La Post (Tapas/French/Italian)

3-3-14 Motoyama Kita cho Higashinada-ku, Kobe/078-452-8766/11:00-15:30,17:30-21:30/¥3000/6 pickles/¥

The tapas wave breaks in Okamoto.

The global "Tapas" tsunami has finally broken on the shores of Kansai and washed up as far as the slopes of Okamoto. Twenty years ago La Post was a tiny French bistro favored by the local college students (including yours truly). But on a recent visit I was pleased to find the place transformed, with dishes ranging from 200 to 500 yean, including the likes of "artichoke in olive oil", "sun-dried tomato in olive oil", "ratatouille", "hot potato with chilli sauce", "fried calamari", and "tortilla (Spanish omlette)". They also have paella, grills, pasta and pizza. Although most dishes appear as indistinguishable smudges, a photo menu takes some of the mystery out of ordering. We sampled several tapas dishes, one grill dish, one pasta dish and, of course, a pitcher of sangria. The service was perfunctory and the surrealist murals on the wall are not for everyone; but the food was quite satisfactory and filling. At 3000 yen apiece, one cannot complain - unless of course you are unlucky enough to be seated, as we were, at the counter where an overbearing odor is emitted by dangling legs of mouldering ham. There is a limit to how far rustic touches should be taken. Nevertheless we'll be pleased to try this place again soon.

Food: 6.5 Service: 6 Ambience: 5 Total: 6 pickles

How to get there: It's on Yamate Kansen road. Get off at Hankyu Okamoto Stn or JR Settsu Motoyama. Go to Yamate Kansen road and walk for 5 minutes towards East. It's on you right side. Map

Restaurant Thais (French)

Paseo Ashiya 1F, 6-22 Higashi Ashiya-cho, Ashiya/0797-32-1110/11：30～14：00&17:30-21:00(L.O)/Closed Wed/¥6000-10000/6.5 pickles/¥¥¥

Ashiya madams' favorite French. (This could be a compliment...)

It is sometimes said that restaurants are polished by their clientele. If so, it suggests the many Ashiya madams who reportedly come here (mainly for lunch and tea/cofee) may not be quite as genteel as they appear. But such is Ashiya. The food at Thais, though elegant and admittedly good, is not so authentic either and, though accomplished, ultimately lacks impact. The service and lighting were a bit off too; though the service improved on our second visit.

Since we had heard that the chef likes to use fresh seafood from local markets near the sea, we tried his seafood dish (poile of red snapper, greek style eggplant with red pepper sauce). We also tried dishes such as "boiled vegetables with Onsen egg and procuitto (1600yen)", "Ravioli of mushrooms, foie gras flavored (2000yen)", and "roasted French pigeon, foie gras flavored (3000yen)". All are not heavy, not too salty but not bland, light and pleasant.
The dinner course A(5500yen): Amuse-gueule,　entree (choose from 5), fish from the market, poilee of veal loin with foie gras, dessert (choose from 6 such as warm chocola fondant with saffran ice cream) and coffee. They have a 3800 yen course as well as the evening full course which is 8000 yen.

Food: 6.5 Service: 6.5 Ambience: 6 Total: 6.5 pickles

Japanese/French

How to get there: Get off at Hankyu Ashiya Station. There's a bridge to cross over the river. When you cross the river, you see the building on your left. The restaurant is on the first floor. They have parking for 6 cars.