Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2009

Courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

Who says fine dining has to put a hurt on your wallet? Not the folks at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, which recently unveiled an enticingly low-cost evening plan at their classy K’shiki restaurant (www.mandarinoriental.co.jp/tokyo; 0120-806-823). Visitors to this sky-high eatery can enjoy a selection of seven appetizers from a 12-item tasting menu for just ¥3,900. “Designed with the concept of sharing in mind,” the dishes are well-portioned in addition to being off-price. Lighter fare includes spring rolls, Thai-style pork salad and shrimp satay, but there’s also crab cakes with tomato-mango marmalade and house-baked bread with a variety of dips. Offbeat dishes include avocado chawan mushi and “baked scallop and truffle dome.” For an extra ¥1,100, diners can enjoy a serving of K’shiki’s signature soup—a mix of 20 vegetables in a creamy chestnut broth—plus a choice of entrée: pork chop with roasted garlic and mushroom stew; tuna with black-bean sauce; salmon with fruits-tomato confit; and others. With a welcoming vibe and fantastic view of the Tokyo skyline from 38 floors up, K’shiki is the perfect spot for a (surprisingly cheap) date or business dinner.