Yamazushi Majin_- An, Tea House — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

It's important to clarify that this is an authentic Japanese tea service, by appointment only. It is not meant to be a lunch/dinner service (they used to do Kaiseki but now they do tea ceremony only), so please plan ahead. They maintain an intimate and authentic experience so each time only 2-3 people could get in, for good reasons. My husband and I signed up on their waitlist at least 6 months in advance, and when I received the call from the owner, I was so thrilled.

They did a very thorough job telling you what you can expect and how to prepare for it before coming. Please be punctual. Chef Yamazawa and Ms. Yamazawa would wait to greet the guests in Japanese Kimono outside the house (and they'll walk you through the procedure before you enter the tea house), so it really doesn't feel nice to the host if you're late.

About the place: They convert their residence to provide an authentic tatami experience inside (but you'd be hard to tell from outside). There's only parking space for one car (which is the driveway at the front of the house). We were a bit confused at first as we didn't mean to drive "into" the gate, but the host helped us right away so nothing to worry there. Once inside, they'll share with you everything about Japanese tea ritual, what to do, what it means (as each Japanese tea session is almost a meditation session that encourages guests to explore their inner peace and to live in the present moment), etc. I love to learn about the culture, their stories (why deciding to transition from a restaurant to a Japanese tea house), and everything.

It's worth noting that it is not allowed to take photos during the tea session. I appreciate the disconnection from social media and phone to enjoy serenity for a nice afternoon! (After everything's wrapped up, you're welcome to take photos at the entrance)

Overall, this is a cultural experience for ~2h long, rather than a lunch/dinner thing (there will be a little bit snacks/desert as part of the tea ceremony, but don't count on them to feed you)....

Having lived in Japan this place has always been on my radar but the price was holding me back. I was a poor Airmen while living there so I never got the chance to experience anything like this. The one thing that I did learn was that, the Japanese culture pays boundless amounts of attention to detail and no amount of effort is too great when making food. We wanted to dine on a Friday or Saturday night which took us about 3 months to reserve. After reading some reviews I was fully aware that I would need to wear slippers once entering but what I did not know was, we were the only ones dining that evening (reservations @ 7pm). The wife (I did not catch her name) was impeccable. She offered the perfect balance of information without going into too much detail unless we asked questions. We were left to enjoy each course at our leisure, which ended up being just over 2 hours. I was slightly worried some of the food would be too authentic. I had several dishes overseas that were out of my comfort zone but none of that was seen here. I highly recommend getting the sake flight. What's another $96 after the $220 you are already spending? Each one was unique, the portions were ample and you are given a small bottle to take home with you. I felt fortunate we were able to dine during the spring as many of the items we received were from the Chef's garden. As for the food in general, we were blown away. It is as if I have never eaten scallops before. They just melted in your mouth, zero chewing required. Each item was simple, beautify displayed, and delicious. If I am going to make my husband spend this kind of money, I want it to be worth it and I can honestly say it was worth the $400 (with tip). I am hesitant to say this but our dinner here was the best meal we have ever had. The whole experience is unique and if you have the time and money, I would put this place on your short list...

The word I would use to describe my entire dining experience here would be: delightful. I was filled with delight from the minute we walked in. We were met at the door by the very charming hostess, given slippers for a more traditional Japanese homestyle feel, and lead to one of only a few tables. It was quiet, and peaceful, and gentle koto music was playing. If that doesn't put a delighted little smile on your face, your heart is made of stone. We went with the sake pairing menu to accompany our meal, and the hostess was extremely knowledgeable about every bottle; not to mention that each drink was perfectly paired with each dish.

The first dish was lightly pickled persimmon served with a light, floral sake that came to life when it mixed with the mirin on my tongue. It was just a gentle sail from one delight to the next. There was a delicious teapot full of soup, some of best sashimi and nigiri I've ever had, a grilled eggplant that was the first and only eggplant that I've actually enjoyed eating, a scallop fried in a crust of panko and rice crackers that I'll probably pine for the rest of my natural life, an edible chrysanthemum that tasted like ginger, and a multitude of other delicacies from the sea and the chef's garden built together into a perfect symphony of flavor.

Most reviews have mentioned the handmade pottery that the chef creates to serve his dishes, and that was the aspect that pushed this meal into the transformative. I know I'm getting flowery here, but some meals deserve that kind of prose, and this was one. If you're looking for a rare opportunity to experience an elaborate and well-crafted kaiseki experience, then stop reading and make your reservation. I can promise you it will be, from start to...