Note: Due to the 20-image restriction, I couldn’t provide close-up pictures of each dish served during the course.
Price: $190USD, Dinner, Dec’23
Location: Central Kyoto
Counter Seats.
Wonderful multi-course dinner! There were ~15 courses, consisting of 29 “dishes” + 1 complementary starter drink (alcoholic/non-alcoholic) + 1 ending drink (coffee/tea). WOW!!!!!!
The restaurant’s interior ambiance is minimalist, characterized by a predominant white color scheme that radiates an elegant and clean atmosphere, designed to draw diners’ focus to the beautifully presented dishes—an aspect highlighted by the owner/chef.
The seating arrangement resembles a bar-like setting, creating a “theatrical” atmosphere where all seats face the cooking table in front, which served as the “center stage”.
The menu seamlessly blends Japanese and Italian influences, offering a fusion of the two cuisines. The dishes were very beautifully and artistically presented, forming a visual spectacle that captivates the eye, truly breathtaking and perfect for Instagram-worthy photos. The beauty of these culinary creations was further brought out by the restaurant’s white minimalist design.
Each dish is innovatively created with a seamless blend of flavors that complement each other perfectly, resulting in a delicious culinary experience*. The dishes unfold as a vibrant display of colors and forms, keeping us eagerly waiting for the next delightful surprise, much like the anticipation for the next “act” in a captivating performance.
*Note: The first appetizer was crafted with a QR code, enabling you to scan and view the dinner menu.
A diverse array of seasonal ingredients were used, culminating a rich and flavorful dining experience. Fortunately, we visited during white truffle season and had the pleasure of savoring it. White truffles were shaved in front of us over the spaghetti, infusing their unique aroma and flavor into the dish, elevating it to an exquisite culinary delight. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by just how delicious they tasted and how delightful the aroma of the dish was. As evident in the pictures above, Chef Takayama is very generous with the amount of truffles used in the dish.
Chef Takayama and his team were welcoming, providing a very friendly, relaxed, and comfortable atmosphere; They were adept in conversational English. They took the time to engage with and get to know each diner, creating a refreshing lack of formality typically found in Michelin-starred restaurants. This made for a truly delightful dining experience. Furthermore, during quiet moments, the staffs would initiate conversation, removing any potential awkwardness while waiting for the next course.
All dishes, along with the ingredients used, were explained in clear and understandable English; better than most restaurants.
During my visit, the restaurant was fully booked, with a maximum of 12 guests, if I recall correctly. The majority of diners were foreigners, primarily all Asian, with few locals present.
Cost to Performance: The CP value is exceptional. While the price maybe somewhat high at $190, the quality of the food, both in terms of ingredients and taste, is outstanding. Additionally, the volume of offerings is remarkable, with almost 30 dishes served. We, along with other diners, couldn’t finish the final dessert, comprising of 16 small treats; however, they graciously packaged the remaining items for take-away.
Definitely one of my top meals during my stay in the Kansai Region (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe).
Personal Rating 9.5/10. Takayama offers an unforgettable dining experience that captivates both the senses of taste and sight. The food, experience, and service here are of such exceptional quality that I wouldn’t be surprised if they were awarded a 2-star rating in the future. Therefore, I highly recommend this restaurant!!!
PLEASE COME WITH AN EMPTY STOMACH!!!
PapaOxy on
Looks incredible!
androidsheep92 on
Woww. This looks quite a bit more impressive than a 1*
But then again, a few of my all time favorite restaurants in Japan aren’t even in the Michelin guide haha
etymoticears on
I went here a few months ago. The food was fantastic but I thought the interactions with the staff were excruciating. I was trying talk to my wife but would be repeatedly interrupted by the wait staff asking over and over again how long we were in Japan for and if it was our first time in Japan and if we were enjoying Japan. My wife and I both agreed this spoiled the evening as, not wishing to be rude, we had to make endless extremely boring small talk with the young wait staff. They just wouldn’t stop it, even when we started studiously avoiding eye contact with them. It was dreadful.
