I visited the Italian Kitchen Bansan in Kyoto, which is still the only location! Since I aimed for a time when it wouldn’t be crowded, there were only a few customers, but I get the feeling this place isn't very well known yet. It’s definitely a hidden gem right now! The menu has fun features like unlimited toppings of shirasu (baby sardines) and prosciutto on pasta. I ordered the shirasu unlimited peperoncino, and after I called for a stop (the staff kept adding shirasu to my pasta), they seemed a bit surprised and asked if I didn’t want more. In the end, they added nearly all the prepared shirasu! (Haha.) Everything I had was delicious! Recently, more Italian restaurants are using Japanese ingredients or creating Japanese-Italian fusion dishes, so some might find this place's flavors a bit strong. However, traditional Italian cuisine is characterized by robust flavors where simmered ingredients act as seasonings, with olive oil, meat, fish fat, and rock salt contributing to the taste. So, I recommend enjoying the meal leisurely with bread, salad, and drinks. It’s a place where you can take your time and savor delicious food. They have considered families by providing a kids' space, which is a plus since it’s often hard to find restaurants that accommodate small children. If you reserve in advance, you can request a seat near the kids' area. This makes it highly recommendable for families! You can order via a tablet, and payments are made at a machine near the entrance. Occasionally, a serving robot will deliver the food too. The menu is extensive, and the interior design is lovely. It might be difficult to access without a car, but if you're in the mood for a hearty Italian meal and can drive, I highly recommend this restaurant!

After pondering between rich and light options, I chose a hearty meal for lunch today. The place I visited was a restaurant called Vincent, which had a sign for stone-baked pizza. It was a pleasant Sunday lunch crowd. I ordered the recommended Carbonara and Margherita pizza. The Carbonara was prepared right in front of me, with a huge wheel of cheese where they mixed in the pasta before serving it on a plate. It looked great, and the effort from the staff was impressive. The taste was rich and delicious, and despite the portion size, I felt satisfied and full. Next, the Margherita pizza was served, nicely cut into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to eat. However, the flavor didn't quite meet my expectations. Also, both dishes were a bit on the cooler side, and I would have preferred to enjoy them served hot. Overall, it was a lovely meal. Thank you very much!

I thought, "I really want to eat that huge amount of shirasu (whitebait)!" and came to the restaurant! Is it okay if I come alone? Oh, what?! Everyone around me is a woman! There are about 20 women, all of them! Well, that's fine. Excuse me, what's your recommendation? This cheese risotto is highly recommended... with the shirasu's spirit captured inside! Wait, what? You're serving it from a huge cheese bowl? What? It looks so delicious! The staff lady is really good at plating too! As soon as I took a bite, wow! The cheese just burst in my mouth—it’s incredibly delicious! The cheese fills my mouth in the best way possible! As soon as my tea ran out, the lady kindly offered me more—what a thoughtful touch, I was really impressed. Next time, I'm definitely going to try the shirasu! Although I did find the background music a bit loud… I’ll come back for sure!

I visited the restaurant just before 2 PM on a Thursday. Even in the early afternoon, the place was fairly busy, and the staff's service was excellent. The interior was beautiful and comfortable. The water served was a bit weak, more like light tea, but better than plain water. I liked the pasta enough to want to return if I'm in the area again. I ordered the Weekday Set for ¥1,265 each. The salad came with a homemade dressing, which was delicious, but I would have appreciated more salad. The Bolognese-style ragu pasta was unexpectedly delicious! The thickness of the spaghetti was just right. I also tried the truffle cream pasta for an additional ¥110. The truffle aroma was quite nice and tasty! I think if I increased the truffle amount from ¥110 to ¥330, it would make for an even more satisfying dish. Also, creamy pasta might pair better with tagliatelle noodles. For the Tuscan regional dish, I had the beef tagliata for ¥1,749. The rare-cooked beef on top of arugula with balsamic sauce was delicious, but I felt it was a bit overpriced for what you get.

