Today's lunch was at "cafe&kitchen Iiasu" in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, north of Kao Station on the Randen line. It's a small café in a typical building with an outside staircase blocking the front. I changed my plans when I saw the lunch sign outside and decided to visit. It seems smoking is allowed when it's not lunchtime. The long and narrow interior has a standard café layout with a counter and a few tables. The mother behind the counter is serving customers. The lunch menu offers four choices plus curry. I ordered the classic "Japanese-style hamburger" for 980 yen. A cloth towel is provided. They have a siphon on the counter, showing their commitment to quality. The food was brought out by a man from the kitchen, who seems to be in charge of cooking. The lunch set was a bit more luxurious than the typical daily special at a café. The miso soup had plenty of onions, giving it a comforting flavor. The side dish was boiled vegetables. There were also two small dishes - a rolled omelet and simmered mackerel - adding to the luxurious feel. The rolled omelet was smooth and rich in broth. The Japanese-style hamburger was not your typical grated hamburger; it was stacked high with various toppings, including vegetables like yam and large shimeji mushrooms, providing unexpected textures. I thought it was just a typical café, but the food quality was surprisingly high.

Mix fry for ¥880 and a set coffee for ¥120, siphon style. The meal is a bit pricey, but considering the quality of the fry, the high land prices in the area, and the price and taste of the coffee, I am satisfied.