A trendy bistro in Kyoto Okazaki, located east of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and just before the Heian Shrine. Managed by a nearby wine shop, this bistro offers a selection of unique natural wines for enthusiasts to enjoy. The casual service and the renovated old Japanese house setting alone make it worth visiting, showcasing the value of Kyoto. The main dish this time is venison. The tender roasted venison is cooked perfectly as expected, and can even be enjoyed with just the salt on the side dish. The venison with jus and red wine sauce is a classic combination, with the addition of Japanese chili peppers giving it a Kyoto touch. The amuse-bouche course starts with a terrine of duck, which pairs well with the natural sparkling wine. The appetizer features squid, fresh mushrooms, and bonito flakes, all complementing the wine selection perfectly. The fish course is a white cream stew of pufferfish, which pairs excellently with a Burgundy Chardonnay. The chewiness of the pufferfish matches the creamy French sauce, creating a new and delightful sensation. The venison main course is prepared flawlessly. This bistro in a renovated old Japanese house in Kyoto Okazaki is a delightful experience. The lineup of natural wines is impressive, as expected from a bistro managed by a wine shop. It truly represents the modern Kyoto dining scene.

I was invited by a friend who loves natural wine for a casual drink. The place seems to be a French restaurant with a renovated traditional Japanese house vibe, perfect for evening wine bar use as well. We tried Italian sparkling wine and rosé, which were perfect for sipping slowly. It could be a great spot for a date.

After having dinner, we visited a second restaurant. The atmosphere was very nice, with spacious seating that allowed for a relaxing wine-drinking experience. I forgot to take a photo, but we ordered some prosciutto, which was unlike any I had seen before. It had a unique texture and paired perfectly with the wine. I look forward to trying more dishes next time.

This is a restaurant run by a wine shop. The menu is à la carte, with not too many options, but you can feel the season and enjoy unique dishes like game meat and local ingredients. I asked the staff to recommend a wine for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, and they chose a wine made near Caorle with strong tannins. It seems that natural wines are the main focus, as there were many young female customers.

For starters, we had four different dishes. There were two types of seared fish, hummus with fig and tahini sauce, and fig with tahini sauce. Overall, the portions were quite generous, and I think three starters would have been enough. The best dish was the braised pork. While the menu had many creative and interesting dishes, I felt like they were missing something extra to make them stand out. The dessert, a firm pudding, was not bad on its own, but unfortunately, I didn't like the sauce. Maybe it's just not to my taste. It might appeal to others though.

It's a shame that the service is not very attentive after being seated at a large table with a group. Only the owner can explain about the wine, so it can't be helped. The lunch set comes with soup first, followed by a one-plate dish. The soup has a thick consistency, and the chosen main dish is not very large. The seasoning is very gentle. It might lack a bit of salt, but the flavors of the ingredients are good.

A stylish wine bistro located near Heian Shrine, combining traditional Kyoto townhouse architecture with French cuisine and natural wines. Enjoy a leisurely dinner while gazing at the illuminated garden. The Princess Burdock Sauce with wild boar evokes the strength of life and the earth.

I visited the bistro "Dupree" opened by the owner of the natural wine specialty store Ether Vine. Located on the west side of the Rome Theater, near the Biwako Sosui canal, this townhouse has been renovated into a stylish space with a relaxed atmosphere. The seating is spacious and comfortable, with a stylish layout and a small garden. The menu is primarily à la carte, but they also offer course options if requested in advance. I enjoyed: - Craft beer - Sparkling white and red wine - Rosé wine - White wine - Kyoto Tanba mozzarella and Kamigamo tomato salad - Whale carpaccio - Tanba Sasayama mainland deer cutlet - Pudding - Coffee - Herbal tea The food is simple and natural, with a focus on sourcing ingredients locally and cooking them in a simple manner. The whale meat was tender and had a rich flavor reminiscent of red meat. The deer cutlet, seasoned only with salt and pepper, had a mild and tender taste without any gamey flavor. I paired both dishes with red wine, as they complemented the flavors well. It was a delightful experience enjoying the marriage of food and wine at this restaurant that values a natural taste. As a side note, the staff at the restaurant were all very handsome (lol).

