食いしんぼりん
The venue for this gourmet meeting was a highly-rated restaurant in Kyoto, next to Ristorante Lungamo (Giorgio Pinchiorri has changed the name). The exterior looks like a white wall with a large glass door, resembling a hair salon. Inside, there are four small tables for four people each, with elegant table flowers creating an atmosphere of sophistication. The lunch for 4000 yen is only available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This lunch boasts an excellent value in terms of quality and quantity! All four of us were amazed, saying "Is this really a 4000 yen meal?" I had beer, while my friends had two types of red wine. Vitello Tonnato, a Piedmontese specialty, was the appetizer. It was simple and unpretentious, but the quality of the ingredients was superb. The roasted veal wrapped in rock salt was moist and tender, with a delicious tuna sauce. The rabbit and fig salad with orange and Moscato vinegar sauce was a pleasant surprise, as I had heard negative things about rabbit meat in the past. The rabbit meat was light and easy to eat, without any strong flavors. The dish with sautéed sea bream from Wakasa Bay and a sauce made of Italian quail beans was well-prepared with a fresh taste. The ravioli with potatoes and mushrooms in a sage and butter sauce was outstanding. The sauce was as delicious as the cheese and butter sauce I had at another restaurant. The roasted French duck leg with grapes in acacia honey and Cesare vinegar sauce was flavorful, although the meat was a bit tough. The dessert, Torta Soffice al Mascarpone, a traditional dessert from Piedmont, was crunchy and creamy, a perfect ending to the meal. I chose a light chamomile tea to accompany it. The floor manager and sommelier, who resembled a young Mao Asada, provided attentive and polite service. The chef, who trained under a charismatic chef from Piedmont for eight years, showcased his skills in using wine vinegar in his sauces. While the duck leg was not to my liking, the veal and rabbit dishes were exceptional. I look forward to trying more game dishes in the future. The chef, who came to greet us at the end, had a tall and reserved demeanor, similar to the restaurant's owl emblem. I briefly checked out their blog and was impressed by the chef's intellectual image.