Nabetoshunsaitokyoryori Pontochoh Karyu

Don't count on the address to lead you to Pontocho Karyu. Find the general area, then ask someone for help. The entrance is located down a small hallway with no indication (in English, at least) that it's there. That being said, Karyu offers a limited but very delightful menu in the kiseki style ...- a fixed, mulit-course meal. Prices are on the high side - 5,000 to 10,000 yen per person - but the location is lovely, with a view of the river. In the late spring and late summer, the restaurant builds a platform out over the canal, and offers outdoor dining. This is a common practice with the places along Pontocho.

Visited September 2016

It was time for Kaiseki dinner at Karyu (like a degustation). This is going to be interesting because the menu is not in English and the waitstaff do not speak English. So every dish is a surprise and we have no idea what we’re eating, till we remembered our tour guide sent an email with a course li...sting. I really enjoyed the different courses which presented something new and different but was really tasty. We had a lovely view of the river too as we enjoyed our dinner. Despite the language barrier, the lady serving us was really nice and the dinner was excellent, filling, and light on the stomach. Fantastic experience.

Visited June 2015

電話で予約して夜に牡丹鍋フリードリンクつきを食べました。 いかにも京都らしい雰囲気に、接客はスムーズで良かったと思います。 私は牡丹鍋の通ではありませんが、野菜が少ないと感じました。特に大根やゴボウなどは良い出汁を効かせてくれますが、そういう野菜がまったく入っておらず、葉物ばかり。「手を抜いて安く上げてるな」と感じました。 フリードリンクという時点で、大したお酒ではないと思ってましたが、日本酒は無銘で案の定大したことはありませんでした。恐らく昔で言う二級酒でしょう。 二時間以上居れましたが、９０分過ぎたところで「ラストオーダーです」と言われ、「え？予約した時にはそんなこと言われなかったのに」...と思いました。 混雑次第では追い出すつもりだったのかと勘ぐります。 会計の際カードを出したら「特別コースなので現金のみです」と言われました。 これも電話で予約した時には説明されなかったことです。 先斗町に店を構えててもこんなものかと思って帰りました。 鍋の中身と酒の質に対して７５００円は割が良いとは思えませんでした。 リピートはしません。 I don't recommend this restaurant for foreign visitor.

Visited October 2015

Don't get trap by the other reviews. The restaurant is very average and so is the food. Approx 150usd for non quality food for two person.

Visited July 2015

Although I find Pontocho a bit of a tourists trap, this restaurant offers genuine value and hospitality. The staff in their kimono's are well trained, very friendly and explains every beautiful course that the serve to your table. fixed menus of 5000 or 10000 yen, if you want to eat on the terrace (...and who wouldn't). advantage is that you sit at tables on chairs, which is nice for long westerners). We chose the 10-course 5000 yen menu and we were delighted with every course, presented as little works of art. Furthermore, the sake was nice, the service outstanding and the environment what you hope for when you come to Kyoto.

Visited May 2015