The French restaurant "L'Unique labo" has opened on the grounds of "HOTEL IL PALAZZO" in Haruyoshi, Fukuoka.
Opened in 1989 as Japan's first designer hotel, this hotel is known for its architectural beauty, a collaboration between leading Japanese designer Shigeru Uchida and Italian master Aldo Rossi. One of its iconic spaces, a separate building with a ceiling height of over six meters that was previously used as a chapel, has been given new life as "L'Unique labo."
Photo: Satoshi Asakawa
Photo: Satoshi Asakawa
The space, designed by the world-renowned design studio Atelier Oi under the direction of Uchida Design Institute, is a place where creativity intersects, as the name suggests: "L'Unique" (one and only) and "Labo" (Laboratory). Centered around a counter with only eight seats, the chef prepares each dish right in front of you, creating a sense of realism that makes you feel as if you are watching a stage performance.
Masafumi Hamano, Chef of "L'Unique labo"
The chef is Masafumi Hamano, who has been awarded two Michelin stars in Burgundy, France for six consecutive years. The menu consists of only one course, "Menu L'Unique," consisting of 11 dishes. The dishes incorporate the bounty of nature, such as fruits, herbs, wild plants, and edible flowers, and are designed around the theme of a subtle gradation of flavor with each bite, allowing you to enjoy the sensation of the seasons and nature quietly changing with every bite.
The tableware used is from the renowned French pottery maker Bernardaud and the long-established Arita ware maker Kamachi Toho. The harmony between the food and the tableware creates an experience that blurs the boundaries between taste and aesthetic beauty. In addition, the interior, furniture, lighting, and even the service wagon were all designed specifically for L'Unique labo, completing the experience as a single work of art.
Photo: Satoshi Asakawa
The architecture, design, and cuisine blend together quietly amidst the soft gradations of white and the light that changes with the time. We hope you will be immersed in a sense that will make you lose track of time and enjoy a one-of-a-kind gourmet experience to your heart's content.
L'Unique labo
[Address] 3-13-1 Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City (within the HOTEL IL PALAZZO premises)
[Opening hours] Lunch 12:00~ / Dinner 18:00~
[Regular holiday] Irregular holiday
[Menu] "Menu L'Unique" 11-course meal, 27,500 yen (tax included, service charge not included)
[Reservations] Reservations required
*Reservations can be made through the official website reservation page.
