I visited the wine bar Lilou in Pontocho. It is a hidden gem located on the second floor of a building. I enjoyed a glass of champagne, which was well chilled and delicious!

In August 2022, I went on a trip to Kyoto after 8 months. I visited a renowned restaurant in Maruyama Park and indulged in a delicious meal. After bidding farewell to a friend taking a taxi back, I decided to walk around to digest. I strolled from Higashioji Street to Shijo Street, crossed Shijo Bridge, and explored the charming Pontocho Street. I found the restaurant I was looking for, Lilou, tucked away on the second floor of a building. This place offers natural wines, desserts, and rice dishes in Kyoto's Pontocho district. The cozy interior was bustling with geishas, regulars, and the female owner managing everything. I sat at the counter and enjoyed an Italian vermouth wine and a recommended wine to pair with the parfait. The flavors were excellent, and the parfait with fresh peaches and vanilla was delightful. I would love to visit again to try more of their dishes when I have more room in my stomach.

After enjoying a delicious meal at Bankara-san, we headed to another place in Pontocho that we were curious about. Since it was our first time, we called ahead to confirm availability. The staff asked, "We are a wine bar, is that okay?" and I replied, "That's perfectly fine!" The restaurant was located on the second floor of a mixed-use building. The counter was full of regular customers, so we sat at a table. This place seemed to specialize in organic wines. We ordered a Trincero Rosso Rasine, an Italian wine that was relatively robust. Although it wasn't completely additive-free, it was very fruity and rich. It was so delicious that we decided to get a bottle. For food, we had an assortment of appetizers which included liver paste, rillettes, chestnut pate, confit gizzards, white mold salami, and more. Since we hadn't had any meat dishes at the previous restaurant, this was just the right amount of meatiness. The recommended way to enjoy the chestnut pate was with their homemade jam, which was absolutely delicious. The white mold salami had a nice subtle flavor. All the dishes paired perfectly with the wine. After finishing the bottle, we ended the meal with a glass of rose. The atmosphere was lively with regular customers at the counter, but the owner was very friendly and welcoming to us newcomers. It was a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I had some time before my main reservation in Kyoto, so I decided to visit this restaurant I found on Tabelog. I arrived at the restaurant around 19:40. It was located on the second floor of a building near the Kamo River in a nice alley filled with eateries on the Kawaramachi side, slightly closer to Sanjo. The exterior had a snack-like appearance, and entering alone for the first time felt quite daunting. However, I wasn't alone on this day, so I gathered my courage and went inside. The dimly lit interior had around 5 counter seats and 2 table seats. Across the counter was the Kamo River, offering a lovely view of the night scenery. I chose a white wine from the selection offered in glasses. The restaurant seemed to be run by two women, and they kindly accepted my request for just one glass even though I was going for a meal later. I was served a turnip soup as an appetizer, which was just right before my upcoming meal. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the restaurant was cozy, so I would definitely like to visit again when I return to Kyoto. Thank you for the meal.

After dinner nearby, I took a stroll around Kiyamachi and Pontocho. I found a sign that caught my eye and decided to go in without any prior information! The restaurant is located on the second floor of a dining building along the Kamo River in Pontocho. Enticed by the entrance sign that read "Natural Wine and Desserts," I happily climbed the stairs (lol). The cozy space had dim lighting, a bar counter facing the river, and a couple of tables. The friendly and chatty owner, who seemed to be running the place on her own, created a warm atmosphere. The menu was written on a large blackboard on the wall, and I ordered the following items: - Appetizer: A warm potage soup made with turnips from Seigoin. It was a delight to have a hot soup on this cold day, creamy and flavorful. - Tarte Tatin & Vanilla Ice Cream - Glass of white wine (I forgot to take a detailed photo of the menu...) The owner, who used to be a pastry chef, made the Tarte Tatin with thinly sliced apples layered on top of each other. It was so soft and gooey that you couldn't tell where one slice ended and the next began, capturing the delicious essence of the apples. The ice cream, with a hint of vanilla beans, was delicious too. The glass of wine, possibly Riesling, unexpectedly warmed me up. A wine bar where you can enjoy authentic sweets! This hidden gem in Pontocho is a must-visit. Thank you for the wonderful meal! ✨

Hidden bar in Pontocho. Heard they serve sweets late at night. Soup as appetizer. Stylish♪ Sweets range from cakes to parfaits. Homemade ice cream included. Delicious. Not just any sweets, but delicious ones. Wine that pairs well with sweets. Planned to end with sweets, but ended up with more wine. It's nice to have nights like that. Indulging while making excuses to oneself. Such nights are also good to have. Thank you for the meal!

