HANAGATAMI @ Sophisticated Kaiseki Treat

For a chance to savour the sophistication of kaiseki dining in the comfort of Hanagatami at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, every dish is flourishing and delicately presented by capturing the essence of each season. mylifestylenews writes.

Dine in or out? This is always a conundrum when travelling overseas especially staying in a well established luxury hotel, as you always think local food in local restaurants is the best, but sometimes hotels can offer a more heightened dining experience not only with superb ambience and surroundings, but also with a  switched on service team that offers genuine hospitality which is an absolute added bonus.

When a hotel has been in existence for some time and the in-house restaurant has withstood all the challenges thrown at it, including covid, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka is no exception. This eponymous luxury hotel houses the graceful Japanese restaurant named Hanagatami - literary  translated as “flower basket” serving not only the delicate kaiseki meal but also fresh sushi, hot and crispy tempura, teppanyaki as well as sumibiyaki - a charcoal-grilled delight to please your palate.

The restaurant is quite well spread out in which a classic and sensible fit out of a good Japanese restaurant has been executed. Overall this enhances your dining experience which always comes in different spaces or rooms that are sectionized to ensure each mode and style of dining experience is exquisitely well executed in the right manner as well as to offer you a sense of private dining.

It was a Tuesday evening during our visit and thereby scoring a good table overlooking the illuminated garden courtyard which was rather special with a serene atmosphere due to the most beautiful and graceful zen garden landscaping. Not to mention our booking was scheduled to the last session of the evening at 8pm, so the restaurant was rather quiet (everyone eats early in Osaka) except some early diners already filled up some of the rooms and tables at the other end of where we were seated. This also tied in with the PR statement of “Step into a realm where time takes a pause......”.

The ambience was calm and the interior was simple, almost to the bare minimalist pairing with lots of light toned wooden furniture on a wooden floor and the upholstered dining seats were rather comfortable. The walls are very natural in a rammed earth style and everything felt so peaceful and working towards ‘zen’.

Hanagatami invites you on a gastronomic voyage that echoes the rich culture of Osaka. Needless to say that they meticulously select premium seasonal ingredients abundant with seafood, vegetables, regional sourced quality meat that capturing the essence of each season and, after all, Japan is known for its excellent and fresh produce and there is no other way to sample the best from those who are in the know.

We opted for the beef sojourn of Nikukaiseki experience and kaiseki means a multi-course meal that is considered the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine and less is more is the way to enjoy a quality kaiseki culinary experience. In this case it meant the best the chef had to offer to showcase his carefully and thoughtfully crafted Japanese culinary skill in the form of a beautiful expression as well as the umai flavour to please and we certainly looked forward to what was coming out of the kitchen.

 

<Chilled Beef and Marinade Leek with Chestnut Vinegar, Shiso Flower, Grilled Shitake Mushroom & Pine Nut>
The beef was thinly sliced, cooked to medium rare for its pinkish colour that was juicy and tender with a subtle flavour and the chestnut vinegar was delicious. The leek as a vegetable is highly under-rated and helped to provide a counterpoint to the beef, well accompanied by the aromatic shitake mushroom. The rich pine nut flavour in the creamy sauce as well as the shiso flower that gave a hint of minty and basil flavour which added to our enjoyment of the entire dish, all subtly presented on a specially made large bamboo tray for an attractive presentation.
 

<Beef & Inaniwa Udon Noodle, Matsutake Mushroom & Chinese Yellow Chive>
A warm dish to warm our heart next was the thin, smooth, firm yet soft Inaniwa Udon from Akita Prefecture that was simply delightful, accompanied by a thin slice of lean “shabu shabu” beef which was as equally tasty, being so juicy and tender. The soup was light yet tasty and the fragrance from the aromatic Matsutake mushroom added extra points to complete this tasty dish.

<Beef Bresaola Sushi, Caviar & Green Onion>
This Italian-inspired mouthful bite replaces raw fish with thinly sliced air-dried cured beef (bresaola) and typically features fillings like rice and topped with caviar, green onion on a medium size seaweed leaf which you then gently roll up to eat with your hands and it was simply divine!

<Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Ginko, Maitake Mushroom & Carrot>
It was important to note that the beef was from the Yamakata Prefecture and was sensibly sensational, being unquestionably tender, juicy and flavoursome with a hint a dryness and crust from being gently seared. A total of four ingredients were used and each of them played a crucial role to pair with the sensational meat to please your palate. It was evident that the chef had let the meat do the talking on the palate, as it had only been carefully handled and well cooked that really hit the spot!
 

