French Restaurant 'la Rencontre'

The chef/master created a perfect evening. The ambiance, pacing, food, service, etc. Each and every course was thoughtful, inventive, and above-all delicious and satisfying. We had a wonderous and surprising dining experience. From the moment we entered very detail and every aspect of the evening made us smile. Our highest recommendation. Thank you!!

- Scott R -

The restaurant is owned and run by a chef who trained under Kiyomi Mikuni. Mikuni ran the famous restaurant Hotel de Mikuni in Tokyo for 37 years until it closed in 2022. (Mikuni is rumored to be working on a new eight-seat restaurant at the original location to open later this year.) Our lunch was a 3.5-hour extravaganza in a 150-year-old building on the back streets of Zenkoji, the entrance of which is on the rear so that guests have a chance to appreciate the architecture and private garden. I neither felt that the pace dragged nor that I ate too much to not be interested in a small supper when I returned home. The courses of the meal were all unique, delicious and visually attractive. The ambiance was comfortable and yet didn't seem so stuffy that someone with modest boarding house manners like myself would feel unwelcome. Both the wine and non alcoholic pairings enhanced the flavor experiences of the meal. The non-alcoholic pairings in particular were quite original, using fruit and spices in combination with wines with alcohol removed. One was a mocktail made using a plum from the restaurant garden. Several were made with wine heated to remove the alcohol with ingredients like vanilla, pepper, cinnamon and apple juice added. The restaurant is quite small and on the day we visited there was only one other party. We were shown to a table at the very back of the restaurant facing a floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the snowy private garden. The temperature was quite good for such an old house. In fact we had to ask to have the heat turned down, which they gladly obliged to do. The decor is simple but quite sophisticated, exposing the character and charm of the old wooden architecture. My only complaint might be that the chairs made a horrible sound when sliding them in to sit down and get up. Chef Seshimo holds true to his teacher's principles of creating imaginative seasonal dishes from fresh and local ingredients and possesses a wonderful sense about the fusion of Japanese and French tastes. He was also very approachable and friendly and it was special to be able to interact directly with him during the meal. I would highly recommend La Rencontre for special occasions and I shall certainly consider revisiting this restaurant when means and a pleasant opportunity present themselves. Courses 1. Tart with tubers and black truffle served on bed of quail beans accompanied with bean soup 2. Pumpkin mousse with fresh sea urchin 3. Green couscous with smoked Shinshu salmon, scallop and fresh watercress 4. Tokushima red shrimp, mussel with local spinach and a shrimp based sauce 5. Hokkaido oyster over risotto with truffle sauce 6. Spanish mackerel with white sauce 7. (No photo) Utsukushigahara beef with red wine sauce 8. Chrysanthemum leaf ice cream, fresh strawberries served in a chocolate cup with crunchy meringue 9. Marchipan tart, apple walnut cake served over cacao nibs in flower pot with trowel

- Christopher Keener -

Unsurpassable meal in a beautiful setting in central Nagano. Presentation, produce and pace perfection. A luxury experience.

- Susan Mathers -

What a jewel! This restaurant is certainly worthy of all the rave reviews it has received. 10 courses over 3.5 hours that was extremely well presented and delicious. Ingredients sourced mainly around Nagano prefecture were fresh and provided an interesting array of flavours that was well balanced and complimented each other. While the wine list consisted mainly of wines from Japan, it also included some great burgundies from the less known regions of Givry and Fixin which complimented the dinner very well. Ably assisted by his wife, Chef Seshimo has built a gem. Me and my wife will certainly be back for another fantastic dining experience!

- David Wong -

築150年の古民家はエントランスのアプローチから素敵。 隣接する場所に自家農園もあり、ご夫婦で 慈しんだ料理を作っています。 お料理すどれも美しく芸術的。 そして高い技術で作られています。 長野ということで、お値段も控えめなところが嬉しい。 お皿もカマチ陶舗で揃え、まるでアートを食べているようです。 長野に行ったら立ち寄りたい素敵なレストラン

- 道明寺さくら -

前菜からデザートまで全部がキレイすぎて、食べるのがもったいないレベル…！ 特に前菜の盛り付けは、秋の雰囲気たっぷりで センス抜群。 もう“可愛すぎる”の一言 そして牡蠣の一品…これは思わず声出た。 めちゃくちゃ美味しい どの、お料理も丁寧に作られていて、 シェフのこだわりがしっかり伝わってくるし、 スタッフさんの気配りも最高で、終始ほっこり 素敵な時間をありがとうございました 絶対また行きたいお店。 記念日や特別な日にぴったりの、とっても素敵なレストランです

- makoto -

Best dining experience in Nagano, the wine pairing is a must

- Hernan Jaramillo (holdmybirra) -

記念日や特別な日に訪れたい素敵なお店︎誕生日に伺いましたが、期待以上の素晴らしい時間を過ごすことができました。 前菜からデザートまで、どのお料理も繊細で美しく、まるで芸術作品のよう。 特に前菜のウニのペースト、丁寧に低音で火入れされたサーモンが絶品で、思わず笑みがこぼれました。 永遠にワインを片手に過ごしたいと思いました。 添えてあるお花やハーブも自家製とのことで、フレッシュ感を感じられ、シェフのこだわりを色々感じられました。 スタッフの方々の心配りも行き届いており、1人での来店でしたが心地よいひとときを過ごせました。またぜひ伺いたいと思います。

- C -