Ishibekoji Mamecha Kyoto — Restaurant in Kyoto

Overall, we had a fantastic dinner here. The service is absolutely top notch: Friendly, attentive and helpful in explaining the myriad of dishes. Also, very kind and forgiving to our tired and somewhat antsy kids.

All of the food was delicious. The opening set of small dishes were as Kyoto as it gets, and each one offering a unique flavor profile that set off the diversity right from the start. The sashimi was a standout, as was the steamed egg with dashi and clams, and the steak with sansho sauce. For the latter, the sauce was perhaps just a bit too mild, not really having much of that expected sansho tingle. A minor complaint.

My least favorite dish was the salmon katsu with tartar sauce, as it felt a bit out of character to the rest of the meal. It was still delicious of course.

The sea bream rice, accompanied by tsukemono and miso soup was also excellent. Great depth of flavor here as well. A nice matcha dessert finished off the excellent meal.

Will add that setting Ishibeikoji is pretty magical, and the interior was quite relaxing...

If you're serious about going here make sure your Google Maps is functional, because the restaurant's dimly lit alleyway (while reminiscent of old Kyoto) is a challenge to locate at night. It is well worth the trek. The fish is fresh and expertly prepared - on par with exclusive restaurants in Tokyo. But the menu is half the price of places with similar standards. How do they achieve this excellent value? I was happy for it to remain a mystery, because there was not a bad course in our 8-course menu. The decor of the bar area (make sure you are seated there -- downstairs) is modern and clean while at the same time warm and cozy. This makes the whole experience relaxing. You do not feel like you'e in a fish-art laboratory or a museum of food, which is what some of Japan's nicer restaurants can feel like. There's a buzzy atmosphere with some people having a glass of wine after work, and others mid-way through a...

We chose this restaurant for dinner in Kyoto and it was the best decision of our stay in this city.

The restaurant is located in a beautiful and slightly hidden alley of Gion, which gives it an amazing atmosphere. The food was delicious, with a mix of fish, meat and vegetables. We ordered the mandarin wine and the sake with it, which were very tasty too. Last but not least, the service was amazing! The young lady who hosted our night was very welcoming and sweet. It was a night to remember!

Note: we made a reservation...