Hotel bar. The view of the courtyard through the glass is beautiful. It's a shame that the emergency lights are visible. The counter is low, making it a bit uncomfortable. I guess they prioritize the atmosphere. I ordered the recommended Maker's strong carbonated highball and a gin and tonic. The highball had foam accumulating on top like beer. The foam was fluffy like beer. It was interesting, but I prefer the regular kind. The gin and tonic was the sweetest I've ever had. I was shocked at how sweet they could make it. Now I regret not ordering a gimlet. I wonder what kind of gimlet it would be. I wanted to try a short drink of gin. They put lime in first, and used Beefeater gin. Instead of stirring with the swizzle stick, they crushed it vigorously. It wasn't the usual quick stir. The gin and tonic was 1477 yen, and the highball was 1324 yen. Maybe the highball was part of a happy hour? I'm not sure if they have it on New Year's Day. It's clear that the drink prices include tax and service charge. I was impressed that the Yamazaki 18-year-old was over 4000 yen. The cake set was sold out, so I couldn't try it. Next time, I'll try the cake set and the gimlet. Thank you for the meal.

A bar inside the Kyoto Tokyu Hotel. The bar has a large room with table seats and a counter. Visited around 10:30 pm and there were a decent number of customers. Started with whiskey for the first drink, then went for a red wine glass, which was an unusual way of drinking. Realized that whiskey or cocktails are the best choices at a hotel bar.

The Mont Blanc cake that I saw on the bulletin board in the hotel was stuck in my head, so I decided to visit. It was already 7 pm, so I wasn't sure if I could still order cake during bar time. I mustered up the courage to ask at the entrance, and they said it was no problem to order. Since it was bar time, I debated whether to pair the cake with champagne or just have coffee. I chose coffee because I had work to do later. The Mont Blanc cake had chestnut compote and chocolate decorations on top. When I cut into it with a fork, I could see the beautiful layers inside. Taking a bite of all the layers at once was pure bliss. The perfect sweetness and chestnut aroma delighted my whole body. Rinsing the lingering sweetness in my mouth with coffee was also a joy. The combination of chestnut and coffee aromas created a luxurious sensation that was indescribable. I recommend enjoying cake in the dim, sophisticated lounge to everyone.

After dinner, I felt like having a drink so I went to this restaurant. I ordered a whiskey shot and appetizer set, with the main appetizers being Omi beef, duck, and cod. I thought it would be simple flavors, but I was pleasantly surprised by the distinct taste changes brought by the fruit sauce, vegetable mousse, and truffles.

I visited during the evening gap on a weekend in September 2018. It is located in the basement of the Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, mainly focusing on the bar. I ordered a cake set, with the option to choose coffee or tea. You can choose your cake by looking at actual samples displayed in front of you. I chose a strawberry shortcake, which is said to be one of the signature cakes at this tea lounge. Personally, I would have liked more strawberries inside, but the balance of strawberries, cream, and sponge was good and delicious. The tea was served with a tea server and had a refreshing taste. It was quiet when I visited with only one other group of customers. If I have time when staying at the Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, I would like to visit again.

I felt like staying at home, but ended up at a bar due to my father's insistence. I wasn't sure what to talk about, so I asked the bartender for some advice. I ordered a red tea in a tumbler, which was a pre-made product from India with no strong flavor. The coffee was an Americano, on the lighter side, and had a strong bitterness. I decided to go with the coffee. In the end, my mother was able to enjoy some drinks, and my parents were discussing some original concoction which unfortunately ran out of ingredients. I ordered some assorted Japanese rice crackers, which were delicious and went well with the coffee. The atmosphere was lively, with groups of people enjoying tea at the counter. My father ordered a cocktail which turned out to be delicious. The conversation was interesting and the experience overall was enjoyable. My mother was in a good mood, and my parents seemed to be enjoying their time together. If I were to revisit, I would definitely try the rice crackers again. My parents seem to be trying to set me up with someone, but I quickly shut down that conversation. After the coffee, I asked for a lemon in my water, which was a nice touch. My mother's drink had mint, while my father's had orange. Overall, it was a pleasant evening at the bar.

After dining at the "Nochiie" in Gojo, I headed to the bar "Horikawa" at Tokyu Hotel. The lights were dimmed, and soft music played in the background. The lounge was spacious with only two other guests. It was quiet. I ordered the winning cocktail from the HBA Kyoto-Shiga branch cocktail competition, the "Le Heritage" (1500 yen), and a mixed nuts platter (710 yen). The winning bartender was Katsuya Konishi. In the serene atmosphere, the sound of shakers echoed. The cute pink cocktail arrived. Normally, I might think, "1500 yen just for this? I'll stick to canned chu-hi at home." But on this trip, I thought, why not indulge in something I like! I don't know much about alcohol, so I couldn't tell what it was made of. But it was sweet and delicious. I savored every sip. As I leisurely enjoyed my drink, I wrote a review of my dinner. It was a delightful experience in a special setting. Thank you for the meal! ★