I am in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto Prefecture. After finishing work in the morning, it's time for lunch. I made a reservation at the popular "cucinetta girasole" in advance. When I arrived, they were fully booked with reservations. It was definitely a good decision to make a reservation. The staff was very polite when making the reservation and when I visited the restaurant. By the way, I heard that the movie "Sunflower" starring Sophia Loren is making a revival hit, and the name of this restaurant is also "Sunflower." The stylish restaurant with natural wood and plaster walls raised my expectations. For my order, I chose the "PRANZO B" dish with chicken and broccoli in cream sauce! - Antipasto assortment: Fresh vegetables served raw, grilled, and stewed, along with frittata and pate. This convinced me that it was a delicious restaurant! - Minestrone soup: A soup with plenty of vegetables and bacon simmered in it. - Chicken and broccoli cream sauce pasta: The cauliflower was changed to broccoli as explained in advance. The dish was full of ingredients, and the cream was not too heavy, which I liked. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente! - Assorted 8 desserts: Chiffon cake, chocolate gateau, ricotta cheese, tiramisu, pear jelly, panna cotta, gelato (vanilla, red bean). This is great! - Iced coffee: The service was prompt, and I enjoyed a delicious lunch in a nice atmosphere! Thank you for the meal!

I was invited by a friend to have lunch at this restaurant. It is located just a few minutes walk from Hankyu Nagaokatenjin Station. It has a lovely hidden atmosphere in a back alley. The lunch set includes appetizer, soup, a choice of main pasta dish, dessert, and coffee for ¥1600 (tax included). The couple who run the restaurant have a wonderful smile even while wearing masks. I was able to relax and enjoy my meal slowly. Thank you for the delicious meal!

On Friday at 12:00, I went to "Cucinetta Jirasore" in Nagaoka Tenjin. I ordered the "Pasta Lunch" and the "Minestrone" soup arrived. It was delicious with lots of vegetables. The color didn't have a tomato feel, but the taste was definitely Minestrone. The homemade focaccia was a bit dry. The pasta of the day, "Spaghetti with White Leeks," arrived. It was delicious with a garlic-infused oil sauce and plenty of sweet white leeks as the only ingredient. With a drink included, it was a good deal at 990 yen. I don't often come to Nagaoka Tenjin, but I would be happy to find a restaurant like this while traveling. Thank you for the meal.

The food is delicious, the staff is friendly, and my wife and I often visit. The owner's good personality is reflected in the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant.

We visited the restaurant for lunch with two people. We had the special lunch for 2,900 yen. The appetizer, soup, pasta, and main dish all had flavors that brought out the ingredients well, and we enjoyed them very much. The meat in the main dish was also delicious, and we felt that the lunch was very good value for money. It would have been even better if they offered free refills of bread. We couldn't have wine because we drove, but looking at the menu, the prices seemed reasonable, so we would like to visit for dinner next time.

My favorite Italian restaurant in this area is cucinettagirasole. I have been coming here many times and finally decided to write a review. The restaurant has a small kitchen and the name means "sunflower" in Italian. The atmosphere is cozy and there are sunflowers displayed in a corner of the restaurant. I usually visit for dinner, and they offer two courses - Pasta Course for 2900 yen and Girasole Course for 4000 yen. The pasta options have remained the same over the years, and I ordered both courses. The appetizer was a mix of seafood and meats, followed by homemade focaccia bread and a delicious potato soup. The pasta dishes were flavorful, especially the Pescaatore with a generous serving of seafood. The Angus beef sirloin was grilled perfectly and served with lentils. The dessert platter included chiffon cake, cheesecake, tiramisu, sorbet, and fruits. Overall, it was a satisfying dinner experience, and the owner even bid us farewell with a smile. Thank you for a great meal!

My hometown is Nagaokakyo City. Sometimes I go back to my hometown. This time, I decided to go to an Italian restaurant here. There doesn't seem to be a dedicated parking lot, but there is a parking lot that they are affiliated with. The restaurant is popular locally, so I made a reservation. When I entered the restaurant, it was packed. I was seated by the window, along the train tracks. It was a bit noisy due to the sound of trains passing by. The space between tables was narrow, making it difficult to have a conversation. It was also cold as cold air leaked from the window. Maybe Izumi is still a countryside after all. There is usually a parking lot available and the restaurants are not as cramped as this one. The evaluation criteria may also be based on Izumi standards. Now, about the food. I ordered the Chef's special lunch set. The appetizer was tasty, but I wish there was more of it. Also, it would be better if the flavors didn't mix together, so a separate plating would be nice. The soup and pasta were decently delicious. The main dish was beef steak, but it was a bit tough. It would be better if it was more tender. Overall, the food was good but it didn't have a standout feature. I also wish the restaurant was more spacious.

