Ikariya Shokudo Kyo-machiya Townhouse Bistro — Restaurant in Kyoto

This is a place that you want to make a reservation for. The staff are very easy to talk to a d if you need someone who speaks English they will have someone available.

When trying to find the restaurant the front is very unassuming. Look for the name on a plate that has an anchor and steering wheel. The entrance is a Japanese style walk down a small pathway to the door where you will be greeted by staff and have any coats taken from you to hang up.

We went on a Friday night and spent less that 10,000 for two people (without drinks). There is an English menu available for both the special and the regular menu. All of the entrees and appatizers seemed to be made for two. We started with a stake tartar and then a cheese plate (We discovered a new cheese from Norway which is now one I will actively seek out), followed by the cheese soufle and the duck breast. To finish we had the black tea pound cake with pistachio gelato on top. There was also bread and butter provided (refills were a nominal fee)

Every dish was amazing and at a reasonable price. The service was relaxed and gave you a lot of time to enjoy the ambiance and talk. We will be looking to return...

Booked a table for 3 at 8:30pm. Arrived at 8:30pm, cute table with river view. Nice helpful waiter. Ordered 3 starters, a pasta dish, a risotto and a main. And a bottle of wine. Food was great, service was attentive...super happy. Still on the pasta dish when advised that it was last orders - including for desserts. Fine, no problems. The bill arrived as we were still eating the main course...(luckily we hadn't ordered dessert!) Still fine, no worries. At 10:05pm, another waiter arrived to say the restaurant was closing, please leave. We had finished eating our main dish but the plates were still on the table and we had a little wine left. 'Fine' we said, just finishing up our wine and we're off. 'No' he said. We close at 10, so please leave now. What??!! I asked why nobody had said we had to be physically out by 10. His answer: it's clearly marked on our website. It probably is, I don't know. I don't check all details.

For the sake of 10 minutes drinking up time, that single waiter turned a really nice evening into a confrontation, leaving a super bad taste in our mouths.

My 2 Japanese friends...

The atmosphere was great but we wished they were friendlier to tourists. We were turned away even though a large group left. This was 40 min before their closing time. They kept giving us the X hand sign. At first, we thought it was due to us not having reservation. My Japanese friend explained that not all restaurants welcome non-Japanese speaking. Sadly we left...