chirolian61
Today, I came here to Tsuda Science Hills, located on a small hill that was carved out of the mountains. In one corner of this area is the natural hot spring spa "Spa Valley Hirakata Minami," which houses a dining area. Since it seemed possible to dine without using the spa facilities, I decided to give it a try. I arrived a little after 1:30 pm and found the spacious, clean, and calm atmosphere inside the restaurant. There was no counter seating, but instead, there were tables with built-in IH stoves and sunken kotatsu seats. Towards the back, there was also a terrace seating area. The place was managed by a few staff members, both male and female. The menu mainly consisted of Japanese and Western dishes, with options for all-you-can-eat and drink menus. In the center of the restaurant, there was a large table with a buffet-style display of various dishes. I ordered the "fried chicken set" and it arrived after a short wait. The tray included the main dish, rice, salad, two side dishes, pickles, and miso soup. The slightly seasoned fried chicken was crispy, hot, and juicy. The side dishes included dried radish and fluffy hot shumai. The miso soup had seaweed, but the rice was a bit disappointing as it lacked a good texture. After finishing the meal, I realized that I should have stopped by the front desk to enter directly into the restaurant, as I had put my shoes in the shoebox. The location was a bit elevated, and I was curious about the view from the hot spring, so I plan to use the spa facilities next time. Overall, the service was good. Thank you for the meal. From my perspective, the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with separate washlets for men and women on the floor, and ample parking available (see photos).