I visited a hidden Italian restaurant on my way back from a maternity massage appointment in Nagaokakyo City. The staff recommended a special lunch for Living readers, which I decided to splurge on. The atmosphere was charming, with friendly staff and a chef who looked the part. The appetizer was simple and delicious, with a touch of sweet tomato sauce. The vegetables were prepared just right, and I appreciated the addition of chopsticks alongside the usual utensils. The minestrone soup was comforting, especially when paired with homemade focaccia. The daily pasta special, Pesce all'arrabbiata, was flavorful and easy to eat. The main course, roasted saddle of lamb with truffle and mushroom sauce, was rich and satisfying. The tiramisu dessert was a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. Overall, I was happy with my choice to indulge in the lunch course. The restaurant was smoke-free and catered mostly to older female customers, creating a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. I left feeling content and ready to tackle the rest of my day. I will definitely be back to visit Himawari again!

Nagaoka Tenjin Cucinetta Jirasore 2016-04-25 08:30:00 Theme: Kyoto: Italian Located right near the station along the railway tracks After seeing the azaleas of Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, I went back to the GO Casual and relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant You can choose pasta PRANZOA Appetizer assortment Vegetables, ham, and more, over 10 varieties The colors and tastes are gentle and elegant Today's soup was minestrone Hot and full of ingredients, minestrone is delicious, right? The homemade bread was focaccia Spaghetti with firefly squid and rapeseed flowers Rich firefly squid with the bitterness of rapeseed flowers and the flavor of clams, truly a pasta filled with spring Scallops with seaweed and gorgonzola cream sauce The sauce created by gorgonzola and the flavor of the sea is great Desserts come in three varieties Tiramisu, honey gelato, chiffon cake Enjoyed deliciously with coffee It seems to be a popular restaurant where you can enjoy casually There were many female customers and it was very lively Thank you for the meal.

I had known about this place for a while but had never really paid attention to it. It's conveniently located near the station, so I decided to visit while running errands. The interior of the restaurant wasn't very big, with about 15-20 people filling it up. I ordered the special lunch set (2100 yen) and was impressed by the appetizers, which were seasoned differently for each ingredient. The main dish of beef zabuton was a hit, with a generous portion size of around 120g or maybe even more. The sauce with balsamic vinegar added a refreshing touch, making it easy to finish. The dessert was also quite substantial. While the cost performance of the special lunch set may be debatable, the taste was truly exceptional. I hope to find the opportunity to visit again.

On Wednesday, I went on a Jazzercise field trip to Nagaokakyo. It was a lively and fun outing with my classmates. I attended two classes led by wonderful instructors and had a great time. I received a warm welcome and had some heartwarming reunions and encounters. It was a full house, so I apologize for intruding. I met some people who mentioned reading my blog, and their kind words were very encouraging. Thank you! I hope to see you again soon! Lunch was at a nearby restaurant called cucinettagirasole, which I found through research and made a reservation. The food was delicious, with a variety of appetizers, organic vegetables, and homemade focaccia. The main course included a hearty minestrone soup and a pasta dish with lots of vegetables. We also tried the anchovy tomato sauce pasta and enjoyed three different desserts. It was a delightful and satisfying meal. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was lovely. The conversations were so engaging that we almost lost track of time. Overall, it was a fun and memorable Jazzercise field trip, and I look forward to the next one.