It was my first time in Kyoto. The restaurant has been open for 7 months. I was curious about this place that has a stone oven, and I received a flyer with a 50% discount coupon, so I went there with my wife for lunch. It faces a main street, but the store is somewhat hidden behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken building, so you might pass it if you're not careful. The parking lot was easy to use. Inside, the restaurant is spacious, bright, and comfortable. We went on a Saturday just before noon, and most of the customers were groups of women. After a while, more families arrived, and the atmosphere became lively with children. To place an order, we were told to use the popular app LINE from our smartphones. However, staff members also directly took our orders, perhaps out of consideration since we were an older couple. We ordered the cream pasta with snow crab, a parma ham pasta, and a Margherita pizza that qualified for the coupon. The drinks we ordered were delivered by a robot! Yes, this place has robotic assistance for serving. Next, the Margherita pizza arrived, which was brought by a staff member. The size was just right for one person. As for the taste… it was delicious. Because it’s baked in a stone oven, the underside of the pizza had a nice char and was crispy. However, the crust seemed a bit salty, giving it a salty impression. Around the time we finished the pizza, the pasta arrived, also served by staff. The parma ham pasta is unlimited, with the waiter saying, "I’ll keep adding ham until you say it’s enough," and they piled it on generously. I thought just a moderate amount would be fine, but my wife seemed pleased with this service that many women would appreciate. The pasta was made from fresh dough and had a chewy texture. The snow crab cream pasta had wide noodles, while the parma ham pasta had standard thin noodles, though they were slightly thicker than usual. Overall, these pastas also had a salty flavor. The staff were cheerful and efficient, and the combination of robots and the cozy atmosphere made me want to return to this restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious meal at half price. Thank you for the meal!

The ambiance of the restaurant was great, and everything we chose from the menu was delicious. The staff's service was also very good, which left a positive impression on me! I visited the place with my parents for Respect for the Aged Day, and my parents, who are over 60, were very pleased. If you're looking for authentic pasta and pizza, this is definitely the place to go!

I happened to pass by and had never seen this place before, and since I had been craving pizza, I instinctively walked in. The interior was clean and stylish, and the menu looked quite delicious overall. It seems that there isn't a course (set) option for the pizza, so you have to choose from individual items. The Margherita pizza baked in a stone oven was incredible! The pasta set was also tasty, but the deliciousness of the Margherita overshadowed everything else. They use mobile ordering, but after scanning the QR code, you unexpectedly have to connect via LINE… It felt quite off that it automatically adds you as a friend to their official account without consent. However, since I'm almost certain I'll come back, I decided to continue using it. I noticed that staff were taking orders directly from families, which left me feeling a bit uneasy about the process, but aside from that, I felt I had discovered a hidden gem with really high quality. I answered a survey and received a half-price coupon, so I will definitely be coming back!

I visited the Italian restaurant "Italian Kitchen VANSAN Fushimi Shinborikawa" near Jonan-miyako in Fushimi Ward. **Dishes Ordered:** - **THE Carbonara - 1,690 yen** They prepare the fresh pasta right in front of you using a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano wheel. You can fully enjoy the aroma of the cheese, and the chewy texture of the fresh pasta is delightful. **Overall Impression:** The performance of mixing everything at the table with the Parmigiano Reggiano wheel adds a nice touch and entertainment value. They seem to cater to families as well, providing toys for children. Additionally, the all-you-can-drink soft drinks include Musunatea, which is a great highlight. Thank you for the meal!

The staff were all bright and friendly, making it a very comfortable place to be! The food was delicious too (﹡ˆ︶ˆ﹡)♬* I highly recommend the course menu! When my friend asked what I wanted to eat for their birthday celebration, I searched online and hit the jackpot with this place d(^_^o)

Since it was my first time, I ordered the Bolognese set. It includes an appetizer, pasta, a drink, and dessert, so it's quite a good deal. The staff were all young and fresh, which was really nice. The ordering process is quite modern; you scan a QR code with your smartphone to place your order at your table. For those who aren't used to it, it might be a bit tricky, but the staff is friendly and will help you if you have any questions.

I happened to pass by and saw an Italian-style sign, so I decided to stop by. The restaurant seems to have just opened, as the service is a bit awkward. Once I finally sat down and received an explanation about how to place an order, I looked at the menu and found it quite appetizing. There are even some dishes that they finish preparing right at the table, which adds to the fun. As for the taste, it’s not just about the looks—it’s genuinely delicious! The pasta is chewy, and the seasoning is rich and flavorful, just the way I like it! I've got a new place I want to visit again.

