Bellota Concha is a Spanish style restaurant specializing in seafood fresh from the market. Mewby and I ate there once last year and enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a nice spot to celebrate our anniversary. They have two floors, so if you are upstairs you get one of these funky bells to call for service. We started our meal with a white asparagus and anchovy … [Read more...] about Bellota Concha on Tominokoji
Restaurants
Chakra Indian Restaurant
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...] about Chakra Indian Restaurant
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 flavors to choose, which you pay for by the 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 … [Read more...] about Gelato @ Ristorante Strada, Kyoto
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 the … [Read more...] about Baird Beer & Oysters at Dining Room You
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...] about Bocca del Vino
Wayang Bali
If you have been to Bali and you liked it, you will like Wayang Bali. They have really good authentic Balinese dishes and the owner Kadek and his staff are super, super friendly. I cannot recommend this place enough. Here are some dishes Mewby and I have taken a shine to on our frequent visits. Vegetable salad with peanuts sauce; how we love that peanuts sauce! … [Read more...] about Wayang Bali
Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi
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...] about Namaste Taj Mahal in Fushimi
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...] about Épice
Shiki Yoshina
Yuka Balcony Dining by the Kamo River Every year from May 1st through till the end of September around one hundred restaurants along the Kamo River erect yuka balconies so that their customers may enjoy the cool air off the river as they eat their meals. The sight of all those balconies on a summer night with all their cheerful lanterns swinging in a light breeze and the … [Read more...] about Shiki Yoshina
Istanbul Saray
Imagine if you will a basket of fresh baked bread, a colourful assortment of Middle-Eastern dips and a chilled glass of Efes Turkish beer. Sometimes such simplicity is sublime. I was so taken with the food at restaurant Istanbul Saray after my first visit that I spent one week telling everybody about the place and went straight back with Mewby the following weekend. The bread … [Read more...] about Istanbul Saray
Tramonto
Chris Rowthorn introduced me to this little Italian restaurant a few months ago. As he said at the time, to look at the place you would think it was a kissaten (old style Japanese coffee shop), and expect them to serve you カレーライス. Nevertheless here at Tramonto you can get some of the best pizza in town. The last time I went with Mewby, we ordered this one: Super … [Read more...] about Tramonto
