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La poule au pot
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ラ・プール・オ・ポ （池袋 / フレンチ）
La poule au pot (Ikebukuro / French)
English translation follows Japanese text.
今の東京のレストランシーンにおいて、「海外で修行」、「星付きレストランで○年」というシェフやホールスタッフの経歴を目にすることは、珍しいことではない。だが、「La poule au pot」は、彼の地で巡り会った2人の料理人ジョナタン・マルタンと渡邉美由紀が、現地での複数のレストラン経営を経て、日本に言わば「逆輸入」したレストランである。
そんなユニークなレストランで楽しむのはジョナタンの出身地であるオーヴェルニュ地方の郷土料理。様々に加工された豚肉料理、煮込み料理ポテ、ジャガイモなどのたっぷりとした付け合せ・・・現地のお店そのままに、プリフィクスのコースでもアラカルトでも、2プレートで十分に満足出来る豪快なボリュームである。もちろん、ボリュームだけでなく味も現地そのまま。使うべき素材を惜しみなく使い、食べているうちに自然と元気が出てくるような深みのある味わいである。決して、ごく普通のフランス料理ではない。
20名強で満席となる店内には、オーヴェルニュの友人で店のロゴもデザインしているというアーティストによる絵画、食材の可愛いポスター、昔のお店でも使っていたというチェストなどがさりげなく飾られている。「洗練」よりも「素朴」という言葉が似合うサービススタイル同様、シンプルな中に心地良い暖かみが感じられる。
最寄駅は、地下鉄有楽町線の要町駅。池袋からであれば、立教通りを山手通り手前までひたすら直進。決して便利なロケーションではない。が、一度場所を覚えてしまえば、「あの味が食べたい時にわざわざ出掛けていくレストラン」として、不便ささえも食事に出掛ける期待値を高めてくれる一軒である。
In the Tokyo restaurant scene, there are many chefs and managers with actual working experience overseas, and while many make claims such as "two years in France" or "worked for a two star restaurant in Paris", Jonathan Martin and Miyuki Watanabe at La Poule au Pot are in a class by themselves. In fact, they met each other in France and worked there together for and actually owned restaurants of their own. Now they are in Tokyo with their own new place.
The cuisine that this unique duo creates for their guests comes directly from the local dishes of the central Region Auvergne in France where they used to have their own restaurants. They especially enjoy cooking pork in a variety of ways. One of their specialties is called La Fameuse Pottee a Auvergnate. This is a typical family dish of this region, with cabbage, carrots, potatoes and homemade sausage all stewed together. They serve it as it is served in his hometown, with portions that are best described as substantial. Whether you order the Prix Fixe set course or choose from the a la carte menu, it takes only two plates for you to be happy and content.
What makes you feel that way is not only the fact the portions are generous, but also that they taste good. They recreate the true tastes of the region by sourcing and using all ingredients needed to stay true to the flavors of their culinary origin. These are definitely more than just another French food created without careful forethought.
Inside, the restaurant has only slightly more than 20 seats. The walls are hung with pictures painted by an artist friend of Jonathan and his wife who actually designed the logo for the restaurant. You will also be able to see some antique posters of French food items.
The way they serve their customers is not exactly sophisticated but it is definitely homey. You quickly feel very warm and comfortable in this simple setting.
The nearest subway station is Kanamecho on the Yurakucho Line. If you are coming from Ikebukuo station, you walk past Rikkyo University, a.k.a. St. Paul University, straight to Yamate Dori. Although this location is not as central as Ginza, once you have been there to try Jonathan's wonderful cooking and know where his own little piece of Central France is in Tokyo, you will find it very convenient to keep going back.
La poule au pot Blog
http://clermont.exblog.jp/ |
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