タキトゥス
Travel in Kansai. Next, I headed to Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. I transferred to the San'in Main Line from Kyoto Station. It takes about 30 minutes by train to reach Kameoka Station. It's about a 15-minute walk from there. There are some shops around Kameoka Station, but this particular restaurant is located in a residential area. There is greenery around the restaurant, and it doesn't seem like a place where tourists would visit, at least not the locals. Why did I go out of my way to visit this restaurant in such a location? It was because it had been featured on TV before. Apparently, it's a favorite spot of Ayumi Kaihori, a member of the World Cup-winning team of the former Nadeshiko Japan. Being a bit of a fan, I had it on my list to visit. I arrived on a Saturday evening around 5 pm. It's a single-story restaurant surrounded by greenery, giving it a cozy feel. The bright wall colors give it a fancy vibe. Upon entering, the staff greeted me. It seemed like the evening session started at 5 pm, and there didn't seem to be any other customers yet. I mentioned that I was dining alone, and I was led to a table for two. The interior is bright and has a fancy decoration, catering more towards women, I'd say. It can be a bit awkward for a lone guy... I looked at the menu. The dinner menu includes spaghetti, pizza, doria, and cheese, with an Italian vibe, but they also offer paella. This time, I was there for the paella. The seafood paella was Ayumi Kaihori's favorite menu item as featured. I asked the staff if it would be too much for one person, and they said it's okay if it's just the dish. So, I ordered the seafood paella (2000 yen) as a single item, and also requested a draft beer. Since it's paella, it takes a bit of time. Maybe about 15 minutes of waiting. They set a solid fuel stand on the table, which allows you to keep the dish warm and enjoy it freshly without it getting cold. The seafood paella had shrimp, squid, scallops, clams, along with paprika, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables, making it quite luxurious. The rice absorbed the essence of the seafood, and it was slightly crispy and delicious. The rice, infused with flavors from various ingredients, was the best part. I switched to white wine halfway through. It had a refreshing taste and was slightly dry. It didn't interfere with the meal, which was great. But the best part was the service provided by the staff. The young staff members, both male and female, were polite, humble, and well-trained. They treated me kindly, even as a lone male customer. The menu had a wide variety of options, with various sharing options for groups. It's a restaurant that I would like to visit with a group next time.