■ Pre-visit Evaluation ★ 3.09 The shop is located about a 5-minute walk from Keage Station's east exit, in a residential area. I happened to come across the shop on my way back from a meal. I recognized the shop from a distance thanks to the blue sign. I entered the shop around 10:45 PM, just before closing time. ■ Atmosphere & Service Near the entrance, there are clothes hanging on hangers. According to the sign, they seem to be selling second-hand clothing. The shop has an atmosphere of an adult cafe bar. ■ Drinks I tried the recommended organic wine. The owner's wish is for customers to enjoy organic wine that doesn't cause headaches the next day, listening to the feedback from customers. I tried both white and red, and they were both incredibly easy to drink. They had a clean taste without any rough edges, making it easy to enjoy. It was my first time trying organic wine, and it was delicious. I ended up drinking 4-5 glasses of wine. ■ Taste I ordered a three-item plate of bean thread noodles, potato salad, and simmered broccoli. The light seasoning paired well with the wine. I didn't take a photo, but I also had a plate of spaghetti aglio e olio at the end. Like the three-item plate, it had a light yet well-seasoned taste, and it was delicious. Since I had already eaten, the light seasoning of the dishes was perfect. ■ Overall Since there were no other customers near closing time, the staff engaged in various conversations with me. It has the feel of a hidden cafe-bar in a residential area, and I think people who enjoy this kind of atmosphere will love it.

I was searching for a lunch spot in Katsura and found this place through a search. Thank goodness for Tabelog, it really comes in handy at times like this (laughs). The restaurant is run by a female owner alone. The atmosphere is nice with feminine decorations, slow-tempo dance music playing in the background, lovely♪ I ordered the plate lunch. Today's special was Bulgogi (Korean), but they also offer other Asian-inspired mains. The presentation of the rice already had an ethnic touch (laughs), but the side dishes included cold tofu, mayo-dressed vegetables, and 4 other items. They also served miso soup with bonito broth on the side, along with a separate salad, a healthy and well-balanced lineup. The owner kindly mentioned to let her know if I wanted more rice, which was thoughtful. The restaurant is close to Katsura Station but located in a residential area, so it may be a bit hard to find. Nonetheless, I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal.

I had been curious about Blue Dot Cafe for a while. It's a cafe located in a back alley near Hankyu Katsura Station that locals might not even notice. I visited on a Saturday afternoon just past 12 o'clock. The only customers were groups of elderly women, both before and after me. The interior of the cafe is simple, with exposed steel beams and concrete walls, but it has a clean and appealing atmosphere. The background music adds to the exotic feel of the place. Today's plate lunch (980 yen including tax) featured Tandoori chicken as the main dish, along with stir-fried water spinach, cold capellini with tomato, anchovy potato salad, temple and bamboo shoot sweet and spicy stir-fry, cold tofu, leafy green salad, rice, and miso soup. It's a mix of Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese cuisines on one plate, creating a unique international dining experience. I later learned from the owner that the menu changes daily with dishes inspired by Indonesia, Thailand, etc. The Tandoori chicken (or rather, chicken tikka) was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly, with a slightly spicy tomato sauce on the side for added flavor. The capellini was made with somen noodles, giving it a unique taste that still had an Italian touch. The plate lunch was presented in a cute and charming way, typical of a cafe lunch, so it may not be enough for those looking for a hearty meal. It was just right for elderly women or those with smaller appetites. Overall, it felt like a place to enjoy exotic dishes in a simple setting while listening to mysterious music.

I had been curious about this local cafe for a while and finally got a chance to visit. After having dinner at Inoue in Arashiyama and returning to Katsura, I felt like ending the night with a coffee, so I remembered this place. It's located a little east of Hankyu Katsura Station, down a side street. Inside, there are table seats for 4 people, a larger table, and a counter with about 5 seats. It's a very cozy cafe. I ordered: - Mild blend iced coffee (400 yen) - Chocolate cake - Jim Beam highball (400 yen) - Fried potatoes It was the perfect way to end the night. I ended up staying longer than I had planned, but it was so relaxing. They have a variety of menu options, including pasta, Vietnamese-style spring rolls, and steak. They also stay open until 11:30 PM, so it's a very convenient cafe for meals, coffee, or even a drink. I think it would be nice to go out at night and enjoy a leisurely coffee time. I definitely want to visit again. Thank you for the meal. <(_ _)>

