Oku

The green tea parfait was the best desert I had in Japan so far. I especially liked the contrasts it had, some pieces cold, some warmer, some crunchy, others soft, some parts like jelly, other parts are like a pudding. I also had a green tea latterl, it was ver good too. I am taking a star because the ambiance is a bit cold for my taste. I like the fact that Norah Jones is playing at though at an impossible to hear volume. The décor is plain and simple, perhaps it would look warmer if the room remaining half of the tables were occupied.

It’s hard to find but worth the search. I have neither the time nor means for Miyamasou, but I will gladly accept a preview.
The Braised Bonito Tataki is pretty with its fresh char, the Tofu is an interesting, gelatinous texture with a great infusion of herbs. The trout with miso really brings out its flavor, and Bonito reappears in boiled form next to a chewy bamboo shoot.
I would have been happy with just the lunch, but there’s a bonus dessert at the end. The Yomogi ice cream with sweet red beans is sweet ending to an even sweeter meal.
One day I’ll try the famous Miyamasou. Until then, Oku is hardly a settle.

Very good, perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner. The set menu is simple and great to try many small portion of food. Highly recommend for intimate dinner.

Simple, quiet place for a pre-​dinner drink. We were the only ones at the bar for about an hour.

Small dishes kaiseki style. Very nice ume set menu for 3800 yen. The sweet sake was very refreshing. The miso sansho grilled salmon was a highlight, as were the cabbage chicken soup (try it with the japanese pepper powder) and the rice flour dumplings. Also tried the 5500 yen menu with steak/​duck option; the steak was not too tough and went well with pink salt, while the duck was flavorful and lovingly marinated in soy. The deep fried onion with miso mustard sauce was divine! The sets themselves were not incredibly filling, though!

Three menu sets Friday n 3800¥ to 7500¥. Good food. Small portions but many courses.
They serve sweet Sake with starter.
Nice seating with a view on a zen garden

Set in an 80-​year-​old machiya townhouse in Gion, the red-​light district of the ancient capital, Oku is an intimate find that possesses a few quirky touches; Patricia Urquiola’s Glove chairs and flower sinks make a surprise appearance.
HisatoNakahigashi owns Miyamasou ryokan which is one of Japan’s great dining destinations up in the forested Miyama mountains, 50mins drive from north of Kyoto. Meals go for US$ 400 per pax so super chuffed that he opened this café in Gion!
The original plan was to use this space as a retail outlet for a line of lacquerware that Nakahigashi designs with a young ceramicist ShojiroEndo– and it developed into a café because the chef wanted to let people test-​drive his plates and bowls!
Had roasted tea latte and yeppp-​it was the best one I’ve ever had-​made with tea leaves from Kyoto itself! Also had a hot dessert w chestnuts in it and it was my best non-​cake dessert during the whole trip, which is saying a lot since Japan is quintessential dessert land!