Just as its title implies, this drama is truly grand - in scale, in its characters, and in its spirit. That is probably what I loved most about "Grand Maison Tokyo" is that I could get lost in the stories of its characters and truly believe them, despite not knowing ANYTHING about the art of French cuisine. Even with a star-studded cast, every character manages to shine and get their moment, while also being an important and cohesive part of the overall drama plot. And honestly, the music also takes you there - the OST and Yamashita Tatsuro's "Recipe" has you feeling those intense moments and those softer, kinder moments so deeply. While the plot does follow the usual ebbs and flows of Japanese dramas, the tight storytelling and character development still managed to be nuanced and surprise me at times. Overall, a highly recommended drama, especially if you enjoy food and Kimura Takuya's acting!