kiku.jpn
Michelin one-star, French restaurant with a history of winning 3 toques at Gault Millau. It was a solo visit for lunch on a certain day in May 2023. I made a reservation online for a lunch course starting at 13,200 yen, while the dinner course starts at 24,200 yen. The nearest station is Minami-Morimachi or Osaka Tenmangu. It's only a few minutes' walk from the station if you don't take the wrong exit. I arrived right on time for my 1 pm reservation. After ringing the intercom, I was let in and guided upstairs to the counter seats. The counter usually has around 6 seats, but since I was dining solo, one seat was left empty next to me. I appreciated this thoughtful gesture, as it allowed me to have more space. The dark and chic atmosphere with black tones was very comfortable. I started by ordering a drink. While the tea pairing option caught my eye, I opted for the wine pairing this time. I was debating between the regular amount and half, but the staff kindly offered to adjust the pace of serving based on my preference. I decided to go with their suggestion. The courses included: Amuse (Champagne) - Cashew nuts, Egg yolk Gargouillou (White wine) - Cauliflower, Green asparagus Aspergers Blanches (White wine) - Comte Risotto (Red wine) - Flounder, Mozuku Poisson (White wine) - Sea bream, Perilla Camillette (Red wine) - Beef Desserts (Coffee) - Passion fruit, Chocolate The amuse of cashew nuts and egg yolk was impressive, with a rich and flavorful taste that filled the mouth and a smoky aroma that lingered. The asparagus that followed was lightly fried and delicious, with a great sauce. Next was the flounder and Mozuku risotto with a green curry flavor that was subtly spiced and paired perfectly with the red wine. The sliminess of the Mozuku enhanced the dish. The sea bream and beef for the main course were exceptional, and the dessert at the end was a delight for someone who loves sweets. The chef even asked if I was satisfied with the meal, which was a nice touch. The quality of the food, portion sizes, wine pairing, atmosphere, and service were all excellent as expected. Before I knew it, I was the last person in the restaurant, so I finished my dessert and left around 3:15 pm. The total bill came to 21,200 yen. Although I dined solo, I would recommend this place for dates or special occasions.