Misato

I visited this restaurant on 27th March 2022 with my Japanese wife and Japanese friend. At first we were impressed by the attentive and enthusiastic service but it was soon apparent that the waiting staff were young and lacked experience. The courses were served in a timely manner but the portio...ns were small.The order was: 1. Potage 2. seafood salad (unremarkable) 3.cold chicken 4. tomato compote (I think) 5. fish 6. sweet shrimp pasta (pasta felt similar in texture to instant ramen) 7. asparagus pasta (this was the saltiest dish I have ever tasted) 8. lamb (also salty, poor lamb!) 9. Tiny dessert. Although the course menu seems extensive most dishes were well below standard. We made a special complaint about the asparagus pasta and sent it back to the kitchen. They offered to make a replacement but we did not wish to waste more time waiting for it - we just wanted to go home by this stage. Another point that was really frustrating was that each customer was only given two small pieces of bread for the entire meal. Two. Small. Pieces. Of bread. There was no offer of more bread (we would have gladly paid the extra as the bread was actually quite good). No bread with which to soak up the juices and sauces of the later dishes. It was a great pity. When the time came to pay the bill the chef came out of the kitchen and made a perfunctory apology. There was no discount for the salty pasta dish we hadn't eaten, no complimentary beer, wine or liqueur, no heartfelt expressions of regret. Nothing. This is not a restaurant I would recommend to anyone (only perhaps my worst enemy or former boss). There are many nice restaurants in Kyoto. This was not one of them. Eat somewhere else.

Visited March 2022

So it finally happens, and it probably happens to everyone else..... We got tired of Japanese food on our trip and wanted some really good wine and what else goes wine better than Italian food. After reviewing hundreds of restaurants I settled in on Ristorante Misato. It is a small place with pe...rhaps 6 tables. The reviews intrigued me so we wandered down the little street it is located on to find this great spot. Located in a small 100-year old building, the restaurant delivers in a big way. From the moment you engage with the friendly professional staff to your last morsel or drop of wine - you will not be disappointed. For appetizers, we chose some Italian cheese For an entree, I chose the wild boar pasta. The flavors and texture were perfect and paired great with both of the red wines I ordered by the glass. There was not a hint of gaminess in the meat which is a true sign of a chef hat knows their craft. The first wine was from the list and once they saw how much I was enjoying he meal and wine they opened a new bottle - a 2012 red wine from Montepulciano not on the list. My wife enjoyed red snapper baked in house made breadcrumbs. It was served on local Kyoto vegetables. She chose a Sauvignon blanc sparkling wine and then they shared with her a bubbly red wine that was surprisingly refreshing. We skipped desert but they all sounded great. It was a slow night (Tuesday) so we had very little competition for the waiter’s attention. But he literally could tell the moment I realized I needed more wine or had a question about the menu. English is limited but it’s half the fun. Like so many places their English is so much better than my Japanese, but they will never boast. Make sure you visit the restroom. Seriously. It’s out a door into a small Japanese garden which is an original from the time the building was built 100 years ago. We don’t have GoTo restaurants in Japan because there are so many great ones. But this will be the exception. We will be back!!

Visited November 2018

We went here 3 years ago on our honeymoon in Japan. Today we revisited the restaurant. The taster menu was sublime. The food is always elegantly presented and tastes as good as it looks. The service is attentive never intrusive and even though the menu is in Italian and Japanese they go to great le...ngths to translate it. For a special experience and amazing food this is one place not to miss. Its worth every yen.

Visited June 2017

We went there for dinner, it was delicious. When we arrived around 20h50, there was some other tables with clients but at 21h everyone had left and we were alone. We tought the restaurant close earlier as it was monday but we have never been rushed and the service was excellent, very kind and warm u...ntil the end. The food was very good, we each ate an appetizer after the free "mise en bouche" they served (very good) and then carbonara and pepper/anchovy pasta plates. They were excellent and reasonable portion. They don't have english menu, only italian and japanese, but the server was very good in english and kindly explained all the menu to us. Good experience in a chic restaurant !

Visited May 2017

I arrive here without planning, as I walked by it in a small Street between Kyoto station and the river. It is a small restaurant with nice decor (especially the bathroom...) with friendly staff and great service. I arrived here around noon when they had served lunch. 2 set menus were offered. Th...e food is mixture of Italian and Japanese quizine. I set at the bar facing the open spotless kitchen and I enjoyed the elegant preparation of the meal.. Everything was delicious. While I was eating it started raining. The hostess would let me leave the place without an umbrella. Prices are very resonable. I enjoyed the meal and the service very much. Thank you!

Visited April 2017