Itoh Dining Kyoto by Nobu // Kyoto -

Gion (祇園) is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district but also is filled with shops and restaurants. The restaurants have a narrow traditional facade to the street but they extend towards the back until the slow-moving stream. In most restaurants, you can find (if you booked in advance) a table with a river view. We were looking for a place where we could taste some kobe beef and -very luckily- came across Itoh Dining Kyoto by Nobu.

kyoto_nobu_084 — Restaurants tend to have a much different style once you go through the traditional facade. As usual in Japan, a neatly arranged small area of plants welcomes you.

kyoto_nobu_013 — Atmosphere inside is more business casual but there is no dress code. Waiting staff is formally dressed and lighting is carefully set.

kyoto_nobu_005 — As in most places in Japan, it’s common to see a few groups of Japanese businessmen dining with their colleagues. Promiximity with the chef and the possibility to have a light chat is one of the advantages of teppanyaki-style dining.

kyoto_nobu_007 — Yellowtail sashimi and egg-shooter was a good, mild starter.

kyoto_nobu_031 — Tomato stew of the smoke duck burdock root orange sauce. Was pretty good; duck was juicy and tasty. Yet, it was the least impressive course of the evening.

kyoto_nobu_036 — We were not sure of the quality and taste of seared foie-gras on the menu -insert some Parisian snobbery here- but our chef definitely conquered our hearts in the end.

kyoto_nobu_043 — Seared foie-gras served with its toasted bread

kyoto_nobu_021 — Looking at sea bass grilling right in front of our eyes and waiting for it was a pleasure with a twist of torture.

kyoto_nobu_038 — Sea bass with truffle sauce

kyoto_nobu_011 — Our chef is frying/grilling the vegetables for the Kobe beef.

kyoto_nobu_071 — We are almost there. highlight of the dinner, Kobe beef is cut into slices before being served.

kyoto_nobu_046 — It was our first time with Kobe beef. We definitely enjoy good meat and had a chance to eat delicious cuts in NY and in Chicago but it’s fair to say that Kobe beef was the best we’ve ever eaten.

kyoto_nobu_004 — Chef fries the garlic to prepare the cooking oil base and then fry remaining kobe beef bits and fat to add more texture and taste.

kyoto_nobu_060 — He then fries the rice and stirs everything together.

kyoto_nobu_062 — Nothing better to finish off a teppanyaki meal then a garlic rice.

kyoto_nobu_074 — Tatin of apple with vanilla ice-cream. Finally some proper dessert in Japan. We don’t mind tea-infused biscuits and sweet red beans but nothing beats European desserts.

kyoto_nobu_025 — Teppanyaki-style dining is perfect to socialize with people around you. Japanese seem to be shy in front of non-Japanese but once the conversation starts, the uneasiness disappears.

kyoto_nobu_067 — The back side of the restaurant -as mentioned at the beginning of the post- is overlooking a slow-moving stream. This side of the restaurant is more appropriate for small private parties.

Address: 伊藤ダイニング Japan 〒605-0085 京都府京都市東山区八坂新地末吉町８０

Phone: +81 75-525-3235

http://www.itoh-dining.co.jp/kyoto_shop/index.html