A selection of Tokyo-area restaurants that feature fresh herbs in their dishes:
La Butte Boisee: French. (03) 3703-3355, 6-19-6 Okusawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, open noon-2 p.m., 6-9 p.m., closed Monday. Set courses 3,500 yen for lunch; from 7,000 yen for dinner.
Labyrinthe: French. (03) 5420-3584, 3-2-7 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Open noon-midnight, daily. Courses featuring fish are 3,500 yen.
Grape Gumbo: Wine bar. (03) 3569-7388, 5-9-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, open 6 p.m.-midnight, closed Sundays and Mondays (except national holidays). Among the many dishes using herbs, the coriander salad (1,300 yen) -- fresh coriander served with original miso dressing -- is a favorite. Appetizers from 1,000 yen; main dishes 2 yen,000-3,000 yen.
La Table de Com,ma: French. (03) 3418-1011, 1-16-7 Komazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, open noon-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., closed Mondays. Courses from 3,800 yen for lunch; 8,000 yen for dinner. A vegetable course, featuring fish and vegetable and seasonal herbs, are 7,000 yen, served at both lunch and dinner.
Rucola: European. (03) 3379-5678, 1-38-13 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, open 11 a.m.-11 p.m., closed Sunday and holiday. Serves Western-style dishes, including pizza and pasta. Herbs are used for almost all the dishes, from appetizers to desserts. Pasta from 780 yen; daily courses, 3,000 yen and 4,500 yen. The chef recommends the grilled chicken, cooked with herbs, 1,200 yen. In addition, they have more than 30 kinds of herb tea, and herb dish classes and lectures are sometimes held on the premises.