Anyway – checked out of the Mandarin. Had a delightful stay … but as ever, was excited about my next stop – The Four Seasons, Marunouchi!
1200 – Meet up with FSM – PR – Mayumi who we have been liaising with for weeks! It’s all smiles!
1300 – After a brief lunch. Check-in to the 6th floor – a 1-bedroom suite with Ginza (district) views.
1400 – Interview General Manager – Michael Branham – and old hand here in Tokyo and indeed Asia. The hotel has ONLY 57 rooms inc. 9 suites … the second smallest FS in the world but the smallest City hotel. When it opened in 2002, it caused quite a stir as its just so small BUT set a new standard of service here and ever since, new openings have had to emulate the FS way ...
1500 – High tea … was worried that it would be a later version of the Japanese breakfast BUT I am pleased to say that chef James Viney has developed his own version with cutsie little trays of “sandwiches” – i.e. smoked salmon baguette, Wagyu beef burger & pistachio & duck tortilla … with biscuits, cakes etc that are not as they seem. It’s all washed down with champagne and macha (string green tea). Inventive!
1600 – into the kitchen with James to make 1) mahi mahi – for a main 2) crème brûlée for dessert. 1) is fabulous 2) not a fan but Tim tells me it’s excellent. The whole afternoon swam as we supped fine champagne and had fun in the kitchen.
Put it down Bob!
1815 – headed up to the 31st floor (the hotel has the bottom 7 floors BUT the 31st is a hidden secret room) … for a drinks party to meet the hotel staff who are – without exception –lovely before settling down for dinner with GM for a James Viney surprise – pizza … (well for me anyway!) … a grand day methinx …
Song of the Day: King of the Road (Roger Miller)
Weather: Terrible x 10
Weight: still on downward curve
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