilets too…

Tel: 03-3585-5650