In December 2022, I was drawn to a 3-night, 4-day trip to Kyoto by the "Santa Maria Novella's Kyoto Machiya Restaurant," the world's oldest pharmacy in Florence. I made a net reservation for the Christmas dinner at 12,000 yen (including tax) for a counter seat. There are two sessions at 17:30 and 20:00. I strolled through the shops on the street, looking at potpourri and soap, and then entered the restaurant right on time for my reservation. The counter seats face the open kitchen, which surprisingly is quite small. I ordered wine pairing with three types for 4,000 yen, five types for 6,000 yen, and San Pellegrino for 500 yen (excluding tax). The menu included: - Assorted appetizers - Kyoto pork, cabbage, boiled, cartafata - Brie, 5 types of daikon, homemade ink - Lobster, watercress, lotus leaf tagliolini - Wagyu beef steak - Kyoto strawberry, pistachio, crepe - Santa Maria Novella herbal tea or coffee - Homemade bread The staff explained the dishes and wines well, and it was enjoyable to watch the kitchen up close. The homemade bread, Wagyu beef steak, and herbal tea left a lasting impression, but the rest was relatively ordinary. I wonder if the impression would have been different if it were the regular menu... The other guests, mostly couples, were enjoying the Christmas atmosphere, so I left the earliest around 7 pm. Thank you for the meal.

At first glance, it looks like a townhouse, but it's actually an authentic Italian restaurant. The dishes have a natural flavor that brings out the ingredients, and each dish is carefully crafted without feeling forced. The service is attentive and polite, showing a good sense of balance. The prices are reasonable and fair. I would definitely want to visit again.

I visited the restaurant for lunch by myself. I was happy to see that they had counter seats available, and that I could order a course meal even though I was dining alone. I chose the middle course and added some beef. It was very delicious.

I wanted to have a special meal to celebrate, so I searched for a luxurious restaurant and found Tisanelle. The entrance was next to a shop and had an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. Upon entering, I was surprised to see an open kitchen. The counter seats in front seemed comfortable for dining alone or with male friends. The two-person table by the back wall had simple paintings and a monochrome decor that exuded a refined elegance. I enjoyed a complete lunch with dishes such as chilled soup with new onions, a beautiful herb salad, saury fish, onion focaccia, pasta, meat dishes, tiramisu, and coffee. The delicate flavors and beautiful presentation of the dishes, along with the French-style service and youthful staff, made for a delicious and enjoyable dining experience.

The sparkling wine with rose scent that I ordered at first was delicious. The appetizers were colorful and looked very photogenic. The dishes had small portions but I still felt satisfied. The crepe with strawberries and pistachios at the end was also delicious, with a strong pistachio flavor.

I had the course menu at Cenn di oggi today. The contents included Stuzzichino of new onion soup, Antipasto of salad tea with 25 types of vegetables and herbs, Antipasto of oysters, mountain vegetables, and fritto, Primo Piatto of snow crab and kujo green onion, Secondo Piatto of sautéed sea bream, Secondo Piatto of wagyu fillet steak, Dolce of fondant chocolate, and coffee. It was served with Santa Maria's original herbal tea. The restaurant is known as the official restaurant of the world's oldest existing pharmacy, so the dishes are focused on herbs and vegetables. The restaurant has only five table seats and a few counter seats, but it is conveniently located near Shijo Station and the prices are relatively reasonable, making it easy to use.

In the past, the main course used to consist of two items (one fish dish and one meat dish), but now it has been changed to just one main dish. In exchange, they added two pasta dishes. I personally don't think we need two pasta dishes. I would prefer to enjoy two main dishes. The taste was delicious as usual. In terms of cost performance, it's not that great compared to other restaurants, but the atmosphere is stylish and cozy, making it a pleasant place to be. The location is convenient in Shijo Karasuma, so it may be unavoidable.

Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria♡Kyoto❤️‬Karumaru♡my pick!・Degustazione♡This restaurant is the only one in the world like this⸜(◍ ´꒳` ◍)⸝With a history of 800 years in Florence, Santa Maria Novella is a pharmacy that inspired the creation of perfumes and cosmetics stores worldwide. While there are nearly 10 stores in Tokyo, there is only one restaurant in Kyoto, inspired by the pharmacy's legacy, and it is not even present in Florence. Established as a result of the sister city relationship between Kyoto and Florence, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience. I made a reservation for the "Degustazione" course and was amazed by the beautifully presented dishes featuring Kyoto vegetables with Italian flavors. The Parma ham, Burrata cheese, and fruit tomatoes in the antipasto dish left me impressed. The black truffle and mushroom soup had a delightful aroma and flavor. The pasta dish with squid ink, Kyoto yuzu, and oil sauce was irresistible. The mackerel with Mimolette cheese was surprisingly delicious, and even the roasted duck meat was enjoyable. The dessert featured strawberries, and I also enjoyed Santa Maria Novella's herbal tea. The bread served was so delicious that I wanted to take some home, especially the one topped with caramelized onions. The flavorful olive oil disappeared quickly, and the ambiance with paintings of Florence and beautiful views added to the experience. Overall, the restaurant offers a unique and delightful Italian dining experience with Kyoto's delicious vegetables. Thank you for a lovely evening! Restaurant Name: Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria Reservations: Available Access: 1-minute walk from Hankyu Karumaru Station, 2-minute walk from Subway Shijo Station, 78m from Karumaru Station Hours: 11:00-15:00 (LO.14:00), 18:00-21:30 (LO.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays Hashtags: #SantaMariaNovella

I found a course meal that serves delicious vegetables. I reserved the 8-course meal with sparkling wine for 5800 yen. It was fully booked even on weekdays, so I recommend making a reservation. I wanted to eat vegetables, so I was happy with the various vegetables in the appetizers such as yellowtail and radish, and a salad with 25 kinds of vegetables. The vegetables were sweet and delicious! The fish dishes were crispy and tasty, and the two pasta dishes had different noodles and seasonings, which was enjoyable. I forgot to take a picture of the bread, but it was a sweet onion bread that was incredibly delicious, I wanted another one! The main meat dish was very tender and paired well with carrot sauce. The dessert was a crepe with strawberries and pistachios. I chose herbal tea for my drink. The dessert was also delicious. With so many dishes and such a good location, I think 5800 yen is a great deal!

A charming Italian restaurant located near the station! The timing of the food service is perfect, each dish is carefully prepared and very delicious. The focaccia with onions was especially tasty and the pork was juicy with great seasoning. The crepe with plenty of pistachios was also very delicious! The seating arrangement is good, creating a casual and relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy the food without feeling too formal. Highly recommended!

The restaurant Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria Kyoto in Kyoto embodies the city's food culture with top-notch Italian culinary skills and sensibility. They offer a variety of seasonal Kyoto vegetables, rich in flavors nurtured by the diverse seasons and unique local environment of the basin. The roots of the world's oldest pharmacy, Santa Maria Novella, can be traced back to 1221 in Florence. Dominican monks established a monastery and began cultivating plants in their garden. Over the centuries, their experience in herbal medicine and natural remedies evolved. The restaurant provides seasonal dishes featuring vibrant Kyoto vegetables that will delight your taste buds, along with wines to complement the meal. I opted for the speedy Rapide lunch this time, starting with a hearty Minestrone soup packed with a variety of vegetables. The organic salad, dressed simply with olive oil, vinegar, and salt, showcased the robust flavors of the 25 vegetables and herbs. The highlight of the meal was the onion soup with sautéed bread on top, which had a deliciously crispy surface. I tried two pasta dishes: Kobe beef Bolognese and salmon cream pasta. While the pasta portions were generous, they were average in taste. For dessert, I enjoyed the Jersey milk and Belgian chocolate gelato, along with the Santa Maria original herbal tea, which had a tangy flavor. The sparkling wine infused with herbs was a delightful addition. Despite the underwhelming pasta, the restaurant offers satisfying portions even in the short course menu. A meal for one costs around 4000 yen.

