Maz

Exceptional Food, with a Bitter Aftertaste MAZ in Tokyo, a celebrated 2-Michelin-star Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, offers a beautifully unique dining experience—almost. Our recent 9-course meal had no shortage of highlights: each dish was thoughtfully prepared, with meticulous attention to both Japanese and Peruvian traditions. The flavors ranged from sour and tangy to umami-rich and delicately salty, all balanced perfectly in ways that were both unexpected and delightful. Each course was explained in detail and presented with exceptional care, on uniquely designed plates and cutlery that elevated the visual appeal of the dishes. However, despite the excellence of the food, the experience was marred by the service. From the beginning, it was evident that our young host was new to the role. After seating us, the courses arrived swiftly, almost too fast, with the first dish served less than five minutes after our wine was poured. Throughout the meal, the service was intrusive, with staff clearing plates before we had finished eating, which made private conversation difficult as their hands repeatedly reached across the table. The team hovered nearby, creating a subtle but constant pressure to hurry through each course. At one point, a waitress even attempted to take my plate while I was still mid-bite, which was incredibly uncomfortable. Additionally, although we had mentioned we were dining in celebration of our wedding anniversary, it went unacknowledged. We didn’t expect a grand gesture, but even a simple "Congratulations" would have made a difference, as other places often do for such occasions. At a 2-Michelin-star restaurant, small details in service can profoundly impact the experience, and unfortunately, this felt like a missed opportunity. Finally, after paying via the contactless system, we left without so much as a farewell from the staff, leaving an oddly abrupt end to the evening. When visiting an establishment of this caliber, there's an expectation that the entire experience will match the quality of the food. Despite MAZ’s beautifully crafted dishes, the service left us with a disappointing aftertaste that clouded an otherwise remarkable meal.

As luck would have it, this restaurant was across the street from our hotel, new Otani Garden Tower. It is a small restaurant with maybe 8 tables. Although obviously a high end restaurant, we were made to feel comfortable right away. We both had the tasting menu, one with the alcoholic pairing and one with the non-alcoholic pairing. It was a total of 9 dishes but we were full by the 7th course! Standouts were the ceviche-like dish with a creamy citrus sauce that coated the bowl (see picture) served with a crisp made from the row of the same fish and the beef with sweet potatoes. Equally impressive were the drinks, and the non-alcoholic drinks were the most imaginative, especially the one with the honeycomb. Definitely try this place. It was a wonderful experience!

We had amazing experience at Maz. Great restaurant , attentive service and interesting choice of Peruvian vine. Chef Santiago Fernandez is talented and he knows how to present food in unique way. Perfect Japanese & Peruvian gourmet fusion. We will come back for sure.

Overall the dinner was great and the flavors stunning. At first I was slightly taken aback by the small portions, but I was wrong in that I left satisfied post meal. Except for one dish, I really enjoyed the flavors. My only complaint regarding food: I needed some bread or similar to mop up every single last drop of the amazing sauces. The pours in the wine pairing were pretty modest. I wonder if this is to cater to Asian guests. In any case, I would have preferred more than what seemed a single ounce of the wines. Service was friendly, especially kitchen staff and the sommelier. The reason I knocked off a point is because the meal felt often rushed. Staff were just too eager to remove the dishes in front of me. Often even before I was able to finish my wine. For a two star restaurant I feel some polishing is needed.