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

GOZO (Spanish Tapas)

Hiraichi Building 1F, 1-6-11 Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka/06-6204-6606/15:00-27:00/Yen 2500-5000/6 pickles /¥¥

Ole Ole Ole. a real tapas bar amid office buildings in Osaka.

All too often, Japanese attempts to import food concepts result in abomination. But Gozo has succeeded in bringing Tapas to Osaka. Your first hint is 4 or 5 Serrano hams hanging over the counter. The second is the several pans of different(!) paella. The third is the impassable throng of customers jamming this casual, narrow bar space. It's bit hard to find, but if you are working in Osaka, it is worth searching out. We went at 6:00 pm on a Tuesday and were surprised by the crowd. There are not many stools on which to sit, and none that are a safe distance from the constant traffic of sizzling dishes. But as long as you are not averse to crowds, or eating while standing up, Gozo may be an option. It is great before dinner, for a light supper, or after an unsatisfying dinner portion somewhere else. Why. they even have a good selection of Spanish wines and sherries. Tapas ranges from 300 to 2000. Be careful, it adds up!

Food: 7 Service: 5 Ambience: 6 Total: 6 pickles

Bilingual menu Spanish/Japanese.

How to get there: Get off at No5 Exit of Sakaisuji-sen Kitahama Stan (This takes you in front of Mitsukoshi Dept Store). Walk two blocks down South and turn left at Hirano-cho 1 crossing (You can see San-in Godo Bank on the opposite side of the street). It's on the second block on your right. If you're from Midosuji, turn left at Hirano-machi 3 crossing (mid-point between Yodoyabashi and Honmachi) and go 7 or 8 blocks. It's on your right.

Carbon (Spanish)

Sumitomo Shoji Yodoyabashi Bldg 1F, 4-4-12 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka/06-6220-4848/11:30-14:00&17:30-24:00/Closed on Sunday/Yen 6000-10000/7 pickles /¥¥¥

Even jet-setters spoiled by stylish restaurants of major international cities may feel pleased with this new Spanish restaurant in downtown Osaka.

El Poniente "Carbon" is in Yodoyabashi, an office area one block from Midosuji -- not a first class location for restaurants. But, step inside and you may breath a sigh of relief, as we did, to at last find a bustling, grown-up crowd in a room with a sophisticated international sensibility. At least there is one place in Western Japan where being worldly has an edge over young and cute (or at least so we would like to think).

Carbon offers no non-sense Spanish food with an emphasis on grills. Try Jamon Serrano(Spanish ham) or Quesa manchego (cheese) while you are waiting for them to sear something. The house pates are particularly good with the tasty Spanish wine selection. We had grilled quail, grilled vegetables (served with anchovy/black olive sauce), and grilled beef (oven-roasted and lightly warmed in olive oil just before being served). All dishes were quickly washed down with a warm Spanish red. Carbon offers 4500 yen and 7500 yen courses, but we found the a la carte approach rewarding. For the sporting, there is a standing/mingling bar, of the sort that is all but impossible to find in Japan, where one can wait for a date - or trade-up if made to wait too long.

Food: 8 Service: 6 Ambience: 7 Total: 7 pickles

Bilingual menu Spanish/Japanese.

How to get there: It's behind Sumitomo Bldg in Yodoyabashi. Get off at No.10 Exit of Subway Yodoyabashi Stn. Walk two blocks towards South (to Shinsaibashi direction) and turn Right. Turn left at the first corner and it's on your right.