Onyva — Restaurant in Kyoto

I'd been eagerly anticipating a meal there, drawn in by glowing reviews and high ratings that promised an exceptional culinary experience. The journey to the restaurant itself built up that excitement even further.

However, all that anticipation evaporated the moment I pushed open the door. Before I could even take a step inside, a staff member (who I believe was the owner) immediately warned me that it was a smoking restaurant.

Ugh. The sheer frustration of traveling all that way, with my taste buds primed for a fantastic meal, only to be met with the prospect of dining in a cloud of cigarette smoke, was incredibly disheartening. In an age where non-smoking establishments are the norm, and with increasing awareness of the health impacts of secondhand smoke, it's genuinely baffling that a highly-rated restaurant would still operate as a smoking venue without clearly indicating it on their online profiles or reservation systems.

While I can't speak to the food itself, as I immediately turned around and left, this lack of transparency is a major detractor. For anyone sensitive to smoke or simply preferring a clean, fresh dining environment, this is a crucial piece of information that should be prominently displayed. My excitement quickly turned into a...

We were looking for a small bar to enjoy a couple of nice drinks post-dinner near our hotel and stumbled upon this place. Yoshi, the owner, speaks excellent English even though he might disagree. We had an engaging conversation with him while he showed us the different sakes and wines available. We both listened to his recommendations and were very pleased with our drink choices. Great drinks, reasonably priced, very nice "neighborhood" feel with the other guests and Yoshi's wife Kay showing up to help later on in the evening. Feels upscale without the price tag. We did not have any food but were able to watch Yoshi prepare it for other guests and it all looked and smelled excellent. Our original plan was to try a few different places that night but ended up spending all evening here it was...

A not so typically "Japanese" experience where the owner chef not only is willing, but in fact, enjoys creating something "not exactly" as presented on the menu. Delicious, Creative and Friendly. Give him an idea of something you want to eat and then, sit back, enjoy a drink and let the magic begin. Great Wine and Sake, we enjoyed both and a large offering of spirits, which we didn't try, but this is the kind of place with very regular locals popping in, who I did see enjoying Japanese Whiskey and more. Many MANY choices in Kyoto, but Onyva quickly became our favorite, comfortable, almost "private chef" go to. It is cozy so be prepared to share a great time and space with others who will soon become...