Last day of the Kyoto tour. Feeling a bit tired. Let's have some wine before heading back. The pasta was so-so, but the exterior and interior of the restaurant made up for it. I don't think there's a place like this in Kobe. Why are Kyoto and Kobe so different? I wonder if this kind of place would be accepted in Kyoto? I feel like the image of Kobe students is smart, while Kyoto students are more art-oriented, and that seems to reflect in the dining scene. Bringing a Kobe restaurant to Kyoto or vice versa seems impossible. Luckily, we found a really nice atmosphere at this last restaurant. Thank you very much!!

Located in a charming machiya townhouse on the west side of the Rohm Theatre, across from the Biwako Sosui canal and a road in Kyoto's Okazaki area, this restaurant offers a satisfying a la carte dining experience surrounded by the greenery of a small garden and the warmth of wood. I visited in late November 2018, intrigued by the fact that it was a new branch of "Ether Vine," a prominent player in Kyoto's wine scene. Upon entering without a reservation, I was warmly greeted by a friendly man and woman who assured me that solo diners were welcome. I was the only customer at the time, allowing me to choose a table by the window and peruse the menu. The menu featured French-inspired dishes categorized into appetizers, simmered dishes, charcoal-grilled dishes, and fried items, all with a local touch. The main dining area consisted of tables, with a small standing counter available as well. The ambiance was enhanced by subtle lighting, creating a beautiful space. The table was set with chopsticks, forks, and Perseval 9.47 glasses. I ordered three dishes and was helped with wine selection. The first dish I ordered was the Boudin Noir for 600 yen, paired with a natural wine called "Saulo Maule Gran Selva" from Veneto, made with four types of grapes. It had a rich and deep flavor profile. Next, I tried the Roasted Potatoes and Pancetta for 1400 yen, paired with a red wine called "Massa Vecchio BATONE." The wine had a robust and deep taste that complemented the unsalted potatoes and salty pancetta perfectly. Lastly, I ordered the Spiced Stewed Honshu Deer with Couscous for 1800 yen, which was slightly underwhelming but still delicious, especially when paired with the red wine recommended to me. The owner and staff, particularly the male owner who mainly served me, were friendly and provided attentive service. The cozy atmosphere made me feel so comfortable that time flew by quickly. The chef, who incorporates Japanese elements into French cuisine, uses ingredients from places like Hasunuma Farm, Miyama, and Tanba Sasayama, focusing on local game and quality ingredients. The bill for three dishes and three glasses of wine (each ranging from 1100 to 1300 yen) came to the 7000 yen range. Despite not being a high-end establishment, the wines were rich and flavorful, making the visit well worth it. This dinner in late November was a delightful experience, and I recommend this high-quality restaurant to not only locals but also visitors to the Okazaki area, near the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art and Heian Shrine. "Ether Vine," known for its exceptional natural wines, has opened a promising new restaurant that primarily caters to pairs but also welcomes solo diners with warmth and hospitality.

Oh! A restaurant I visited a year ago! Breaking the rules and posting a review now haha. When I first went, the place wasn't on Tabelog yet, so I was waiting for someone to add it. I had forgotten about this place until now. I saw it in a magazine and thought maybe it's on Tabelog now. Turns out it was, so I decided to post a review. The restaurant is near Heian Shrine and has a cool atmosphere. They serve unique dishes and the drinks are from the same management as the wine specialty store Edelwein. I recommend asking for wine pairings! The wine selection was perfect for the dishes. Both the wine and the food were delicious. I forgot the prices since it's an old story.

We had two bottles of wine and spent around 33,000 yen for two people. The food was delicious and they also recommended great wines. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was excellent, and the music selection was also good.

The lighting was dark so the photos are not great, but the food was delicious! Everything was stylish and nicely presented. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was also nice. I couldn't find the menu anywhere and thought it was only a set course, but it turned out to be à la carte.

I have visited several times and each time the menu is different and very enjoyable. All the dishes are exquisite and I always end up ordering too much.

The customer service was good. The wine pairing was excellent, especially the use of acidity that matched well with the natural wine.

The cooking is simple but the best because the ingredients are good, all of them are rustic but very delicious. I prefer the venison sauté to be cooked a little more, with salt added during cooking.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was stylish and the mackerel was very delicious, but I may have had too high expectations. If it's this kind of atmosphere, I might prefer Sanbongi. However, it was a wonderful restaurant.