tomoseipapa
Lunch at an Italian bar located just 100m southeast of Kyoto Minami-za. Today, I have to work on a Saturday due to a meeting with a new client in Gion. I arrived a bit early and happened to find this place while looking for lunch. The restaurant has a very chic and stylish interior with a counter for 8 on the first floor and table seating on the second floor. The young master, who seems to be the owner, greets you like a bartender, making you feel very welcome with his friendly and enjoyable conversation. The customers at the table on the second floor were having such a great time that laughter filled the air. The background music was a relaxing jazz piano trio.
During lunchtime, they offer a lunch set where you can choose from 5 main dishes, each served with salad, 2 appetizers, and soup. Homemade focaccia bread is also included. Today, I tried the "Herb Breaded Chicken Thigh" lunch set for 1,000 yen (tax included). First, a plate with soup and salad was brought to the table. The warm potato potage soup had a refreshing and gentle taste, while the salad was mainly made of watercress with French dressing. Next, two appetizers were served. The first was Mortadella sausage with pistachios, which was thick, spicy, and delicious. The second was a frittata with zucchini, which had a light taste and texture. The focaccia bread was crispy and tasty, though a bit small. The main dish of herb breaded chicken thigh was cooked to perfection, juicy, and flavorful.
Overall, it was a leisurely lunch experience. Not recommended for those with limited time, but I had plenty of time and enjoyed the meticulous cooking and attentive service. After settling the bill, the master even walked me outside and when I mentioned that I was planning to go to the nearby inari sushi shop called Tsuri Kitsune, he kindly warned me about the rich broth in their inari sushi, saying I might "drown" in it. I thanked him and left the restaurant feeling impressed by the excellent service. It was a delightful experience from start to finish. Highly recommended! 2022.1.22