Post #33 (15.05.14) >> Modern Kaiseki dinner

Earlier, at the beginning of the blog, I said we weren't going to be doing any fine dining but already being in Kyoto, it would be a waste not to.
Kyoto is the place to experience haute Japanese cuisine after all.

We were to forego the Geisha experience (as mentioned in the previous post) and enjoy our own company for Trevor's actual birthday.

A prior reservation was made for the 10 course specialty degustation menu at Karyo Gion.

Karyo is in heart of the Giesha district, on the main strip of Hanami-koji street.

This restaurant is located in a old japanese building, a former tea-house which has been elegantly restored.

There are counter seats where you can watch the chefs at work and rooms with sunken floors for groups.

The menu changes daily based on the availability of ingredients.

The showcase of this restaurant is a 7 or 10 course modern Kaiseki meal.

Kaiseki is an exquisite multi-course set meal offering beautifully presented, small dishes of fresh seasonal produce and ingredients.
It is a culinary art form where each element is meticulously prepared with the aim to balance the taste, texture & appearance, in order to enhance their flavour.

Even the garnishes were intricate and beautiful.

At this time, we met our host Takumi.
Knowing that he would be a wealth of knowledge, I asked him what exactly it was that i ate a few days ago at the conveyor belt sushi.
He ummed and arghhed and thought about it, moments later he re-appeared with this page printout.

Natto ! Fuck you Natto ! never again !
Takumi you're a champion !

Happy Birthday Trevor ! Cheers !~

Takumi telling us of his personal Sake preferences.

And it keeps flowing ... ~

Warm Sake time ! (I preferred cold)

Why does Trevor look so nervous ?

Drink ! Drink ! Drink ! Drink !

*clap* *clap* WoOo wOoO Mr Wu !!!

Warm Sake ... Cheers !

GAH !~@*$#%

Take away rice for a late night snack.

Goodbye Takumi, our legendary host.

Good company, a delicious meal, hospitable staff.

The only thing missing from this memorable meal was the Wife ! Sorry Cat :\

http://www.karyo-kyoto.jp/gion/index.html

10 course speciality degustation was 10,500Yen/A$110 + service charge & consumption tax.

After saying our goodbyes to Takumi and our waitress, we left the restaurant extremely satisfied.

I felt a little tipsy as we started walking on the paved alley way.
As I was walking, I felt somebody on my right hand side, I turned my head to see a MAIKO!
She was silently huddling past me hoping to turn the corner before I had noticed her.
Unprepared. I had the camera hung around my neck.
Time to Sw00p !... but the camera strap got caught around my tipsy neck.
Photo opportunity of the doll faced Geiko dissappeared, all i got was this blurry back shot.
Boo ~ ~ ~

Back to the train station ...

Icecream vending machine !

Paulie KO'd on the train from Kyoto back to Osaka.

Happy Birthday Trevor !~