Noto Italian Guest House Flatt — Local services in Noto

Yes, we saw it on the TV show of Australian Food Icon Maggie Beer, so we can’t claim we sniffed out this truffle ourselves...but, we can say our bit to encourage others to venture to this quiet, very essentially provincial Japanese region, famed for its ancient traditions of producing umami-rich fermented and preserved local produce.||Chikako is Japanese, from the region, and from a family renowned for its hospitality and deep knowledge of the traditional food of the area. Ben is an Aussie chef from a patchwork cooking history. Happily for all of us they met, and Ben embraced the heritage of food and hospitality of Chikako’s family. The fusion of their relationship, as well as producing two kids (whose photos on the restaurant walls help evoke the feeling that you are a family guest in this house), has resulted in a unique fusion of Australian/Italian/Japanese food. A small, well-chosen wine list supports a degustation menu which is exceptionally well-balanced, and introduces inventive but deeply satisfying flavours and textures. Ben and Chikako know all their producers, they grow much of it themselves, and their store of pickles and preserves is a well used resource, lending deep and interesting notes to almost every dish.||The accomodation is homely, very comfortable, and the welcome and service is completely authentic.||We were incredibly lucky and our arrival co-incided with Ben guiding the children of an old school friend around the Noto district. We were able to join in this tour and Ben took us all to a local market, a wonderful lacquer artisan (all Ben’s food is served in beautiful local dishes), and the fascinating salt farms and rice terraces on the coast. Ben was an incredible source of information about the food and culture he has embraced, including the culture of Lantern festivals. Next time, we will have to time our visit with festival season, maybe we will get to see Ben joining with his neighbours to shoulder the impossibly tall, spectacularly decorated lanterns. That will be just fine so long as we still get to...

Yes, we saw it on the TV show of Australian Food Icon Maggie Beer, so we can’t claim we sniffed out this truffle ourselves...but, we can say our bit to encourage others to venture to this quiet, very essentially provincial Japanese region, famed for its ancient traditions of producing umami-rich fermented and preserved local produce.||Chikako is Japanese, from the region, and from a family renowned for its hospitality and deep knowledge of the traditional food of the area. Ben is an Aussie chef from a patchwork cooking history. Happily for all of us they met, and Ben embraced the heritage of food and hospitality of Chikako’s family. The fusion of their relationship, as well as producing two kids (whose photos on the restaurant walls help evoke the feeling that you are a family guest in this house), has resulted in a unique fusion of Australian/Italian/Japanese food. A small, well-chosen wine list supports a degustation menu which is exceptionally well-balanced, and introduces inventive but deeply satisfying flavours and textures. Ben and Chikako know all their producers, they grow much of it themselves, and their store of pickles and preserves is a well used resource, lending deep and interesting notes to almost every dish.||The accomodation is homely, very comfortable, and the welcome and service is completely authentic.||We were incredibly lucky and our arrival co-incided with Ben guiding the children of an old school friend around the Noto district. We were able to join in this tour and Ben took us all to a local market, a wonderful lacquer artisan (all Ben’s food is served in beautiful local dishes), and the fascinating salt farms and rice terraces on the coast. Ben was an incredible source of information about the food and culture he has embraced, including the culture of Lantern festivals. Next time, we will have to time our visit with festival season, maybe we will get to see Ben joining with his neighbours to shoulder the impossibly tall, spectacularly decorated lanterns. That will be just fine so long as we still get to...

We visited the Noto Peninsular and seen the good reviews about Flatt's. We didn't managed to get a booking so we decided to go to Flatt's this trip just to check out on the food and place so that we can book for our next year trip. At the front door, there's no one at all and we kept on saying 'excuse me in Japanese" so that we can speak to someone.||||When we finally found someone who speaks English, we asked whether the restaurant open and whether we could have lunch here and gather some information. The lady was so uptight and unpleasant telling us that they only take reservations without further information.||||While we understand that we have to make reservation in advance and we didn't do it, this is just an add hoc thingy. We felt like an intruder and shouldn't be there at all. We were practically escort to the front door! ||||We were really disappointed. I am not sure whether they want to more reservations or chasing people away. One thing for sure, I will never...