Ryotei Susaki — Restaurant in Takayama

One of the most unforgettable dining experiences of our life that all came together by happenstance because we had a delicious afternoon coffee break at nearby Ranka Coffee. I struck up a great conversation with the owner of this fine coffee establishment about Takayama, coffee and fine dining. He said that we absolutely had to experience a traditional Kaiseki meal at this Michelin 2 Star restaurant just down the street that has hosted such auspicious guests as the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

Kaiseki is the artful presentation of washoku dishes using seasonal and local ingredients. Many of the featured vegetables and protein such as trout and wagyu you are from Hida and some local nearby mountains, streams and lakes. In fact, there were many vegetables that we had never had before.

The eight course meal featured multiple components to each of the courses that was primarily vegetable and fish forward with a strong focus on their famous Hida beef in the two final main courses. The chef(s) not only showcased a wide variety of ingredients about also a large repertoire of culinary techniques including tempura, grilling, steaming, raw, intricate and artistic knife work etc. Every dish was a masterpiece and every bite was savoured.

The restaurant is housed in a traditional heritage building ornately adorned with antiques. Guests enjoy their meal in private dining rooms served by lovely ladies dressed in traditional kimonos.

For sure this was one of the most memorable meals we have ever experienced but it did not stop when we finished our last bite. After final farewell greetings, we shared a picture with our lovely servers and they escorted us to the exit for thank yous and goodbyes. As we were walking away into the distance they remained at the doorsteps watching us and waving back until we were out of eyesight! What a beautiful end to an...

This is a traditional Keiseki restaurant in a beautiful building and with lovely service. That’s where the good part ends. The meal was a big disappointment. Series of small dishes - many with things we never saw or ate before but nothing resembling a main course and none of the things you would expect like sushi or sashimi or hide beef which some prior reviewers mentioned. So the meal was a big let down (even though the presentation was lovely) and we ended paying a lot (over $100 per person!) for the experience and the atmosphere but felt a big let down on...

幼少期から毎年のように伺わせていただいている此方は上皇上皇后両陛下をはじめ皇室の方々がお立ち寄りになられる由緒正しい料亭なのですが、ミシュラン二つ星を獲得されたからなのか、コロナ禍の影響でお客様が少なくなり落ち着いた雰囲気が戻ってきたからなのか… 今回は2年ぶりの訪問となりましたが 何もかもが素晴らしく感じられました

◆場所 高山の市街地を流れる宮川にかかる飛騨高山の代表的な赤い橋『中橋』の東の袂 高山の桜の開花宣言の基準木でもある桜の横に佇んでいる数寄屋造りのお店になります

◆雰囲気 江戸時代後期1794年創業 岐阜県最古の料亭としての風格を感じる佇まい 高山市有形文化財にも指定されている見事な日本家屋です 今回は広々とした枯山水の庭園を眺められるお部屋をご用意くださいましたので、都会の喧騒から離れ 鳥の囀りや水の音を聴きながら過ごす時間は 220余年の時をタイムスリップしたかのようでした

◆接客 予約時の電話応対から駐車場の案内 お出迎えからお見送りまで 終始最高のおもてなしをいただき まるでVIPにでもなったかのような気分に浸れました

◆お料理 宗和流本膳の伝統を大切に守りながらも リーズナブルな価格のミニ会席や 飛騨牛を使ったステーキ会席の提供もあります 私は↓ ★ミニ会席『味暦』6600円 ・八寸 飛騨牛の蒸し煮 きぬさや　かぼちゃの寒天寄せ ささげの胡麻和え　紅鮭焼き 芋寿司　さつま芋レモン煮　飛龍頭

・玉子豆腐とプチトマトの冷たいお吸い物

・鮎の塩焼き（川背で提供されるのが洲さき流 蓼の葉添え

・茄子田楽

・枝豆豆腐 夏野菜も寄せられた涼しげな一品

・岩魚の南蛮漬けと蓮根 こちらも爽やかな一品で美味

・ご飯とお味噌汁と香り物 春慶のお櫃で提供してくださるのも 洲さきらしくて好きなんです

・水菓子 夏の果物がいろいろ

家族は↓ ★ビフテキ会席9680円

お料理の構成は変わっていませんが 一品一品とても丁寧に仕上げられていましたし 盛り付け方や食器などのセンスが良く お味も良くなった気がしました またお料理の説明や若女将の接客も良くて 終始とても癒されました

長年通ってきましたが今年がいちばん良く感じられた理由ははっきりとは分かりませんが… 時代に翻弄されながらも 古式ゆかしい伝統を守り抜き そして時代のニーズにしっかりと寄り添っている 洲...