WAGYU KAISEKI DEN

Located at the Sheung Wan end of Hollywood Road, Wagyu Kaiseki Den is an exclusive high-end Japanese restaurant that specializes in exquisite kaiseki cuisine. Run by the group which also operate the city’s top luxe dining restaurants including China Club and Island Tang, the place is a popular dining room for tycoons.

Hidden behind a sliding door near the Central Park Hotel is a sake bar on the lower floor and a black dining room on the upper floor. Behind the bar is a collection of fine sake, wines and other liquors. Upon entering the dining room, you can see the open kitchen. It's as you're front-row center at a culinary performance.

Behind the chef’s work desk are private refrigerated meat-lockers storing high-value imported meats from Japan for regular (tycoon) customers. A Tasting Dinner Menu set is $1680/person. The multi-course Japanese dinner usually includes a seafood platter, vegetable appetizer, a soup, grilled seafood and vegetables, tempura, grilled wagyu, rice and dessert. The menu is not fixed and it is designed by their head chef Hiroyuki Saotome daily, depending on what freshest ingredients are available. All of the finished dishes are carefully presented on artistically painted and crafted plates like pieces of art.

Their service is as excellent as the food. Their wait staff is attentive and friendly without being overbearing. When each dish arrives, they explain to you the correct way to enjoy it. No wonder this small place is always packed.

Wagyu Kaiseki Den does not take walk-in clients. Remember to make a reservation.