Louis Vuitton ventures into F&B with a gorgeous cafe that offers gorgeous city views in Osaka

The world’s most prominent luxury house has joined the likes of Burberry and Christian Dior in entering the culinary sphere with a cafe in Osaka, Japan!

The building stands proud in Osaka, Midosuji, with white panels covering the front and sides of this mammoth store. It resembles a huge ship set in sail, resonant of Osaka’s reputation as Japan’s busiest port.

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Fashion e food sono da sempre due esperienze che si influenzano a vicenda, e sempre più spesso designer e chef di fama internazionale danno vita a delle creative – e gustose – collaborazioni per ampliare e variare la propria offerta. A esplorare il mondo della ristorazione, per la prima volta, anche Louis Vuitton, che ha appena inaugurato il suo nuovo ristorante a Osaka, in Giappone: qui infatti, oltre a una lussuosa boutique a più piani, il 15 febbraio apriranno le loro porte anche una caffetteria e un ristorante Louis Vuitton, nati dalla collaborazione tra gli architetti Jun Aoki e Peter Marino. Il primo, Le Café V, è situato all'ultimo piano dell'edificio, in cima alla fluttuante facciata bianca ispirata alle vele delle tradizionali navi mercantili Higaki-Kaisen. Il ristorante di Louis Vuitton invece, Sugalabo V, è un elegante spazio industrial chic concepito per un piccolo gruppo di commensali, illuminato da luci soffuse, che si sviluppa attorno a una cucina aperta, e a cui si accede attraverso un pannello di tipo speakeasy. Le Café V e Sugalabo V sono in due punti separati all'interno dell'edificio, entrambi caratterizzati da un menu di Yosuke Suga, discepolo della leggenda culinaria francese Joël Robuchon, che riflette il background di Suga nell'alta cucina. Courtesy Louis Vuitton @louisvuitton #louisvuittonosaka #architecture #interiordesign #brandnewaddress

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The store features a four-storey boutique, with prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) hanging from golden racks, and coveted bags sitting on every spotless shelf, as well as eclectic paintings and furniture that are scattered throughout the maison.

Its main attraction, however, is its first of its kind cafe, Le Cafe V, is located at the top floor of the building, offering sweeping views of the cityscape.

The cafe is blue-and-wood themed, with gold accents that seems to run throughout the outlet. It comprises an open-air rooftop seating area, with baby blue wicker chairs and matching tables, as well as a minimal bar that sits eight.

If you prefer a more cosy setting, Le Cafe V also has a more intimate seating area with mustard coloured cushions and dimmer lighting where you and your partner can chat over champagne or even just an Americano.

Expect to spend at least USD13 for a cup of coffee, and even more for their exclusive teas, snacks, as well as their mineral and sparkling waters, says a W Magazine article.

If you remain unfazed at the prices above, you may even want to experience Sugalabo V, the restaurant counterpart of Le Cafe V. Sugalabo V, unlike the cafe’s refreshingly modern and simple interior, has a dark, moody edge to it, much like Louis Vuitton’s brand aesthetic.

Headed by 32 Michelin star winner Joël Robuchon’s protégé Yosuke Suga, this ultra-exclusive bar has a speakeasy-style entrance, and unfortunately only seats a few diners a night. Just so you know, Suga’s famous restaurant in Tokyo, which is also called Sugalabo, has a secretive reservation booking process. Let’s hope they’ll be less stringent with the new LV eatery.