NEWS ARTICLE: Jumbo Tops Zagat Survey of Tokyo Dining, Botanica Leads Rookies

(Adam Majendie, Bloomberg.com, 24 October 2007, www.bloomberg.com)

Jumbo retained its position as Tokyo's best restaurant for food in Zagat's 2008 survey, while Terence Conran's Botanica was the highest-placed newcomer.

In the survey of 1,243 eateries, Restaurant Hiramatsu climbed to second place for food, from 25th in the 2007 list, while Le Manoir d'Hastings jumped to No. 3 after failing to make the top 40 last year. L'Osier was voted as the most popular dining place, followed by Shotai-en.

The average cost of a meal was $70, making Tokyo the third- most expensive place to dine out among the 88 cities that Zagat surveys, after London and Paris. The Japanese capital got 21 out of 30 for choice by the 4,790 diners who responded, but only 12 for hospitality. Poor service and the failure to ban smoking were the two main gripes.

”Service and smoking remain problematic for the industry,'” Tim Zagat, chief executive officer of Zagat Survey, said in a release. “When asked if smoking should be banned, an overwhelming 80 percent said yes.”

In the 2008 survey, Spanish restaurant Ogasawara Hakushakutei was voted as having the best decor, while La Belle Epoque took the top slot for service.

Jumbo, in Shinozakimachi, is a yakiniku restaurant, where different types of meat are barbequed at the table. Botanica, Conran's first Tokyo restaurant, serves international cuisine such as roast beef in Tokyo Midtown.

The Zagat Tokyo survey is published in Japanese only. Michelin plans to start selling its first English-language guide to Tokyo restaurants next month.

For more information please contact: Emilie Lemons, Conran & Partners: cp@conranandpartners.com

October 2007