This time, I visited "Wabistro KIKI" in Takasago 1-chome during my work lunch break. It opened on August 1 this year. Lately, I’ve been looking forward to the "Chef's Whim Lunch" here. I had an incredible experience with their hamburger gratin last time, so I considered the "Pumpkin and Minced Meat Spaghetti Gratin," but I decided I wanted to try a different dish this time, so I ordered the "Aqua Pazza Risotto." First, I received a salad and soup. The dressing has a gentle acidity and sweetness, which perfectly complements the fresh vegetables, and I love it! Next came the Aqua Pazza Risotto. Just like last time, it was served in a "tteokbeokki" bowl, which is commonly used in Korean cuisine. This presentation is truly thoughtful. The dish was luxurious with plump shrimp and mussels added. It looks absolutely delicious! I took a spoonful of the risotto while it's still hot… and wow, it’s incredibly tasty! The tomato sauce has a perfect balance of acidity that mingles with the umami from the various ingredients, adhering wonderfully to the rice. The creaminess from the cheese brings even more joy to the flavor. The white fish is cut into bite-sized pieces, retaining its flavor and giving that authentic Aqua Pazza feel. What’s particularly special are the finely chopped lemon peels scattered within the risotto! They occasionally release a refreshing aroma and acidity in your mouth, making for a delightful surprise. This clever touch resonates with how the human palate perceives umami through "flavor variation," keeping each bite exciting until the very end. I asked the chef afterward, and it turns out that this was indeed intentional! The dish is also quite filling, leaving me satisfied. And then… I was surprised again by a dessert that wasn't on the lunch menu. The chef's "whimsical" service is still ongoing! As usual, the dessert was incredibly delicious. I enjoyed a comforting cup of hot coffee, making for a blissful lunch time. Every visit to KIKI brings new surprises, and I’m really happy that it opened so close to my workplace. Next time, I absolutely want to come in the evening, enjoy a variety of a la carte dishes, and have a nice chat with the chef. Today was filled with happiness, so thank you for the delicious meal!

【Great value for a lunch with plenty of options】▼Crowd status: On Sunday around 12:00, there was no wait. Lunch on weekends tends to be less busy, but weekdays see a lot of customers. ▼Atmosphere: A calm and relaxed environment. ▼Customer demographics: Male to female ratio is 5:5, ages range from 20s to 50s. ▼Seating: Tables and counter. ▼Ease of solo dining: Easy to dine alone. ▼Usage scenarios: Solo meals, dates. ▼Other: None. ∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽ Detailed report ∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽∽ This restaurant is rumored to serve "Nostalgic Carbonara," Mr. Jun from London Boots' favorite dish, however, it is not available on the lunch menu but can be enjoyed at dinner. The entire lunch menu is priced at 1000 yen, which includes a main dish, salad, soup, drink, and dessert, offering great value! The lunch menu changes whimsically, so it’s likely to stay interesting. ☑︎Dry Curry Omelet Rice (1000 yen): The omelet rice comes with salad on the same plate. The rice is not ketchup rice but has a curry flavor. The egg is not fluffy but is cooked firmly, giving it a homestyle feel. ☑︎Keema Curry Doria (1000 yen): The menu photo didn't show it, but I was surprised to find sausage on top! It really is whimsical. The rice is also curry-flavored, with a gentle taste. The creamy sauce and cheese are wonderfully rich, creating an irresistible combination. The salad is not just plain lettuce; it includes thinly sliced carrots and purple cabbage, adding a stylish touch! Plus, there’s a cute dessert to finish off the meal, making it incredible value for just 1000 yen! Not only the food but the service is great, making you want to return. I recommend this place for those looking to enjoy lunch at a good price around the Yakuin and Watanabedori area, or for those wanting to try the carbonara favored by Mr. Jun from London Boots! ･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─ On Instagram @momono._.o, I also share videos of Fukuoka gourmet food! If you want to avoid failures when dining out, I recommend following! https://www.instagram.com/momono._.o/ ･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─･･─

On September 21, 2024, a new restaurant named "Wa Bistro KIKI" opened behind the Fukuoka Toei Hotel in Watanabe-dori. The owner is said to have served the "Carbonara" that Yuuji Kato from the comedy duo "Ronburu" cherished as a taste from his youth, which he used to enjoy as a staff meal when he worked part-time. A congratulatory stand from Kato can be seen inside the restaurant. The building houses popular establishments such as "Yakitori Yashichi," "Yakitori Nakagawa," the teppanyaki restaurant "Rakuhei," and French restaurant "La Cuisine de KAWAMURA." Built in 1969, the building has five stories (four above ground and one basement), and lacks an elevator, making the dimly lit stairs feel a little daunting even during the day. Upon cautiously opening the door to the restaurant on the second floor, we were warmly greeted by a cheerful couple. Inside, there are seven two-person tables and one conveniently partitioned four-person table, creating a refined and comfortable atmosphere. Unfortunately, the "Carbonara" is not available on the lunch menu; instead, four options are offered: dry curry omelet rice, beef curry rice, KIKI noodles, and KIKI bruschetta, all served with salad, soup, and a drink for ¥1,000. I opted for the "Dry Curry Omelet Rice." This dish features flavorful rice cooked in broth, wrapped in a thin omelet and topped with a generous serving of dry curry. The aroma of the spices enhanced the rich taste, perfectly complementing the key ingredient in the rice. The accompanying consomme had a delightful bacon flavor, and the abundant salad was fresh and enjoyable. It turned out to be a wonderful dining experience, made even more enjoyable by the pleasant conversations with the friendly couple who run the restaurant.

