LE BON VIN

One day, we received an unexpected invitation.

It came from Chef Wakiya, renowned as the Iron Chef of Chinese cuisine. Would we open a wine bar in the Ginza building where his own restaurant was located?

Ginza was unknown territory for GRAPES. Could we compete there with the experience we had built up so far? We didn't even know that.

Wine consumption in Japan has been gradually declining. And on top of that, this was Ginza. In a city packed with renowned establishments, if there was any way to win, it was this alone: to make the bar truly, exceptionally special.

So we decided.

It would be a wine bar whose doors open only to those who truly seek a place like this.

We would line the shelves only with wines we found genuinely delicious, regardless of price. In a sense, a terribly selfish, subjective lineup. But that would become the very face of the bar.

We would give no thought at all to length of stay or turnover. We would simply devote ourselves to making a space that feels wonderful to be in.

And we would ask Chef Wakiya, who gave us this opportunity, to lend his talents as well.

When the building was constructed, he had a small dumbwaiter installed to carry dishes up from the first floor to the bar. So at LE BON VIN, you can order Chef Wakiya's cooking while you sip your wine.

Just 7 seats. Flickering light, and rows of bottles quietly sleeping. Waiting, unhurried, as a bottle of wine opens up. Talking about the day, noticing how the wine changes in the glass.

LE BON VIN. A place true to its name: good wine. A very special, very calm, and very delicious bar.