ヒング
I visited the only Sicilian restaurant in Kyoto, [Ricotta], which I had been curious about for a long time. The location is around the middle of Shijo and Gojo, in the central area of Kyoto. On this day, after exploring sweets and bakeries during the day, I made my way to Kyoto with the main goal of visiting this restaurant. The restaurant normally opens at 6 pm, but due to my Shinkansen schedule, they kindly allowed me to make a reservation for 5 pm. Thank you for your consideration. Upon entering, the small restaurant was run by two male staff members, including the chef, with 3 table seats in the front and an open kitchen counter with about 6 seats in the back. The staff and chef greeted me warmly with smiles, creating a cozy and pleasant atmosphere throughout the meal. Now, let's savor Ricotta. Along with the menu, the chef's passionate thoughts about the restaurant were shared. You could feel the chef's strong attachment to Sicily and his dedication. I decided to order a la carte from the many menu options. The staff informed me about the generous portion sizes, so I made my selections accordingly. I had a glass of white wine and my friend had a bit of red wine, both Sicilian wines. The white wine, especially, paired well with the assorted appetizers. The bread, except for grissini, was homemade, including Sicilian street food known as "sfinchione," sesame bread, and three types of bread that were all deliciously and carefully made. They also served as excellent sidekicks for wiping up leftover sauces. ☆ Lentil and Vegetable Soup The complimentary lentil and vegetable soup was simple and hearty, a traditional dish from the island of Ustica. Starting with such a comforting soup stimulates the appetite and increases the desire to eat. ☆ Assorted Appetizers I ordered two portions of the day's appetizers as a platter, which included 14 varieties of cold dishes. The colorful and beautiful presentation of the assorted appetizers was visually appealing and elevated the mood. Here are the descriptions of each dish: - Scallop and Grapefruit Carpaccio - Red Snapper Carpaccio - Sweet Shrimp Carpaccio - Orange and Olive Salad - Zucchini with Mint - Pumpkin Agrodolce (sweet and sour) - Peperonata - Caponata - Carrot Marinade with Fennel and Raisins - Tuna, Tomato, Olive, and Caper Salad - Tuna Agrodolce (sweet and sour) - San Daniele Ham and Buffalo Mozzarella - Octopus and Potato Caper Salad - Artichoke and Potato Frittata The Octopus and Potato Caper Salad, with the large capers from Lipari Island, stood out with its harmonious blend of octopus umami and potato mellowness. The homemade salt-pickled capers added a mellow saltiness and mild acidity that paired well with the octopus and potato, leaving a great impression. This dish alone could easily make you finish a whole bottle of wine if you're not careful. It was a fantastic appetizer. Trying the assorted appetizers at a new restaurant helps you understand the general flow, so it was a useful reference for future visits. ☆ Bronte-style Radiatori with Ricotta and Pistachio In Sicily, pistachio paste is not usually used as a sauce, but the chef made an adjustment to create a pasta dish with a stronger pistachio flavor. As a pistachio lover, I had always wanted to try this pasta. By adding fresh ricotta cheese to balance out the richness of the pistachio paste, the chef created a well-balanced and not overly heavy dish that was very cohesive. The al dente radiatori pasta was perfectly cooked and coated well with the sauce. After enjoying the first pasta dish, I was impressed by the chef's sense of taste. ☆ Enna-style Fuzilli with Ragu Enna, a region in the center of Sicily, is known for its traditional dish featuring a ragu with cinnamon and chocolate. The combination of cinnamon and chocolate in the ragu was unique and delicious.