I heard that a friend often visited, so I finally went to the "Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria Kyoto Store". This place is famous for being the world's oldest pharmacy located in Florence. As soon as you enter the premises of the Santa Maria Novella church, you will find the shop on the right side. I couldn't help but enter and it reminded me of my trip to Italy. The atmosphere was great, with almost all seats filled and many staff members creating a lively vibe. The store was very clean and the paintings on the walls depicted Italian landscapes, making it feel like dining in Italy. The 25 types of salads and pasta dishes were excellent and delicious. The dessert with Gorgonzola cheese was outstanding. I started with a Moretti beer and then tried 3 different pairings, all of which were impressive. However, it was a bit disappointing that we weren't informed about the brands or details, and didn't even get to see the labels. Overall, it was a very enjoyable dining experience and I would definitely revisit this excellent restaurant.

I visited an Italian restaurant in Shijo, Kyoto for a special lunch to celebrate an anniversary. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with both counter and table seating options. I ordered the Degustazione lunch course, which included dishes like carpaccio, a salad with 25 kinds of vegetables and herbs, seasonal soup (butternut squash), two types of pasta, homemade focaccia with onions, a main course (beef fillet), dessert (fig ice cream), and a post-meal drink (Japanese black tea). It was a relaxing and enjoyable experience to savor the delicious course meal in a calm and pleasant setting. Each dish highlighted the flavors of the ingredients and showcased the restaurant's attention to detail. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I was invited to this restaurant for lunch and visited for the first time. The location is great and it's quite a popular spot, so I made a reservation for the weekend. My impression of the restaurant is that it's a place where you can enjoy a lively and delicious lunch with wine and good conversation on a sunny weekend. I was seated at a table towards the back, but I could see the open kitchen and how busy it was preparing the food. It had a lively atmosphere, which I would describe as vibrant. The chilled white wine and the colorful plates that were brought out, along with the casual feel of being able to eat with chopsticks, made it seem like a casual and enjoyable restaurant. And to my surprise, this restaurant is actually one of the top 100 Italian restaurants in the West in 2021! The food was really delicious. Personally, I fell in love with the freshly baked focaccia topped with sautéed onions that are apparently made here at this restaurant. It was so tasty that I could eat it all day, even though my fingers got sticky from the onions when I picked up the bread. The soup, herb-filled salad, pan-seared sea bass, pasta, and dessert were all very delicious as well. It felt like a casual dining experience because it was lunchtime, but I couldn't help but wonder if the busy atmosphere of the open kitchen would be the same at night. Nevertheless, I would love to visit again if I have the chance. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited this restaurant for a lunch meeting. The atmosphere was calm and elegant, making it a perfect place for a date or special occasion. The Italian menu offered a variety of dishes including meat, fish, and pasta, all of which were satisfying and delicious, with tasty sauces and dressings. The vegetables were fresh and there was a wide selection to enjoy.

The interior was lovely and the course I reserved was delicious. It had been a while since my friends and I gathered, and we had a great time chatting. However, there was a delay in starting the course as we were not asked to choose our salad or main dish beforehand. The payment reminder came when we were having dessert, and when we left our seats to pay, we were told to wait in the cold because of the next reservation. It made me feel sad. I will not be visiting again.

I made a reservation through Tabelog and used it for lunch. The course includes a choice of salad or bagna cauda, soup, pasta, bread, dessert, and a post-meal drink. The salad looked very delicious, so I ordered that. There were two pasta options, and I chose the Amatriciana. The salad, with a variety of vegetables, was very tasty. It was perfect for balsamic lovers. The pasta and other dishes were also delicious. However, there was nothing that really stood out or impressed me.

I went there for lunch. After eating a lot, the bill added up to a decent amount. It's a classy, upscale restaurant with an adult atmosphere. It might be nice for special occasions. The taste is delicate and delicious. The portion size is good too, enough for a man to feel satisfied up to about 80% full.