From Ikeda in Osaka, if you go down the national road, you will reach Sogabe-cho in Kameoka. Taking a narrow farm road from this national road, you will find a large farmhouse. There, you will see a sign for "L'ORTO". Upon entering the shop, you will find a restaurant that has been renovated from an old traditional farmhouse. The light entering from the garden creates a pleasant atmosphere. For lunch, there are two options: "Lunch Menu" and "Lunch Course". I decided to go for the "Lunch Course". First, the appetizers. The beautifully arranged plate of dishes looks stunning. From "prosciutto" and "sautéed mushrooms" to "quiche" and "marinated small shrimp", the colorful array of dishes showcases the flavors of local ingredients. Although I couldn't drink because I was driving, the taste made me crave for wine. Along the way, freshly baked "rice flour bread" and "potato bread" were served, and they were delicious when hot. For pasta, I chose the "shrimp and soy milk carbonara". The creamy soy milk coats the noodles, and the firm texture of the shrimp, along with the sweetness of the meat, and the hint of sansho pepper create a delightful flavor. For the meat dish, I went with the "grilled pork belly". The savory aroma of the grilled pork and the sweetness of the fat were delightful. The lightly roasted vegetables served as a side dish were a nice touch. The sweetness of the asparagus and the spiciness of the green chili pepper served as excellent supporting flavors. Finally, the meal was concluded with gelato and cream with fig, presenting a visually appealing and delicious ending. This restaurant offers a satisfying and delicious lunch in a traditional farmhouse setting.

I found out that an Italian restaurant opened on the outskirts of Kameoka City on July 20th, so I drove there to visit. I made a reservation by phone just in case, and when I arrived around 11:30 am, the restaurant was renovated from an old Japanese-style house, with tatami rooms equipped with table seats and a traditional Japanese seating area. The lunch menu offered two options: pasta lunch and a course menu, and this time I decided to try the "L'ORTO course" (3,080 yen), which included appetizers, pasta, main dish, homemade bread, dessert, and a drink. I chose the "Eggplant and Black Wagyu Beef Bolognese" pasta from the four options, and for the main dish, I chose the "Garlic Steak with Bonito Fish." The appetizer included a variety of dishes such as vegetables, fish, chicken, raw ham, and omelet served on a large white plate. There were two types of homemade bread: "Campagne," which was crispy on the outside with a fragrant whole wheat flavor and a chewy texture inside, and "Bread made from raw rice," which was freshly baked and had a mochi-like chewy texture and a hint of sweetness. The pasta was cooked al dente and topped with powdered cheese, a rich tomato-based sauce with the acidity of tomatoes, and tender black Wagyu beef and eggplant. The main dish featured roasted bonito fish with a balsamic vinegar sauce and garlic chips, which was very delicious when paired with the accompanying side dishes. For dessert and drink, I had "Mint and Vanilla Bavarois with Melon" and "Hot Coffee," which complemented each other well. Although the lunch was a bit pricey, considering the quality and composition of the dishes, I thought it was a reasonable price. Reservations are required for dinner, but it seems that walk-ins are okay for lunch. However, since there were many customers when I visited, it might be better to make a phone reservation before visiting.