Enoteca Irodori — Local services in Kyoto

Highly recommended.

We had a fantastic time here eating Kushikatsu - deep fried meat and vegetables (even banana if you're feeling adventurous). While the food is deep fried, the batter is very light so it isn't such a heavy meal as you may expect. There are other items on the menu if you want to mix it up.

The restaurant serves tap beer and whisky and has a fantastic range of wines, including Bourgogne at good prices. The staff are very friendly, and we found everyone dining to be in a happy mood. We made friends with some of the customers. We also left our camera behind and the server came running down the street to give it back to us.

After a certain time of the night (perhaps midnight or a little earlier) the server takes over and it becomes his Italian restaurant! We were too full to try but the menu was surprisingly authentic and the food...

I absolutely loved Enoteca Irodori. Firstly, the atmosphere is fantastic. There was Japanese pop music playing quietly in the background, neat posters pinned to the walls, the space is comfortable and clean, even the uniqueness of the stoneware and hashi were expressive of a fun owner. We were able to walk in and be seated.

Our waiter (and owner, I believe) was so charming — they spoke English very well but I wish I spoke more Japanese to be able to get to know them better. The service was exceptional. There are menus in Japanese and English.

Finally, the star of the show was the food. It was my first time trying kushikatsu and I simultaneously had the wow factor of a new food experience while also feeling I was sitting down to eat obaachan’s specialty.

Combining all of these in one sitting made for one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve...

Muro-san. The ever-friendly and funny host. Our first experience with our neighbour obanzai kushiage-style dinner, Japanese “satay celup”, within an izakaya with friendly host. Skewer into a thick and rich tasty sauce full of umami.

Muro-san, an upbeat host, waiter, bartender, chef and manager, anxiously look at our face expression to see how good or bad the kushiage could be. It’s such a big relief to him when the Little Boy says “oishi, good good, can we come back again tomorrow?”

Nice countertop bar with huge selection of beer, wine and whisky. After a pint or 2 on-the-rock whisky, I wouldn’t be tired talking to him all night long, his English...