I am going to take yet another detour today and write about this lovely little restaurant in Kyoto where I had a uniquely wonderful lunch a few weeks ago. Everything about this restaurant from the adorable wooden building in the Gion district of Kyoto to the intricately prepared meal was absolutely breath-taking. I don’t say ‘breath-taking’ a lot in my reviews, but Takumi Okumura is in a class of its own. A friend recommended this French-Japanese style restaurant for my day trip to Kyoto and I will be forever grateful.

A most elaborate tray of tiny appetizers in various designs and colors was presented to us and I simply could not stop marveling over the creativeness of this display.

A sensational dish of seasonal fish with a crunchy freshness followed.

Then came a lovely cup of cawan mushi (egg custard) in delicate blue and white china.

Succeeded by another seafood dish of fish and clam.

And no, we are not done yet, another lovely cup of cream soup came afterward.

And no, we are still not done, the last and main course was some luscious beef accompanied with the most decent bowl of curry rice.

Our waitress then came with a wondrous tray of dessert from which we were supposed to pick our dessert of choice. When I told her I wanted everything, she offered to give me mini portions of everything to which I joyfully accepted.

Thus, our delicious meal ends and I have to say this splendor actually came at a somewhat reasonable price for Japan. Lunch for 4 was around 32,000 yen.

I hope you noticed the ever-changing exquisite plates in which our food was presented in. I loved them. I loved our meal and I love this restaurant.

Price : $$$

TAKUMI OKUMURA: 570-6 Gion Machi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku,Kyoto. Phone : 075-541 2205.