kamokawa
Located 3 blocks west from the tram station on Tanuki Koji Shopping Street, there is a restaurant on the second floor. The interior has 7 counter seats, 2 tables for 4 people, and 2 tables for 2 people. The restaurant is run by a male chef and a female sommelier, who engage in light conversation with each customer about topics like the weather. Visiting at noon on a Saturday, there were a few empty seats initially, but it quickly became full. It's recommended to call ahead to ensure a table. I ordered the pasta lunch set for 1,800 yen, which includes a plate of assorted appetizers, homemade bread, pasta (choice of 4 types), and a drink. You can also add a main dish and dessert for an additional 650 yen. The appetizer plate was beautifully presented with 7 varieties including quiche, chicken liver pate, ham, marinated smelt fritters, grilled eggplant, marinated pine mushrooms, and eggplant with tomato and cheese. I opted for the porcini mushroom tagliatelle (+1,200 yen) as my main, which had a fragrant aroma. The tagliatelle was not too soupy, so it's best eaten promptly. For dessert, I chose the catalana and wood strawberry sorbet (+650 yen). We also had coffee after the meal. We enjoyed 3 glasses of sparkling wine, red wine, and white wine. Despite drinking in the afternoon, the total bill for two was just under 14,000 yen. It was a great Italian restaurant with a distinctive mushroom-themed menu and a pleasant atmosphere.