Mama Mia Aso...

Sitting prettily behind Cafe Michelangelo in Daikanyama is a mansion which offers you your own little Tuscan enclave. The dining hall of Ristorante Aso looks out to a well-manicured garden with blooms in a kaleidoscope of colours and on the starched white table cloths were place plates with the obligatory renaissance print. This charming restaurant brings to mind the poem "Leisure" by W H Davies as you luxuriate in its pseudo Italian garden setting and while away your afternoon.

A flame was lit under this little scientific set-up and the yummy results!

A good friend of mine was raving so much about Ristorante Aso that of course, on her returned visit, it was imperative that we went there for lunch. Call it showmanship or gimmicky, but I was already impressed when the first course arrived. With the porcini mushrooms in one flask and the soup stock in another, it evoked memories long gone of Science experiments with a bunsen burner during school days...The delicious consomme was then served in a cup complemented with shrimp and mushroom tempura. Thus, our lunch was off to a flying start:)

Pasta with a touch of creativity, the disappointing chicken main and a trio of delightful desserts

As expected, the pasta course did not disappoint. It was adorned with an edible semi-wreath of florets and vines and a dainty shell which opened up to unveil chopped scallops and mushrooms. The main course of chicken and liver combo, however, was the downer in an otherwise purr-fect meal. It was neither tasty nor beautifully garnished. A complete letdown:( But all was well again when the trio of dessert arrived. It consisted of Tiramisu, pineapple sorbet and creme brulee. Classic and yummy.

The show must go on at Ristorante Aso! When the petits fours were presented, squeals of oohhhs and ahhhs reverberated around the restaurant. They were served in stalks juxtaposed with flowers! Soooo ingenious! This will surely bring cheer to even Mister Grouch!

Oohhh, Ahhh, I wanna bring them all home...

The efforts and thoughts that were put into creating such a psychedelic dining experience must surely be laudable. A word of advice, make your booking now for 2009 if you fancy a weekend date as they are already full on all weekends till the end of the year.

Ristorante Aso
Address: 29-3 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: 03-3770-3690
Michelin: **