Originally Posted by
CPH-Flyer
I don't think hotels can manage Jiro any longer. He has become quite tight with the bookings. Particularly if you want to sit at his own counter, and not the other counter. His son's restaurant in Roppongi, yes likely.
But if there are hotels that can manage it, I would look to more prestigious local hotels. Like Hoshinoya, Capitol Tokyu, Tokyo Station Hotel.
Got it, that's helpful to know. My other option is to see if my friend who works at an international financial institution (Goldman Sachs type of place) and that I would see for dinner anyways could book it, as I'm sure they have people within the firm who dine at places like Jiro.
Originally Posted by
bocastephen
I would peruse our Japan forum before committing. I've been to Jiro a few times over the years, and while Ginza has remained a steady boat, Roppongi has gone downhill in terms of its clientele. The food is still just as amazing, but the experience no longer really measures up as the location has become more of a side-car to shunt foreigners who want the "Jiro experience". The latest Ginza location review from a fellow FTer in the Japan forum suggested that Jiro-san's age is catching up with him, he is slower, needs help from an apprentice in keeping up with who gets what, and that could be a factor in reducing the volume of bookings he needs to serve and moving guests to the other section, and keeping him with his loyal regulars. It's certainly not how I want to remember him, so I haven't tried to go back.
Head over to the Japan forum, there is plenty of advice on some amazing sushi restaurants to consider, and advice with navigating Jiro bookings and experience if you still want to try.
In my experience, the top level restaurants that accept foreigners, and not all do, will prefer to work with the concierages from Mandarin Oriental, Aman, Four Seasons and hotels of that category, especially as it reflects on the "quality" of guest the restaurant would be receiving.
Got it, that's helpful to know on the current status of both Jiro locations, though if the Roppongi location's food is still just as great as ever, I might just go and be one of those annoying foreigners there for the Jiro experience.
On your point about preferring to work with concierges from the hotels you listed, that was my exact concern. Within the Marriott Bonvoy hotels, which ones would you consider in that category? I figured it was probably the RC, the two Editions, the Bulgari hotel, and the Prince Gallery Kioicho? Unfortunately for me, the only way I will be staying at hotels of the caliber you listed in the near term is a points redemption for a top Bonvoy hotel...