GINZA CONNECTIVE

Masataka Yano×Chisako Takashima

GINZA CONNECTIVE VOL.71

Masataka Yano×Chisako Takashima

2017.10.01

An interview series featuring Ginza people in conversation with violinist Chisako Takashima. With a special fondness for Ginza, which holds many memories both from her professional and private lives, Takashima explores Ginza from various dimensions with her guests.In this volume, she welcomes Mr. Masataka Yano, Chairman and CEO of SEKI CO.,LTD., which runs the long-established French restaurant, Ginza L’écrin.

A history of walking side-by-side with Mikimoto and the message behind the name

Takashima
L’écrin is one of the most famous long-established French restaurants in Japan. Has it always been located here?
Yano
Yes. My father, the late owner, had connections with Mikimoto, the jewelry brand, and he was fortunate to have been able to rent this place.
Takashima
So, this building belongs to Mikimoto?
Yano
Yes. We are in the basement floor of the Mikimoto Building. Our restaurant opened in 1974, the same year that the current Mikimoto Building (Ginza 4-chome Main Store) was completed.
Takashima
It had never occurred to me that you had such ties with Mikimoto! By the way, where does the name L’écrin come from?
Yano
Actually, the name L’écrin is also closely related to Mikimoto. Since Mikimoto represents jewelry, we named our restaurant “L’écrin,” which is “jewelry box” in French. It is our greatest wish that the time our customers spend with us sparkles like jewels.
銀座レカン

Ginza L’écrin.

The new Ginza L’écrin after two and a half years of renovation

Takashima
I have heard that you reopened on June 1.
Yano
Yes. In 2015, Mikimoto invited us to join them in their renovation project and reopen two and a half years later.
Takashima
Did you make changes to the interior design?
Yano
I would say that the waiting bar on B2 is very similar to what it looked like before. Based on an art nouveau design, it still uses the chandeliers and mirrors that were originally installed. On the hand, the main dining room was completely renewed. We put in marble imported from Italy and decorated the ceiling with chandelier-like glass balls designed by a female artist.
Takashima
There is a certain stateliness and yet the room shines as if it was filled with jewels.
Yano
The beige interior works well with the soft lighting. I believe we have successfully created a bright and modern, yet classic atmosphere.
Takashima
L’écrin is also famous for producing many renowned chefs.
Yano
Many of our chefs have become quite famous – for example, our second chef, Asahi Inoue (currently owner chef of Chez Ino in Kyobashi) and our fourth chef Toru Totoki (currently owner chef at GINZA TOTOKI). We have now welcomed our seventh chef, Koji Watanabe.
Takashima
Is the menu modified when you welcome a new chef?
Yano
Yes. I believe that cuisines evolve with the times. Our current chef, Watanabe, works with traditional methods but is also open to new methods. His recipes appear to be traditional, but by using Japanese ingredients and less butter than the original recipe, he makes them light and modern.
ウェイティングバー

Waiting bar

メインダイニング

Main dining room

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