Italian restaurant near the station This time, I was taken to an Italian restaurant called Cucinetta Girasole near Nagaokakyo Station by my partner's recommendation. The parking lot is a bit far away, so you have to walk a little. The restaurant is located a short walk from Hankyu Nagaotenjin Station, along the railway tracks, so you might be worried about the noise from the trains. There is a menu board at the entrance of the restaurant, which looks cute. Upon entering, the staff greeted us and when we mentioned our reservation, they escorted us to our table. The evening course includes appetizers, soup, pasta, and dessert for 2900 yen, and there is also a 4000 yen course that includes a main dish, as well as individual items on the menu. This time, we ordered the 4000 yen course. My partner has been here many times before and he mentioned that "the food here is a bit slow to come out, but it's very delicious." There were several other customers dining around us, chatting while enjoying their meals. Next to us, young women with small children were having a great time, and the children were well-behaved and quietly enjoying their meals, which was heartwarming. Soon, a large plate was brought to us with an assortment of appetizers. It included prosciutto, ham with plum, pate?, salmon with vegetables, tomato and cheese, and in the center, there was a big pot of grilled turban shell, which was seasoned with escargot butter-like garlic and parsley. The hamachi with plum was particularly delicious, and all the dishes were enjoyable in both appearance and taste. It was a great way to start the meal. Next was the minestrone soup. It had a thin tomato base with plenty of small chopped vegetables. The seasoning was well-balanced, and the abundance of vegetables made it feel healthy. As we were eating, bread was served. Then came the pasta. I had the seafood pasta, which had a gentle tomato sauce. The portion was light, and the pasta was cooked perfectly with the flavors of the seafood melding well with the sauce. On the other hand, my partner's pasta was a bit delayed. He had the cold pasta with caviar. I was curious to see how much caviar would be served at this price, and it turned out to be quite a generous amount. However, the portion of pasta was a bit on the smaller side. When I tried it, the thin pasta was mixed with caviar and chives, creating a light and pleasant dish. The caviar was not overly salty and added depth to the pasta. Finally, it was time for the main course. She chose the chicken, which had a crispy skin. I opted for the lamb, which was cooked to a nice medium-rare. It was tender, without any strong lamb flavor, and very delicious. Yummy! By this point, we were feeling quite satisfied. Dessert was served last, with a variety of chocolate treats. We enjoyed chatting with each other over coffee. Despite hearing that the food might take a while to come out, we didn't really feel like we had to wait too long. The dishes were all delicious, and the staff's service was casual and pleasant. After settling the bill and stepping outside the restaurant, I suddenly remembered that we were right by the railway tracks... but strangely, I hadn't even noticed the noise during our meal. Thank you for the wonderful meal! Overall Rating: Taste: ★★★★☆ Customer Service: ★★★☆☆ Atmosphere: ★★★☆☆ Additional Value: ★★★★☆ Cost Performance: ★★★★☆ Happiness Level (Overall Score): ★★★★☆ Date of Visit: July 15, 2014

Visited around 12:00 on a regular day. The location is visible when walking along the road northwest of Hankyu Naga-Tenjin. There is parking space for two cars. However, the restaurant and parking lot are separated. To get to the parking lot, go to Azalea Street north of Hankyu Naga-Tenjin, turn onto Seven Street northwest, and then turn left at the second intersection to find the parking lot on the right. In front of the parking lot, there is a small vegetable garden. The parking lot notice includes a map of the shortest route from the parking lot to the restaurant. Photos can be helpful. The exterior is located on the first floor of a two-story apartment building. A large painting of two people serves as a landmark. Inside the restaurant, there are a few table seats, and the decor is simple. Upon entering, about four staff members greeted us warmly. The person who seemed to be the manager had a very cheerful smile and provided excellent service. When we entered, there was a group of 10 people and two ladies present. Additionally, there were two reserved seats. We did not make a reservation and were able to enter smoothly, but it is recommended to make a reservation if possible. I ordered PRA NZO A (1500 yen) and my wife ordered the pasta lunch (950 yen). The contents of PRA NZO A include assorted appetizers, soup of the day, homemade bread, a choice of three pasta dishes, coffee or tea, and three desserts. The pasta lunch includes soup of the day, pasta of the day (no choice), and coffee or tea. We were served the assorted appetizers without much wait. The assortment included beans, pumpkin, prosciutto, zucchini, scallops, omelet, boiled egg, salmon, carrots, turnips, cauliflower, small shrimp, and mushrooms. The sauces were parsley sauce and a sauce made with mayonnaise and something else. While the portions were not large, the variety was surprising. The freshness of the vegetables and seafood was evident. The vegetables were crisp, and the seafood was tender. The flavors were subtle, allowing the natural tastes of the vegetables and seafood to shine. Next was the minestrone soup, which contained cabbage, carrots, onions, bacon, and parsley. The combination of various vegetables and the meaty flavor of bacon created a delicious umami taste. The parsley added just the right amount of aroma, making it a satisfying dish. The homemade bread was focaccia, with a chewy texture. Then we were served the spaghetti with bacon and rapeseed blossoms. The pasta was dry but cooked al dente. The portion was not large, and the bacon was thickly sliced, while the rapeseed blossoms were slightly larger than the bacon. The balance of flavors was excellent, with a subtle taste and a lack of greasiness. The acidity and sweetness of the tomatoes were skillfully brought out in the dish. The dessert trio included chiffon cake, white chocolate mousse, honey sherbet, and fruits such as kiwi, strawberries, and oranges. The chiffon cake was subtly sweet and had a fluffy texture. The white chocolate mousse initially lacked a chocolate flavor, but after a moment, the unique taste of white chocolate emerged. The fruits were fresh, and the standout was the honey sherbet. At first, it tasted like plain milk ice cream, but as it passed through the throat, a subtle honey flavor emerged. It was delicately flavored, almost like tasting beyond the flavor, as if described by the gourmet expert Tamura from Kirin beer. Overall, all the dishes were delicate and meticulously prepared. It seems that they pay attention to the ingredients. Be sure to try the desserts and experience the delicate flavors.