After my workout at the gym, I often pass by a restaurant called "Niku ga Ichiban" on my way home, and I've been curious about another restaurant that I noticed in the area. Since it's on the second floor, I couldn’t see inside from the street, which made me hesitant to check it out. However, a colleague from work who shares restaurant information on Instagram recently posted about their lunch special, prompting me to finally visit. Interestingly, I had attempted to stop by on August 28 after attending a shareholder meeting for a space-related company nearby, but it was closed that day. The location of the restaurant is well-covered by other reviewers, and it’s easy to find using a map app, so I won't go into too much detail. It's situated roughly between "Niku ga Ichiban" and "Bistro Atrie," making it quite easy to locate. The building itself is an ordinary mixed-use structure, not particularly appealing. On days the restaurant is open, there's a sign at the entrance, and you ascend the stairs to the second floor. The dim entrance is nicely illuminated by orange lights, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Upon entering, an attendant welcomed me and suggested I choose a seat. There were some private booths in the back that caught my eye, but since I was alone, I felt it would be awkward to choose one. Instead, I opted for a two-person table that was next to an occupied seat. I checked the menu and decided on the "Dry Curry Omelette Rice (with Salad, Soup, and Drink) for 1,000 yen," adding an extra 100 yen for a large portion. For my drink, I chose pineapple juice. I noticed I could also order items from a regular menu, so I added "KIKI Liver Sashimi for 1,000 yen" as well. The liver sashimi arrived first, served in a quirky dish reminiscent of religious artifacts, gleaming beautifully. It was accompanied by a separate sauce for dipping. Described as low-temperature cooked, it tasted just as good as the liver sashimi I used to enjoy before regulations became stricter. Even though it has been a long time since I had the original version, I couldn't quite recall how it differed. Next, my main lunch arrived. Since I'd ordered the large size, it was quite substantial. The plate featured an omelette rice, salad, and a hearty serving of dry curry with chunks of meat. For only 1,000 yen (or 1,100 yen for the large portion), I was amazed to find it included soup and a drink, and to my surprise, there was even a small dessert (fruit in syrup) included, which made me very satisfied. That day, I had plans to dine at a non-buffet smoked food restaurant with friends for dinner, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to indulge in a larger lunch. However, it turned out to be a bit too much for me (laughs). At this stage, I felt that a small dessert wouldn’t suffice (normally it would be enough), so I decided to order the "Kimagure Parfait for 980 yen." When I re-checked the menu, I noticed it said “from 980 yen,” which made me curious if the fruit type changes depending on the price or varies by day. I’ll have to investigate this on my next visit (apologies for not being more thorough). The parfait was quite spectacular as well, complete with sparklers (this was ironically my first fireworks experience of the year (laughs)). I never expected to see fireworks at a restaurant like this. It included melon sorbet, vanilla ice cream, and fruit such as orange, apple, and pineapple. It was delicious, colorful, and thoroughly satisfying. While I could visit during my work lunch break, I prefer to enjoy my meals slowly, so I’m considering returning after my next gym session for dinner.

The restaurant is located about a three-minute walk from Watanabe-dori Station, on the second floor of a building full of yakitori shops. There’s no elevator, only stairs. I found out it opened on August 1st after visiting another restaurant earlier in August. The couple running the place are very friendly. They offer three types of lunch, with the other two priced at 1,000 yen (one is a cold soba salad and the other is a dry curry). I chose the "Dry Curry Set" for 1,300 yen, which includes a main dish, soup, and a drink. The soup had a rich consomme flavor. The meals are served on a plate, and although I thought they might be small due to the price, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portions. The dry curry had sauce on top, allowing you to enjoy both dry and traditional curry flavors in one dish. It was a bit spicy for me, but I liked the taste. The salad was fresh and crispy with plenty of dressing. The quiche contained ham and was delicious. The chicken steak was tender, and the sauce was flavorful. The pasta was thin and had a homemade mayonnaise-like flavor, which I really enjoyed. I chose pineapple juice for my drink, and it was thick and delicious with a generous serving. As a bonus, they offered a tiramisu, which was surprisingly high-quality and very tasty. I was the only customer at the time, so they may have gone out of their way to treat me, and I appreciate that. You can tell that all the dishes are handmade with care, and for 1,300 yen including a drink, it’s quite a bargain. The dry curry filled me up, and I think it would be sufficient even for a man. There aren’t many affordable and tasty lunch options in this area, so I expect this place might become popular in the future. For now, it feels like a hidden gem for lunch.