We found another great curry place! Mewby and I stumbled across Chakra last night while out for an evening stroll, and although we hadn't intended to eat out, we were tempted in at the thought of Bengal curry goodness... There are a lot of choices on the menu, and everything seems pretty reasonably priced. There are also a lot of vegetarian/vegan options: 8 different … [Read more...]
La Jolla – Californian Mexican Grill
UPDATE! May 7th 2014: La Jolla has moved! Same great food! Different location! See below for the new address and access details! Many thanks to Ted Taylor for introducing me to this great Californian-style Mexican restaurant yesterday afternoon. Below is yesterday's lunchtime menu. Pretty meaty as you can see, but you can also get vegetarian versions of all these … [Read more...]
Trattoria Dougetsu by the Ocean
Mewby's birthday was a couple of weeks back and to celebrate I took her to Trattoria 道月 by the Ocean. Though the name is a bit unwieldy, the restaurant itself is very welcoming and friendly, and the food was superb. This is the outside of the building which as you can see is a lovely old (but fully renovated!) machiya townhouse. You can't beat a bit of machiya dining when in … [Read more...]
Kyoto Gion Udon Museum
Out walking by the Kamo river one day, we encountered a happy bowl-headed mascot (pictured below) hopping about on Shijo Bridge. We took the obligatory 360 degree picture together and received in return two drinks coupons for the Udon Museum. What more of an incentive do you need to explore the magical world of thick Japanese wheat flour noodles? Our curiosity piqued, we duly … [Read more...]
Gelato @ Ristorante Strada, Kyoto
Here's a cool tip for the summer. Ristorante Strada has a gelato stand on Oike Street - and every flavour is intense. There are ten ever changing flavours to choose from at 200 yen a scoop. Mewby is a big fan of the rum raisin, but for me it's a toss up between the refreshing lemon or the juicy blueberry. Not that it's a problem if you order a double! You can find Strada … [Read more...]
Machiya Dining at Cameron
This restaurant, Cameron is, in a very good way, odd. The graceful decor, the attentive service, and the exquisite delicacies they serve you, all give the impression of expense. Yet though we ate our fill of fine things and were waited on hand and foot, after bracing ourselves for a very steep bill, we were surprised to find we had spent less than at your average rough and … [Read more...]
Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
Many thanks to Robert Yellin for introducing us to Dining Room You, earlier this month. Hearing that they had both oysters and Baird beer there I was eager to give the place a try. We found it casual, and relaxed with a tiny garden at the back. Snow was gently falling to set the mood. Here's Robert in his element with a bottle of Angry Boy Brown Ale. Realizing that … [Read more...]
Bocca del Vino
Yesterday, Mewby & I celebrated five years together with dinner at Bocca del Vino. We ate there once before, about four years ago now, and I am happy to say that the food and service remain excellent. If you like Italian and you are looking to celebrate a special occasion with something a little bit special, then I definitely recommend splashing out at Bocca del … [Read more...]
Wayang Bali
This is going to be my last post here for the next couple of weeks as Mewby and I are finally off on our trip to Borneo. However, I promised the owner of Wayang Bali weeks ago that I would post something about his wonderful restaurant, so I really must do so before I leave! If you have been to Bali and you liked it, you will like Wayang Bali. They have really good authentic … [Read more...]
Namaste Taj Mahal
The quest for good Indian curry continues! Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi is certainly a contender; lovely creamy curries, giant naan breads, super friendly staff and some of the tastiest samosas I have ever devoured. And devour them I did. I'm not kidding about those samosas. You might think, "Oh come on! It's just a bit of pastry with potato, onion and peas in it." … [Read more...]
Jajouka
UPDATE: Jajouka closed in 2016, but K-san has opened two new restaurants serving French and Thai cuisine at Le Bistrot Belleville and Tolbiac. For details check the old Jajouka website. Jajouka is a Moroccan/French style restaurant and bar on Yanaginobanba that I pop into from time to time. It's a little bit pricey but the food is good and the owner K-san keeps the place … [Read more...]
Bistro Ranman
On Sunday, Mewby and I had booked a lunchtime table at Cafe & Osteria Siluet after seeing some tasty looking pictures online. However, on arrival we were dismayed by both the lack of choice on the menu, and the somewhat churlish manner of the waitress. Life being short, we quickly made our excuses and left. We were still in the mood for pasta though, and I was pretty sure I … [Read more...]
Épice
Last Monday was Mewby's birthday and every year, on her birthday, I take her out to a restaurant that must fit two criteria: it must be somewhere new (for us) and it must be super posh! This year it was Épice, a French restaurant in an old wooden machiya townhouse not far from the Imperial Palace Park. It's a pleasant spot, and the food could best be described as … [Read more...]
Mund Shokudo
UPDATE: Sadly Mund Shokudo closed in December of 2016. We wish Masuda Ryohei all the best with his new working ventures. Among all of Japan's muggy summer cities, Kyoto is held to be the muggiest. Sheltered as it is by mountains on 3 sides, it sits in a natural narrow basin. Come summer, the humidity rises from its plentiful crystal streams, springs and rivers - and stays … [Read more...]