It's easy to get to, and I've been there a few times. This was my first visit in the evening. The prices are reasonable, and the fresh pasta is delicious. The free-flow drink option is great too! On this day, I also had cheese fondue. Many of the staff are very friendly.

I visited just before 3 PM on Saturday, which was right at the end of lunch hours. The parking lot was spacious, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. I ordered a lunch set, but unfortunately, the restaurant's recommended "Demon Pasta" was not on the pasta selection menu, which was disappointing. The pasta itself was chewy and had a good portion size, but I felt that the crust of the pizza had too much dough. The drink bar was included, which made it feel like a good deal. Although the restaurant was not crowded, the pasta took quite a while to arrive.

Today the weather is really nice! During lunchtime, all the places I wanted to go were packed, so I ended up visiting the newly opened Italian Kitchen VANSAN in Fushimi, which I had been curious about. I think I’ve been to their location in Takatsuki before, but it seems this is their first store in Kyoto. They have a wide variety of lunch menus, but I decided to go for their signature dish — unlimited toppings pasta. I've heard it's been featured in various media outlets, so I ordered the shirasu (whitebait) pepperoncino with extra large (grande) size and for dessert, the strawberry mont blanc. The pasta was served with the waitstaff piling the shirasu on until I said "stop." The shirasu were small, and while the taste is just okay, the visual presentation is impressive! The homemade fresh pasta was chewy and quite tasty, pairing well with the pepperoncino. The mont blanc was also piped out right in front of me. This dish focused on presentation too, but the taste was pretty standard and didn’t have much strawberry flavor. I had a draft beer and a glass of red wine to drink. In summary, I think the taste is quite commendable for a chain restaurant, although the prices are a bit on the higher side. However, the staff's service was outstanding and made the experience very comfortable! Because of this excellent service, I went ahead and registered for their app as suggested. Being a chain, they offered various payment methods too. If you’re curious, I definitely recommend visiting at least once!

Today's lunch was at "Italian Kitchen VANSAN Fushimi Shimpokawa," located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, along the Shimpo River Road, right in front of the Fushimi Police Station bus stop. It seems to be a family restaurant part of a nationwide chain. The restaurant has a spacious parking lot and an stylish building. Inside, there are family-style booth seats, but I was taken to a table by the window. Orders are placed through a QR code on the table. The menu includes pasta, pizza, risotto, and seasonal limited items. The staff’s top recommendation is the course menu prepared for 1 to 3 people, which includes appetizers, free drinks, and dessert. Since there was only one option for pasta without an additional fee, I ordered "Un Piatto (Eggplant in Tomato Sauce Pasta)" for 1,705 yen. I read the QR code with my smartphone, but the option for the course was not available. I reluctantly called a staff member for assistance. A spoon and fork were set on the table. Prosciutto was hanging from the ceiling. The free drink service was ordered on request, and the ginger ale I ordered arrived quickly; however, the glass was small and the straw was paper. Soon after, the appetizer came, which included a salad with two types of ham, grissini, and a five-item caprese. The handmade dressing on the salad had a strong garlic flavor. The caprese with strawberries and mozzarella was drizzled with honey. Then my pasta was served. Chili sauce was available on the table. The fresh pasta was thick and chewy, while the tomato sauce was just average. For dessert, I chose the Piemonte-style panna cotta from three options. The sauce on top was quite sweet. I ordered iced coffee through my smartphone. Not knowing the free drink order menu, I called the staff again for confirmation. When I was directed to the right item and ordered it, an additional charge appeared on the bill. Overall, while it’s a well-prepared place for families, there seem to be some operational challenges.

I visited in the early afternoon with a friend, so we opted for the pair lunch. All the dishes were delicious, but the portion sizes were a bit small, so I recommend that men order the pasta in a large size. The drinks were all-you-can-drink, and while there was a good selection of teas, be careful as some coffees come with an extra charge. The atmosphere of the restaurant is pleasant, making it a good choice for girls' gatherings or meet-ups with mom friends.

