Kitaaoyama Salon

This bar in the basement of the Sign Café building, a landmark in the Gaienmae area, has been acclaimed by several magazines (including Monocle) as one of the best in the world. Despite the diverse interior styles and colours, the mix of antique chairs and sofas in thick leather provide a sort of continuity throughout. Even the private rooms, with their floor seating, are decorated with impressive leather floor coverings. The perpetual twilight inside makes it difficult to even see the faces of those seated next to you, and intimacy is all but guaranteed as you huddle close to companions to peruse the menu. Discriminating details are evident on the menu, with items such as vintage Champagne, and foie gras and duck risotto.