<Steamed Egg Custard Pudding with Beef Soup, Beef Cheek & Chives>
This was the highlight for the night. When we first took the lid off the soup bowl, the aroma of the finely chopped chives and beef soup rushed out and filled the air immensely. A total pleasure for the nose on a zen-ish visual.

The egg pudding was silky smooth and the beef cheek was to die for and every morsel was to be savoured. A total winning dish!
 

<Beef Tenderloin Cutlet Sandwich, Foie Gras Sauce & Japanese Mustard>
The presentation was already a winner in our view with a gorgeous ceramic triangular stoneware and additionally, the beef lived up to our expectations in true quality and flavour which was mouth-watering. The meat texture was almost ‘spongy’, but so tender and the palate was subtlety personified with the most exquisite genuine flavour.
 

<Steamed Rice, Simmered Beef, Matsutake Mushroom, Barley Miso Soup & Japanese Pickles>
The beef was delicate with unctuous flavours and the rice from Kyoto Prefecture was outstanding with each grain “moist” and absolutely perfect in every way yet separated as they should be with almost a hint of sweetness – it looked almost crystallized and was so delicious and finished with a homemade barley miso soup. This was another highlight of the evening.

Goshun Ikeda Sake, produced in Ikeda City, located in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture, Japan was chosen to pair for the entire Nikukaiseki dinner.

 

<Fruits & Sherbet>
Seasonal fruits were used for this simple palate pleaser with delicious flavours to go with the citrusy sherbet.
 

The service was superb on all counts from Yuko San - our server for the evening - who was extremely attentive and prompt. Every morsel was perfectly described and explained and it was clear that this was her passion that she exuded so much warmth and pleasure in what she was doing. We enjoyed the quiet and peaceful ambience of the restaurant and we were glad that we had chosen a late sitting. All manner of beef was the highlight for us, but so many other ingredients played an important part from different nominal Prefectures in creating detail and wonderment which made this sophisticated Nikukaiseki treat for our culinary journey so enjoyable and to be remembered.

 

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 5/5
 

HANAGATAMI The Ritz-Carlton Osaka 

2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-Ku, 

Osaka, Japan

Tel: +81 6 6343 7020

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.

FASHION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF 時尚怎麽了？！

FASHION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF  

時尚怎麽了？！

工作是勤奋的表现，是爱与关怀的象征，而工作的重要性却能影响时代特性和意义 - 这不是虚拟定理的伟大理念触动了妙姨 Miuccia Prada，在静默冥想过滤后的驱使下，激发了其名下品牌 MIU MIU 2026 年春夏系列创作的遐想，去探索职场女性的挑战、困境和经验；以工作去反映独立，直面女性工作被普遍忽视的现状。

这自主的媒介以工匠身穿的围裙被公认为象征工作的符号，予人崇高、尊敬之感之余，其文化意涵可因应物料和型态的改变而彻底转换，由家居、医疗到工业用途；由劳工到护理；由制造业到服务业，以至家务等范畴，进而应对、承认，并彰显其价值。

时装展场选址于巴黎的Palais d’Iéna，多柱式建筑布局，色彩对比强烈的木夹板餐桌星罗棋布，你受邀来看这秀， 就必得“坐枱”，将这个办公的空间化作抽象的日常缩影，以工厂作业的一个解读的角度，游走于传统美学观点之间，诱发情感的变调去构筑成一个工业风的世界。

今季多籮籮的设计元素和造型配搭有点杂乱无章，穿孔皮革、棉质府绸、提花丝绸、蕾丝、刺绣白帆布，花多眼乱的陪衬反而欠缺了聚焦点。

鞋履、手袋和配饰披上粗犷的皮革，刻意彰显实用为首的工业美，却弄巧反掘将 miu MIU 原有的可观性美学比下去。

这有点反讽 80 年代工厂妹高喊：返工啦！喂！的 《AT WORK》系列又想蜕变，又想挑战并颠覆社会规范的既有价值，呈献出来的反效果，显得不伦不类，格格不入。

一件衣物蕴含不同面貌，借鉴反映其实用性功能和用途，这非主流时尚系列，勉强地只可以权充时尚装饰品。要穿出既有得时尚感，难度极高，翻车频率可谓即时被推到最高点。

要对当代文化超载的现象作出反响，又要绞尽脑汁以不同元素及出人意表的方式于身躯上离散和重聚，这“你究竟想怎样？”教人捉摸不透并置的手法却正正是 PRADA 2026 年春夏女装系列《BODY OF COMPOSITION》创作的门径。