I visited a restaurant in Pontocho that I had been curious about during a quiet time on a weekday evening. It's a wine bar? Bistro? I'm not quite sure about the genre, but they serve dishes and sweets that go well with wine. Since it was shortly after opening, the place was empty. I sat at the counter. The other table seats besides the counter seemed to lack atmosphere, more like simple seats. I recommend sitting at the counter, as you can see Shijo-Ohashi and the Kamogawa River through the window. I wanted to have white wine that goes well with sweets, but I had plans to go to the gym later, so I opted for a soft drink. The homemade ginger ale could have been a bit stronger, but it was nice and warming. The complimentary dish was a gentle tasting Seigoin Kabu soup. And then, the main purpose, the parfait. The menu changes slightly depending on the season. On this day, it was a strawberry and banana parfait. It was quite small, which surprised me, but it was just the right amount before exercising. I thought the cost performance was not great, but it was delicious. The very sarcastic older sister. It was funny, but she was quite critical of the beloved patissier, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Hmm... Maybe it's just lip service though.

People who can't drink wine are not allowed. Don't be afraid of pairing sweets with wine.

Hidden gem vibe. Delicious cheese.

The wine is excellent, and the desserts are exquisite.

After finishing the offline meeting, I started walking alone in a different direction from the others. It felt a bit lonely to just go home like this, so I remembered Lilou, the owner of a place where I couldn't try the sweets before. Lilou is also a pastry chef. The wine bar served wine in glasses, along with a delicious potato bisque and a peach parfait that was beyond amazing. Everyone else also enjoyed the sweets they ordered. The cheesecake and tarte tatin on the menu looked tempting too. I must come back again! The hamburger on the menu also caught my eye. It's a cozy little place and definitely worth a visit!

After enjoying a delicious meal, it was still early to head back to Osaka, so I decided to visit another place. I went to a wine bar in Pontocho that I had been eyeing. The street in Pontocho, usually bustling, was quiet, perhaps due to the rain. I found the wine bar on the second floor of a building along the street. A handwritten sign outside indicated that they served natural wines and desserts. Despite the slightly eerie corridor, I found a cute little shop at the end. The shop had a nice view of the Kamogawa River outside the window. The friendly female owner seemed to be running the place by herself. There were both counter seats and table seats available, making it suitable for groups as well. Instead of a cover charge, they served a potato bisque as a starter. Although the menu wasn't heavy, it offered a variety of appealing food options. I ordered a Vinho Verde from Portugal. I also tried the Provence-style pizza with mushrooms, bacon, and soft-boiled egg for 900 yen, which paired well with the mild yet flavorful wine. The pickles for 400 yen had a strong acidity with minimal sweetness. I also tried the homemade lamb keema curry with chapati for 900 yen, which was spicy and rich in flavor. I paired it with a bold Bordeaux red wine. The atmosphere in the shop was light and pleasant.

In this area, I sometimes get lost and have a hard time finding my way to the destination if I only come occasionally... This time, I didn't have a specific destination in mind, but as I was wandering around, I stumbled upon this sign. It said they serve natural wine and desserts. It caught my interest a lot. The atmosphere is full of charm. I decided to check it out as my last stop. Climbing up a narrow staircase, I found a cute sign and a slightly imposing door. The door seemed a bit intimidating at first, as it was a remnant from when it used to be a snack bar. However, beyond that heavy door was a wonderful space with a view of the Kamogawa River from the counter. The location alone makes it worth it. The wine is reasonably priced, with a variety of glass wines available. The desserts on the menu were quite appealing, as advertised on the sign. But what was even more enticing was the food menu. There were many dishes that seemed to pair well with wine. The soup served as an appetizer was incredibly delicious, so I imagine the food must be equally tasty, but unfortunately, I had to pass on it this time. I enjoyed a blissful time with delicious wine and equally delicious desserts. The overall taste was gentle, not too sweet, and complemented the wine well, making it easy to drink. The atmosphere created by the slightly bewitching manager, who spoke frankly yet softly, was welcoming and made me lose track of time. I wish there was a place like this nearby that I could visit regularly. Kyoto is so nice, with something new to discover every time. It was a lovely find this time. Thank you for the meal, and I look forward to visiting again.