Shalom Bistro — Restaurant in Kyoto

Decided to give this place a try after seeing the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google.

To start off, the Hokkaido Scallops were well proportioned, with a rich accompanying lobster bisque. However, the scallops were slightly overcooked hence it lacked the succulent springy texture that I was hoping for.

For entrée, we ordered the wagyu steak. I have a personal preference for rib eye but was told by the proprietor that it is unavailable due to difficulties in cutting (?). We were proposed with the pricier sirloin instead. The reasoning behind the unavailability of the ribeye is perplexing.

It is understandable that the wagyu beef is very well marbled and is fattier than normal beef from our previous experiences eating wagyu. For the steak that we were presented with, the outer part was not well seared enough, ending up with an extremely greasy steak that was difficult to enjoy. We were expecting a wagyu steak that is both well seared and pink in the middle but this fell short.

Service wise, waiting time for the steak was the longest that I have experienced (waited for 1.5 hours), which was terrible. Another table of english-speaking customers who came in much later than us were served with their orders quickly (they finished their dinner even before our steak was served). We were also not provided with...

I do not write reviews often but my wife and I (well-travelled worldwide) want to save other travelers from this experience; avoid at all costs.

I insisted on a 20% discount - should have been 50%. I hope the French family behind us received a discount as well - heard a gasp when their dinner finally arrived as well.

Ended up paying $108 USD (after the discount) for a portion of what was weighed and shown to us prior to dining.

Waited 30 min for a salad and our drinks, constant disingenuous apologies for the delay, an offer of Chinese chicken at this Italian restaurant as a token for our patience that was pink and inedible by any standard.

When our steak dinner finally arrived it had two tiny asparagus, two small tomatoes and two small mushrooms.

The meat was way under cooked. The flavor was good but the portion and cook were a joke.

Then the server / owner stood and waited for us to eat which was uncomfortable. This happened to the nice French family behind as well.

We’ve had exceptional dinners throughout Tokyo and Kyoto at a fraction of this price - this was not one of them.

When we recommended that bread should be offered because, ya know, Italian restaurant, it was taken as a novel idea.

I do not believe this place will change and I do not believe the other reviews here are from...

Unforgettable Dining Experience – A True Hidden Gem!

We were lucky enough to meet Amy during a day tour (she was our incredible guide) and during the tour, she graciously invited us to dine at her restaurant. She even made sure we had a reservation, which was such a thoughtful gesture.

After the tour, we headed to the restaurant and were instantly impressed. The atmosphere was cozy, welcoming, and relaxing, the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring. The service was outstanding, with engaging staff, a lovely sake tasting, and a truly intimate dining experience that made us feel like VIPs.

We ordered the Omi beef ribeye and the lobster pasta—both were 10/10 dishes. Absolutely delicious, perfectly prepared, and beautifully presented.

Amy was once again an absolute delight, checking in to make sure everything was perfect. Even though we’re tourists from the U.S., this experience felt incredibly personal and memorable. We’ll be thinking about this meal for a long time and are already hoping to return on a future trip.

This restaurant is truly blessed—from the food to the service to the people behind it. Highly,...