Today, my partner and I had our monthly dinner date. The first place we went to was very satisfying. As the evening approached, we felt a bit peckish and decided to go to MEAT UP, which used to be a pub. They specialize in game meat, and we were not disappointed. We happened to run into some colleagues from work, showing how small the world is, especially in Kyoto. We tried various dishes, all of which were delicious. However, the restaurant was too hot inside, and despite mentioning it to the staff, they completely ignored us. It was quite uncomfortable dining in a sweat-inducing environment. If the air conditioning was not working properly, a simple acknowledgment would have sufficed, but being ignored was unacceptable. It seems like my colleagues had a similar experience and were quite upset about it. They say that a restaurant's service is a 7, but the taste is only a 3, and I have to agree.

Today, I visited a game meat restaurant that recently opened on the south side of Kyoto Station. ■ NATURAL BAL MEAT UP This restaurant serves game meat dishes using deer captured in Kasagi-cho, Kyoto Prefecture, which are processed in-house. The restaurant opened on June 9, 2023. The interior has a calm atmosphere with a wood-based design. They offer dishes made with ingredients from southern Kyoto Prefecture, such as deer meat from Kasagi-cho, tea from Wazuka-cho, and blueberries from Minamiyamashiro-mura. Orders are placed using a mobile order format where you scan a QR code with your smartphone. You can check the menu in a booklet listing all the dishes. Appetizers and side dishes are priced around 500-600 yen. Main dishes include deer steak and hamburgers, priced around 1,500 yen, which is quite reasonable for game meat dishes. For dinner, I tried the deer steak (1,600 yen) and deer meat spiced curry (1,480 yen). ● Deer meat spiced curry with black rice from Wazuka-cho This curry has a unique triangular shape with rice in the center and a generous amount of meat, including chicken and deer meat. The curry sauce is light with a moderate spice level, allowing you to enjoy the unique texture of the deer meat, which is tender and flavorful. The spices in the curry help to mellow out the distinctive taste of the deer meat, resulting in a delicious and meaty curry. ● Yamato Aru Kobo's signature deer steak This steak is made from deer thigh meat and served with pea shoots and potato salad. The steak is perfectly cooked to a rare level and is juicy and tender. The deer meat has a mild gamey flavor, making it easy to enjoy while still retaining a wild taste. Overall, I was able to enjoy the deer meat dishes at a reasonable price. The restaurant has a bar format, but you can also enjoy the curry as a standalone dish according to the staff. It's a great place for those looking to try game meat dishes in a casual and approachable setting!