April 07, 2004
Masaya (Yakitori)
3 locations in Nishinomiya, 2 each in Ashiya and Kobe (see link below for locations and opening hours) / Yen 3000 / no credit cards / 6 pickels / ¥
Extremely popular Yakitori chain in the Kobe area
Dining at Masaya is a noisy and entertaining affair. Once you enter the place, you feel like Scotti beamed you into rural Japan. Masaya has a rustic, but attractive and cozy ambience, with waiters shouting the orders to the cooks. But not so fast. Usually after entering, you have to go out once more to find your place in the queue outside. Because at least the 2 Ashiya restaurants are always packed. Fortunately we never had to wait for too long. And I would never wait if it wasn't worth it.
Having eaten in numerous Yakitori-yas, I can happily confirm that this is my favorite. Such places are rarely a fine dining affair, and Masaya isn't either. But everything we were served was hearty and tasty. And if you feel the taste still isn't strong enough, then your savior comes in form of their fabulous sauce, which is better avoided if you are afraid of bothering people with your smell the following day.
Ordering at Masaya is simple. On your table you will find a pen and some copies of the menu, on which you simply indicate how many orders of one dish you would like to have. This menu is also available in English. Once you push the call button, the waiter will arrive at lightning speed to collect your order.
So far we've only dined at the 2 Ashiya restaurants, but for those we can say that there is hardly any noticeable difference in any area. We are unaware if the same can be said for the other 5 places, hence comments are welcome.
Food: 6 Service: 6 Ambience: 6.5 Total: 6 pickles
One note of caution - the linked Website says credit cards are accepted, but we had painful first hand experience to the contrary...
February 07, 2004
Genti Osier (French)
Ijincan Club Part II 1 F, Kitano, Kobe / 078-231-2815 / Yen 12000 / 7.5 pickles / ¥¥¥
Fine French Dining in Kitano
Genti Osier is not related to Tokyo's No. 1 French Restaurant L'Osier, but seems to have borrowed from it. Dining at Genti Osier is a rather solemn affair, in a quiet and homely ambience where you feel comfortable.
The food is first rate. You may order a la carte, but most people opt for one of the set menus, priced at Yen 6000, 8000, 10000 and 12000 (surprise menu). All include an amuse geule, appetizer, fish course, meat course, cheese and dessert, but the more expensive menus include the 'finer things' like foie gras. Some of the starters were excellent, but we were a bit disappointed with the main course. Oddly it seems a common phenomenon among Kansai's fine dining spots that the main courses usually can't keep up in quality and especially creativity with the appetizers.
The wine list focuses on French wines, which we find a pity, since the best value is usually found among the new world selection. The service is professional and friendly.
One drawback at Genti Osier are the chairs (or stools), that are utterly uncomfortable and seem out of place in an otherwise up market and recommendable establishment.
Food: 7.5 Service: 8 Ambience: 7 Total: 7.5 pickles
Bilingual menu French/Japanese.
February 02, 2004
Brasserie Tooth Tooth
Dai-ya108 bldg. 3F, 108 Ito-cho Chuo-ku, Kobe/078-332-3052/11:00am-12:00pm/Yen 2000-5000/6 pickels /¥
A new lunch destination in Kobe Daimaru Area (Kyoryu-chi).
In an airy 3d floor loft with floor to ceiling windows atop a boxy yellow building in the east end of Kobe Kyoryu-chi can be found "Bistro Tooth Tooth." This stylish French brasserie offers an affordable pre-fix lunch \1200-\1800 and dinner menu (\2500-4500). In the evening, one may also order typical a la carte brasserie fare such as minestrone au pistou, navarin d'agneau, asparagus et courgettes, and salade au saumon cru. There is nothing exquisite about Tooth Tooth, and but for the name it is rather straightforward, yet it is a sensible refuge for weary shoppers (despite being more than a few paces out of the shopping district proper). Although the spacious balcony was closed during our winter visit, it looks like an excellent venue for a breezy summy night party - which Tooth Tooth will arrange for \3000 pp. The menu is in Japanese/French.
Food: 5 Service: 6 Ambience: 6 Total: 6 Pickels
HOW TO GET THERE: From Kobe Daimaru, take "Nakamachi dori" (a fashion street where you can see shops like GAP, Emporio Armani, Prada & Paul Stuart) and walk east toward the city hall (Flower Road) direction for 5 or 6 blocks. You'll see a big yellow/brown building on your right in the corner. There's a post office across the street on your left side. Click here to find a map on their site
July 28, 2003
Orfeu (French)*
The45th10F, 45 Harimacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe / 078-334-7622 / 11:30-14:30 / 17:30 - 21:30 (LO) / Yen 13000 / 8 pickels / ¥¥¥
Fine French Dining in a modern & stylish ambience next to Daimaru
After our first 2 visits we were confident of having discovered one haven for epicures. Creative French cuisine, almost flawlessly prepared and well presented in a modern and elegant ambience made this place our fine dining favorite. On our 3rd visit we weren't so sure any more. Obviously the fact that the place was packed, whereas on our previous visits it was quite empty, made a difference.
Even if the food at Orfeu might lack in consistency, it still is a 'Major League' player, with the great ambience and a professional service. For dinner you may select among 3 course menus priced at Yen 5000, 8000 or 12000, or a la carte. The wine list includes a good choice of reasonably priced bottles from both old and new world.
Bilingual menu French/Japanese. Some English spoken.
Food: 7.5 Service 8 Ambience: 8.5 Total: 8 pickels
HOW TO GET THERE: Watch out for GAP (1st floor) to the south-east of Daimaru Department Store. Orfeu is on the 10th floor.
Website: http://restaurant-orfeu.com/
July 26, 2003
The House of Pacific (Ethnic)
1-5-10 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe / 078-262-8180 / 18-23:00 / Yen 7000 / 7 pickels / ¥¥
Multicultural cuisine in a South Pacific setting in Kitano
The House of Pacific certainly has a southern feel to it. Warm colors, dimmed lights, wood. They call it South Pacific, some may call it SE-Asian. If you are wondering what exactly the ambience reminds you of, the menu will only add to your confusion. It's a 'wild' fusion of Western, SE-Asian and Japanese food.
You may order a la carte, but the course menus are a much better deal, starting from Yen 2500. We took the Yen 3500 course, which gives you a free choice of 2 appetizers, sushis or pastas, a main course and a dessert. The wine list is fairly large and includes rather decent ones by the glass too.
As confusing as the place may be, we were never disappointed. The food certainly is creative, also in presentation, and can be very good, though not always perfect. Add to this the great ambience and an attentative service, and you'll be amazed that you'll end up with a bill that keeps you wondering whether the waiter made a mistake.
English menu available. Some English spoken.
Food: 6.5 Service: 6.5 Ambience: 8 Total: 7 pickels
PS: This place is also a very popular wedding venue.