A new Italian restaurant opened near my house, so I went there for lunch with my family on a day off (^o^)/ We arrived right at opening time at 11 AM, and more and more customers started coming in, filling the place up within about 30 minutes. The interior has a kids' space, which attracted many families. While there is a lunch menu, we decided to order à la carte and share the dishes. We tried the classic Neapolitan Margherita pizza for 1390 yen, which is the top-selling dish. The crust is thin, topped generously with gooey mozzarella cheese and tomatoes! We also tried the signature "Devil Pasta" for 1090 yen, which is a spicy pasta made with tomatoes, garlic, and chili. You can choose the spiciness level from 1 to 3, and for an additional 270 yen, you can get a grande size (large portion). Their homemade fresh pasta is wonderfully chewy and delicious! Even the grande size was easily finished. For dessert, we had the chocolate terrine for 690 yen, served with vanilla gelato. It was smaller than I expected. I highly recommend this place for casual Italian dining when you're in the mood for something easy and relaxed! Thank you for the meal! ★

I found an Italian restaurant that's just opened up. I went to check it out, and even though it opens at 11, there were already several groups waiting. The clientele was mainly middle-aged women and construction workers, with cars like Teslas and Lexuses in the parking lot. Unsure what to choose, I went for the 2000 yen course. It included an all-you-can-drink option for non-alcoholic beverages, and for an extra 100 yen, I could add champagne. I wanted pizza, but unfortunately, they only offered Margherita. First up was the salad, followed by the onion gratin soup, which was delicious. Then came the pizza, and finally the pasta. The pasta was made with fresh noodles, but I preferred a more standard type. I had two ginger ales and two glasses of champagne. The total came to 4620 yen. It seemed like the young woman handling the service was still getting used to things as she managed the floor all by herself.

A famous Italian family restaurant from the Kanto region has opened its first branch in Kyoto. For some reason, the dessert arrived just two minutes after I ordered, even though I hadn't finished my meal—what a surprise to get a pudding! ✔ The raw pudding didn't come with any explanation, but I guessed I was supposed to use a yellow chicken toy to suck up the egg yolk and put it on top of the pudding (laughs). However, I felt hesitant to put the egg yolk on the pudding, so I just enjoyed it with caramel sauce. It was creamy and incredibly delicious. Since I'm not a huge fan of custard, I found this milk-flavored pudding to be quite to my liking. ✔ The Roman-style Amatriciana had wonderfully chewy pasta, seeming to be fresh pasta. There was plenty of bacon in it. ✔ The bacon and Kita Akari potato Genovese pizza was baked in a solid stone oven, and was authentic. It was tastier than certain Italian chain restaurants, but I thought it was a bit pricey for a family-oriented spot in Kansai. The female staff provided excellent service.

In February 2024, I visited a well-known Italian restaurant that has locations nationwide. Here, you can enjoy authentic dishes like stone oven pizza, homemade pasta, and fresh mozzarella cheese. One of the highlights is their signature dish, the "Devil's Pasta," priced at 1,090 yen (excluding tax). They also offer a popular "limitless toppings pasta," where you can keep adding toppings until you say "stop." The restaurant had a large parking lot, and upon entering, I noticed it was quite lively, especially with many female patrons. While there was a lunch course with an assorted appetizer, I decided to keep it simple and ordered the famous Devil's Pasta. This pasta features tomatoes, garlic, and chili, and you can choose spiciness levels from 1 to 3. Although I may have had something similar at another restaurant, I couldn't recall the details, so I opted for a safe spice level of 1. The pasta had a slight acidity from the tomatoes, and the garlic really stood out. Even at spice level 1, it had a nice little kick to it. The noodles were chewy, though they had a somewhat grainy texture. The sauce was generous, allowing me to enjoy it until the last bite. Thank you for the meal!

Italian Kitchen VANSAN is a family-friendly restaurant. The pasta and pizza courses are reasonably priced. If you add the all-you-can-drink option, you can enjoy unlimited Mlesna tea, which is perfect for tea lovers. There’s also a play area for kids, making it great for family meals. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff's service is excellent. The place is clean and shows careful attention to hygiene. I definitely want to visit again next time.