2016.07 Review Revisit to the cafe "blue dot cafe" that left a good impression when I visited in June. Today's lunch is "Pork and Bitter Melon with Yuzu Pepper Stir-fry", "Fried Conger Eel", "Crispy Roman Ham Tartare", "Cucumber, Bean Sprout, and Zasai Pickles", "Koya Tofu", "Miso Soup", and "Rice" for ¥980. The dishes are beautifully presented with vibrant colors. Just as delicious as last time! The Bitter Melon with Yuzu Pepper has a strong flavor that goes well with the rice. The Fried Conger Eel is crispy and delicious. The Roman Ham is rich and the block-cut texture paired with the tartare is excellent. This place is particularly good with meat dishes. I visited in the evening a while back, and they offer authentic salami and meat dishes. The organic wines they offer are carefully selected. This is a favorite spot in the peaceful neighborhood of Katsura where you can relax and enjoy. 2016.06 Review "Lovely Lunch! Seems great for dinner too!" Today, as part of my "Katsura Series" exploring restaurants within a 5-minute walk from Katsura Station East Exit, I visited "blue dot cafe". The distinctive black and blue-green circular sign on the building in a quiet residential area one street south of the main street from the East Exit serves as a landmark. It blends in well with the residential area. The interior is predominantly white with small tables and a counter. The wooden tables have character, and it's fun to see various types of chairs placed around. The menu includes Plate Lunch, Green Curry, and Chicken Butter Curry, all priced at ¥980 with an additional ¥200 for a drink. I ordered the Plate Lunch and Green Curry. The staff warned us that the curry is spicy, but our staff is okay with spicy food so it's all good! First, a small salad is served as part of the set. It's a simple salad with lettuce and carrots. The main Plate Lunch is served after about 10 minutes. It consists of a round portion of rice (perhaps symbolizing the restaurant's logo?), "Pork Cutlet with Vegetable Sauce", "Vietnamese-style Rolled Omelette", "Cucumber and Tuna with Mayonnaise", "Romaine Lettuce Ohitashi", and "Miso Soup" beautifully arranged on a single plate. The miso soup is delicious with a gentle flavor. The main dish, "Pork Cutlet with Vegetable Sauce", is clearly homemade and the seasoning on the meat is perfect with the vegetable sauce. The other side dishes are also excellent! The staff's spicy Green Curry is next, with plenty of vegetables and garnished with cilantro. It looks quite light in texture. The smell is already spicy. I took a bite, and it's spicy! But it also has a coconut flavor that makes it "mellow". A strange spiciness! The first bite is spicy, but the aftertaste is sweet, and the spiciness lingers. This is delicious! The Chicken Butter Curry, the other dish, also seems promising! There's a menu board on the wall with the evening menu (no photos). This place seems great for dinner! They serve Heartland draft beer and have a selection of wines that the owner takes pride in. It's a unique restaurant that seems to suit me somehow! The staff is also very pleasant! I definitely want to visit in the evening sometime. What a great find!

I had some errands in Saiin, so I decided to stop by for lunch. From the east exit rotary, I walked straight east down a side street one block south. I wasn't familiar with this area, other than knowing about some Ryoma-related bars and izakayas near Keio Saiin. So, I wasn't sure where to have lunch... But I saw a recommendation from a local MyRebi member, so I figured it must be good! When I checked their Facebook after returning home, I found out they also host live events at night, so it seems to be a bar that is loved by the locals. The lunch menu only had one option, but it wasn't your typical meal. It was a chicken cutlet with an Indonesian twist, served with an omelette as the main dish. Surprisingly, they also served miso soup. The side dishes included dried fish with spinach, a citrus-flavored salad, and other unique combinations of Japanese and Western flavors. The vegetables, including the salad, were delicious! I added a coffee for an extra 200 yen after the meal, and it was also high quality. The portion size was just right, leaving me satisfied but not overly full. As someone who doesn't want to spend 600 yen on a crowded set meal, I thought this place was a good choice. There are plenty of coin parking lots nearby, so I will definitely come back. Hopefully, next time they will have additional options like curry or another dish to add to the lunch set. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

A cozy cafe located in a residential area just a short walk from Hankyu Katsura Station. The owner, a mother, serves up delicious ethnic dishes with plenty of herbs. The dishes made with cilantro are especially outstanding. They offer a selection of carefully curated wines to pair with the food. If you're unsure, the handsome son will kindly recommend something for you. While not regular, they also host events like live music. It's a casual cafe where you won't get bored even if you're dining alone.