这系列的时装分析，服饰挣脱看似固有阶级的桎梏，但对比中呈现不到固有的和谐感。

品牌的制服风时装与晚礼服以非典型手法去融入典型女性元素，刻意重塑崭新的优雅风范，那出人意表的反效果正正和应这系列教人捉摸不透的设计灵感初心。

似是而非的时装以颠覆传统的方式包覆身躯，结构精简到几乎零设计，何来事前预计的轻盈飘逸之感？！半截裙的悬挂支点上移到肩膀，内衣没有钢圈，看似巨型眼罩多于上衣，轮廓和形态即时被摧毁。

服装的基本特性被经过彻底的重新审视，时装的意义被重新评估，透过箇中的关联产生变化，在独特的衣装以至穿著者身上均出奇不穷，怪异时尚并置。

每件服饰均具备与生俱来的灵活度和适应力，配搭因应当下不住蜕变。

如此舆论为这系列重申，是可喜定可悲？！商业和美感未能达标，设计灵感到了瓶颈但仍然继续撑下去的两败俱伤定理要如可被改写？是否是时候真的要好好自我反省，反省，再反省？！

时尚设计来到了这一刻，见好就收的道理被瓦解。的确，“醜“字笔画多，设计师及团体却领悟到将这独家的 PRADA 美学，将之发挥到了极致。

精心的连贯创意内容策划，破格的实验性设计和演绎，硬要被逼穿上，星级造型师也不应被责怪。赢来的喝倒彩又是谁之过？！这時尚不言而喻，究竟怎么了？！

HERMÈS 情襲香江 READY SET CASAQUE!

HERMÈS 情襲香江
READY SET casaque!
 

九月的一个悠悠秋夜，香港九龙湾的启德邮轮码头被化作高级时装秀的 T 台，维港景色远眺天际缐轮廓，在粼粼波光映衬下和璀璨夜色交织辉映，为此次移师香江的香港特别版的爱马仕2025 秋冬男装系列掀开序幕。

男装艺术总监 Véronique Nichanian 更亲临香港，以全新的设计理念倾力打造及诠释了 “casaque” 骑师綵衣的精髓及独特造型，去探索更新颖的美学世界，开启一场玩味的时尚之旅。

casaque 源自赛马文化，是爱马仕品牌历史中不可或缺的元素，在这个夜晚熠熠生辉。场地的简约斜线元素纵横交错，展现了服装正面与背面、里外、显露与隐晦之间的微妙韵味，贯穿著整个系列。

色彩交相辉映，意象瞬间转换万变，面料的柔软与图案的几何线条形成鲜明对比，以米白色、橙红色及青瓷蓝色等夺目色调，交织出多彩斜纹，以简洁的剪裁勾勒出优雅的轮廓，营造出独特的视觉效果，融入了都市感与现代感。

冯德伦客籍演出走T台

曾国祥客籍演出走T台

时装秀同场加映更有一众香港名人嘉宾如冯德伦，曾国祥等客籍演出，与模特一同走上T台，穿梭于混凝土的几何空间，飘逸轻柔的布料与棱角分明的图案互相呼应，碰撞出对比的火花去演绎出骑师綵衣的经典元素，娓娓道出爱马仕的马术精神。

全新的马术风格几何图案，充满无限可能与惊喜。优雅简约的设计邂逅锐利立体的线条，勾勒出饶富建筑美的轮廓，丝绒的质感与哑面小牛皮的纹理在灯光下闪烁着光茫，而厚实的毛毯质感派克大衣带来温暖的舒适感。

纵横的斜线在地面上蜿蜒延伸，和 casaque 元素巧妙地融入空间。咖啡色、石灰色和炭灰色等大地色调环绕着建筑空间，与柔和温煦的色彩对比。

光影从空中的投射，与冰冷的混凝土柱形成鲜明对比，犹如与城市交汇融合，衍生出一种美妙的共鸣。

嘉宾们跟随 casaque 的步伐，在色彩斑斓的空间中，与地下酒吧的音乐节奏一同沿著斜线轨迹前行，一场色彩缤纷的游戏旅程悄然展开。

在迷宫之外，隐藏着被待发现的秘密空间及未知的惊喜，在平凡之中捕捉不平凡，绽放光茫，点亮了整个空间；在光影与节凑中缓缓填满虚空，与都会精神彼此共鸣生辉，情系香江，尽显爱马仕与都市独有的魅力。