In the mailbag…

Every now and again I get an email like this that makes everything seem worthwhile:

As a vegetarian, I found your website SO HELPFUL! And I was happy to see you featured in the current issue of the Kyoto Visitors Guide. In that guide, I found the name of Mariko’s Kitchen Japanese Cooking classes, which I attended last night. It was such an amazing, special night, and I learned so much. Mariko is a very sweet person, and so fun to be with and learn from. If you ever find anyone asking about a cooking class, please recommend Mariko!
I went to Mikoan my first night in Kyoto (the visitors center at the Kyoto Station gave me a handout of vegetarian and vegetarian friendly restaurants) and I agree, it was an excellent meal for an amazing price. (I’m staying just outside the Gion area, so it’s close.) Next I tried Cafe Proverbs, and the soymilk ramen was AMAZING. I hope to try Hale and Kairasu this week. I’m also cooking at my apartment, which will be easier with what I’ve learned from Mariko. The hard part is shopping for food. It took some time to find soymilk at Fresco’s, and it’s hard to know which of the sauces are vegetarian…but it gets easier every day.
Anyway, thanks again for such a great website. I can see why you love Kyoto. The people have been so very kind, and several times I have been personally escorted to a restaurant or shop that I couldn’t find by a very helpful and friendly Japanese person.
Keep up the good work!
David

Thanks, David! I shall have to check out that cooking class when I get a chance! Also this week (and also on a vegan theme), I received a mail from Tadg Mc Loughlin of Mc Loughlin’s pub.

My good friend and poker nemesis Ian Ropke turned me on to your site. A wonderful mine of information, thoughtfully planed and excellently presented. Although not a vegetarian myself I take more than a passing interest in it for health and culinary reasons. I am launching our new Vegetarian/Vegan Menu this week end, I was wondering, if you or readers could suggest some of their favorite Western styled recipes to be featured as specials in the future. I will be giving out free samples in the coming weeks for feedback and suggestions.

Thanks, Tadg! I’m looking forward to trying the new menu!

For the time being comments are switched off, so if you have some information you would like to share with me please email me (Michael Lambe) at luain37@yahoo.co.jp. Or sign up for the Deep Kyoto group on Facebook here.