Beignet, a French restaurant in central Osaka, is aptly named. In English a ¡°beignet¡± is a ¡°fritter,¡± and given Beignet¡¯s chosen fare ¡ª a marriage of French cuisine and kushiage (fried vegetables and meat on a skewer) ¡ª the name is a no-brainer.

I had Beignet down on my list of new additions in the Umeda district to check out. The restaurant opened at the beginning of 2017, but it wasn¡¯t until our meal ended and I was chatting with the sommelier that I learned that Beignet happens to be a first cousin of Liaison (both are operated by the ¡°The Dining¡± company), another excellent French restaurant located in nearby Fukushima Ward.

They¡¯re equally sleek outfits and the emphasis is on earnest and creative food. Common to both is exceptional, but understated service.