SAMGHA — Restaurant in Kyoto

This is an out of the way specialist whiskey bar where you can expect to pay top dollar for access to a really world class selection of whiskies.

And when I say "top dollar", I am saying it as a whiskey enthusiast who has been to similar places elsewhere who deliver similar selection for far less. Just to give you an idea, I came with a party of four (which adds an automatic $20 US surcharge), ordered three mid-tier whiskies and four beers and ended up paying close to $150 US.

(Also, to clarify "world class", I should say that we saw a long list of Japanese spirits as well as numerous American Bourbons and scotches, etc. A really international scope. )

Anyway, as you probably already know if you are reading this, Bozu Bar is the (infamous?) "monk bar" and, of you're there at the right time, you will be served by and have a chance to chat with it's excellent proprietor, who is an extremely knowledgeable drinker (with excellent English) and a true enthusiast, happy to make recommendations, offer comparisons and personal tasting notes, etc.

Bottom line, Bozu Bar is not a "stop in for a drink" kind of place by any means, but if you want the "monk bar" experience (or are willing to go off the beaten path simply for the liquor selection),...

Cozy place, soft music at low volume, kind owners.... unfortunately the positive notes end here: my wife ordered a set of three wines (5ml each) and I ordered a special set of 2 whiskeys with cheese. After a decent wait, the waitress brings us a set of various cheeses with dried fruit.....too bad it wasn't ours and even though I already started to try it she took it back to bring my set: 2 SMALL PIECES of cheese (not even 2 cm) with two slices of bread. I would have been ashamed to give it even if it had been free. My two whiskies: the first, coming from an almost finished bottle, had lost its olfactory notes and flavour; the second was a good whisky. The wines equally good. Let's come to the price: I paid around 60 euros (around 9.500 yen) for a set of good wine ( but 5 ml each), a SHAMEFUL "special set" of whiskey and cheese (only one whiskey was good and I prefer forgot the cheese) and also there is a charge of 500 yen per person (the most expensive charge paid in Japan so far). I chose the place because of the excellent reviews, perhaps today I wasn't lucky.

Locale cosy, musica soft a basso volume, proprietari gentili.... Le note positive finiscono qui purtroppo: mia moglie ha ordinato un set di tre vini (5ml cadauno) e io un set speciale di 2 whisky con formaggio. Dopo una discreta attesa, la cameriera ci porta un set di formaggi vari con frutta secca.....peccato che non fosse il nostro e nonostante avessi già iniziato a provarlo lo ha ripreso indietro per portare il mio set: 2 PEZZETTI veramente piccoli di un solo tipo di formaggio di neanche 2 cm con due fettine di pane. Mi sarei vergognato a presentarlo anche se fosse stato gratuito. Dei miei due whisky: il primo, proveniente da una bottiglia quasi terminata, aveva perso le note olfattive e il sapore; il secondo era un buon whisky. I vini altrettanto buoni. Veniamo al prezzo: ho pagato circa 60 euro ( circa 9.500 yen) per un set di vino buono (ma 5ml a vino), un set VERGOGNOSO di whisky con formaggio (solo un whisky era buono e preferisco dimenticare il formaggio) e inoltre è previsto un charge di 500 yen a persona (il charge più caro pagato in Giappone fino adesso). Ho scelto il locale per le recensioni ottime, possibilmente oggi non sono...

We came as it was opening and found the warmest most welcoming atmosphere I have ever experienced anywhere. If you are looking for a very quiet place and don't expect an english menu you will be thoroughly satisfied.

Keep your voice low and PLEASE try not to ask too much of the staff!! I felt guilty when a simple request regarding what beer was available sent the proprietor to the fridge to pull one of everything they had in stock just so I could understand since I couldn't read the menu!

The service is beyond comparison, but you should come willing to take suggestions from the staff and have an open mind and budget. It will be worth...