4 Comments
Note: Due to the 20-image restriction, I couldn’t provide close-up pictures of each dish served during the course.
Price: $190USD, Dinner, Dec’23
Location: Central Kyoto
Counter Seats.
Wonderful multi-course dinner! There were ~15 courses, consisting of 29 “dishes” + 1 complementary starter drink (alcoholic/non-alcoholic) + 1 ending drink (coffee/tea). WOW!!!!!!
The restaurant’s interior ambiance is minimalist, characterized by a predominant white color scheme that radiates an elegant and clean atmosphere, designed to draw diners’ focus to the beautifully presented dishes—an aspect highlighted by the owner/chef.
The seating arrangement resembles a bar-like setting, creating a “theatrical” atmosphere where all seats face the cooking table in front, which served as the “center stage”.
The menu seamlessly blends Japanese and Italian influences, offering a fusion of the two cuisines. The dishes were very beautifully and artistically presented, forming a visual spectacle that captivates the eye, truly breathtaking and perfect for Instagram-worthy photos. The beauty of these culinary creations was further brought out by the restaurant’s white minimalist design.
Each dish is innovatively created with a seamless blend of flavors that complement each other perfectly, resulting in a delicious culinary experience*. The dishes unfold as a vibrant display of colors and forms, keeping us eagerly waiting for the next delightful surprise, much like the anticipation for the next “act” in a captivating performance.
*Note: The first appetizer was crafted with a QR code, enabling you to scan and view the dinner menu.
A diverse array of seasonal ingredients were used, culminating a rich and flavorful dining experience. Fortunately, we visited during white truffle season and had the pleasure of savoring it. White truffles were shaved in front of us over the spaghetti, infusing their unique aroma and flavor into the dish, elevating it to an exquisite culinary delight. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by just how delicious they tasted and how delightful the aroma of the dish was. As evident in the pictures above, Chef Takayama is very generous with the amount of truffles used in the dish.
Chef Takayama and his team were welcoming, providing a very friendly, relaxed, and comfortable atmosphere; They were adept in conversational English. They took the time to engage with and get to know each diner, creating a refreshing lack of formality typically found in Michelin-starred restaurants. This made for a truly delightful dining experience. Furthermore, during quiet moments, the staffs would initiate conversation, removing any potential awkwardness while waiting for the next course.
All dishes, along with the ingredients used, were explained in clear and understandable English; better than most restaurants.
During my visit, the restaurant was fully booked, with a maximum of 12 guests, if I recall correctly. The majority of diners were foreigners, primarily all Asian, with few locals present.
Cost to Performance: The CP value is exceptional. While the price maybe somewhat high at $190, the quality of the food, both in terms of ingredients and taste, is outstanding. Additionally, the volume of offerings is remarkable, with almost 30 dishes served. We, along with other diners, couldn’t finish the final dessert, comprising of 16 small treats; however, they graciously packaged the remaining items for take-away.
Definitely one of my top meals during my stay in the Kansai Region (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe).
Personal Rating 9.5/10. Takayama offers an unforgettable dining experience that captivates both the senses of taste and sight. The food, experience, and service here are of such exceptional quality that I wouldn’t be surprised if they were awarded a 2-star rating in the future. Therefore, I highly recommend this restaurant!!!
PLEASE COME WITH AN EMPTY STOMACH!!!
Looks incredible!
Woww. This looks quite a bit more impressive than a 1*
But then again, a few of my all time favorite restaurants in Japan aren’t even in the Michelin guide haha
I went here a few months ago. The food was fantastic but I thought the interactions with the staff were excruciating. I was trying talk to my wife but would be repeatedly interrupted by the wait staff asking over and over again how long we were in Japan for and if it was our first time in Japan and if we were enjoying Japan. My wife and I both agreed this spoiled the evening as, not wishing to be rude, we had to make endless extremely boring small talk with the young wait staff. They just wouldn’t stop it, even when we started studiously avoiding eye contact with them. It was dreadful.