イタリアンレストラン DODICI — Restaurant in Kyoto

This is an unparalleled dining experience that we will never forget, even though it has been almost a month. On the day we went for lunch, it was drizzling with a fine rain, which made us quite uncomfortable. The waiter saw us arriving from the window and immediately came out with an umbrella to greet us. They helped us with our coats and then led us to the warm fireplace, where they served us hot tea that instantly warmed our bodies and hearts.

The food, from the freshness of the ingredients to the perfect pairing of sauces, was absolutely exquisite. Even the choice of tableware showed great thoughtfulness. Mr. Takeaki selected an interesting Italian white wine for us, which changed in taste as the temperature and time passed, creating a memorable experience. Mr. Takeaki shared with us the origin of the restaurant's name, their experience during COVID, the unique characteristics of the wines, and the chef's inspirations behind the food. Sometimes, when he couldn't remember certain English words, he would tilt his head and make adorable expressions while trying his best to convey his thoughts.

The restaurant had an elegant and comfortable environment, offering a high level of privacy. The chef and the waitstaff provided passionate and attentive food and service. Here, you can truly feel the charm of Kyoto, where both the people and the food are top-notch. I hope you can have the same experience as me! Once again, thank you Dodici for all. And wish...

Dodici was an odd restaurant. I was confused from the moment we walked in. Asked to wait in two lonely chairs facing a window overlooking a tree, I wanted a cocktail or something to occupy our time. Instead, I stared at the tree. After 20 minutes past our reservation time, we were escorted upstairs to the mostly empty dining room. The matître’d/manager was a lovely man who tried to speak English as best he could. We don’t speak a word of Japanese, so the onus was on us. Communication was difficult. The maître’d was attentive all night and did everything he could to please. I wanted a cocktail in the worst way, and if not a cocktail, at least sake. It was not meant to be. My wife had a lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Pessac-Leognan, and I had plumb wine on the rocks. That isn’t the martini I craved. The menu at Dodici is a degustation, and the multiple dishes began to arrive. I was expecting Italian food, pasta, maybe veal, etc. Nope. Dodici served creative Japanese-inspired, cosmopolitan dishes, with only a hint of Italian. My wife enjoyed the dinner more than me. I only appreciated one or two of the dishes. Dodici’s food disappointed, but the space, the serving pieces, and the service was fantastic. If the array of dishes included truffle pasta buttons, I might be singing its praises, unfortunately, the food was very mediocre, especially with a final bill of $385.00 U.S. C’est la vie. Oops,...

My husband and I went to Dodici on our trip to Kyoto and it exceeded expectations. Service with Takeaki (manager & sommelier) was impeccable. The cool blend of local Japanese ingredients with Italian cooking styles resulted in some very innovative dishes. It's generally true that many dishes have origins in other cuisines and are inherently “fusion”. Chef Omoto took us through a culinary adventure, as we tasted things we never expect to go together on a plate. Yet all the flavors and textures were well-balanced. Do get the...