Even though I didn't eat there all that often (too far for me for that), Aux Bacchanales in Harajuku was one of my favorite French restaurants. Their bread alone, with its infinite variations and tidal amounts, was worth five stars in my book and my heart.
It closed down some time back, and I am not a fan of Akasaka, where the closest surviving branch is.
That's no big deal, now, because there's a new branch in much more pleasant settings than that (see the photo). Kioicho might be close to Akasaka, but it's very different in atmosphere.
I went there for lunch for the first time some days ago and found that, even though they decided to shorten their bread list, the place is a worthy replacement of its predecessor.
First of all, I decided against eating in the restaurant proper and ate at the bar because its menu fit the moment better (take a look at their site). Having spent most of my adult life in Asia, I often prefer eating many small things at the same time, even when having western food. And for this, AB is perfect: brought some stuff from their own bakery to our table (you are actually allowed to do that), we ordered a salade nicoise, some sandwiches, two beers, fries and other minor stuff. We then gobbled the whole lot down while watching life flow outside, in the sun.
If you go there in the evening, of course, it can make sense to have a rather more formal meal (at a rather higher cost) at the restaurant proper (but that is the kind of food I personally can get also closer to home). In that case, expect excellent food at about 5000 yen apiece for the whole meal.
My old review of Aux Bacchanales, Harajuku branch, so you know what I thought of it
Aux Bacchanales, a huge place occupying the whole first floor of a building, is actually three different things at the same time; from left to right, as seen from Meiji Dori, it's a bakery selling very good bread, a cafè who manages to look quintessentially European meters away from Takeshita Dori and a welcoming picturesque restaurant where the menu changes every day and you can choose one of many dishes from a blackboard.
Their bread deserves special mention. Often, for example at La Tâche, I have spent a lot of money on food only to be served stale bread, even though it is essential to a good Italian or French meal and no self-respecting Latino would accept anything but fresh bread. As I have already said, I cannot take seriously an Italian, French or Spanish restaurant that doesn't serve good quality bread. At Aux Bacchanales it is FANTASTIC and served to you in tidal amounts and great variety. It alone would earn Aux Bacchanales my approval. The last time I was there, I had baguette, rye bread, bread with walnuts, bread with raisins, and other wonderful stuff I cannot even name. Recommended.
Lunch:
It might not be Haute Cuisine, but it surely is very enjoyable and affordable. For the paltry sum of a 1000 yen apiece including taxes, I had fish and lentils in mustard sauce and my friend broiled quail with vegetables, and they were both excellent. Accompanied by a little wine, good bread, and a relaxing, unpretentious atmosphere, they made a very pleasant meal.
Dinner:
At dinner things are a little different. There are more dishes to choose from, and everything costs more, so that it's hard to get away with less than a 5000 yen bill. But for that figure you get a table on Meiji Dori, a smiling waiter, six or seven kinds of bread, great food and a great dessert, a fig tart in my case. Go there with your lover: it's very romantic.
Finding Aux Bacchanales is very simple. It is at the intersection between Meiji Dori and Takeshita Dori.
