一子相伝 京の味 なかむら

Many of these 3 star Michelin places in Japan do not take reservations over the internet and many do not speak English. I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve card's Visa concierge service to secure the reservation. They were extremely useful as they are well experienced in providing this service and kn...ow how to go through the whole process. They take a few choices for restaurants and dates/times and responds rather quickly. I highly recommend using Visa concierge. That said, on to the restaurant itself: the moment you walk through the door, you are greeted by one of the waitresses already waiting for you on the floor. She proceeds to bow the deepest bow possible (forehead touching floor) and greets you in Japanese. They show you into your private room styled in the traditional way (stark empty, sparse designs, no chairs, low table, tatami mats etc). Dinner is a multicourse kaiseki dinner in which the various waitresses come in and out of the room to serve each dish. I wish I could remember half the dishes but there were so many. Almost all of them were exquisitely fashioned pieces of art in appearance and taste. Most of it quite yummy but tends to veer toward the: "surprise!" and "you'll never guess what rare, imaginative ingredient this has!"-type of innovations as opposed to the outright "yummy goodness" type of dish. Nothing was bad by any means, but I get the impression the chef was aiming more to impress than to satisfy. The unfortunate end result is that while I certainly enjoyed the food, my lasting impression of the experience was actually of the exquisite ceramics and serveware and the unique surrounding of the private room. This needs a special mention -- this is the second time I've been to Japan but the first time I've experienced private dining like this (I also did it a few days later at a temple resort in Mt Koya). I have to admit: it's not for me. My friend who I travel with and I are huge foodies who love eating and normally have a fun time with garrulous conversation. The quite, hushed, austere setting of the private room was oddly stifling. For absolutely no explicable reason, we found ourselves talking to each other in hushed voices. Perhaps it was because this was our first time with private dining but it was not our cup of tea. Bottom line: if you want to try a suuuper traditional, refined experience, this is the place for you. If a more modern vibe is what you're looking for, you might want to try out some of Kyoto's other 3 star michelin offerings.

May 2019に訪問

I rarely write reviews but I feel compelled to do so. I am writing this WHILE at the restaurant. I have eaten at some of the best 3 star restaurants around the world. This doesn’t even deserve one. The food is basic, uninteresting, poorly presented, and bland. The decor was as the food, nothing to b...e desired. No value at all, wouldn’t recommend without a star. Please go to Kichisen or Kikunoi instead. Wanted to try something new and that was a big mistake.

October 2018に訪問

Have been there in June for anniversary. Upon entrance, it is a spacious Japanese style room, very good privacy! The food is more than excellent, the grilled fish and the fish soup is so delicious! The toufu and white miso are great taste! When we leave, the main chef send us out and still bowing to... us even we are one block away! Absolutely terrific food and sevice!

June 2018に訪問

I had great expectations, given the restaurants reputation on the foodie scene. I should have been warned by the prior reviews. Food presentation was boring, quality of ingredients mediocre, repetitive courses (we had fish for every almost every hot course, and many dishes used the same type of fish...), and frankly just not good tasting. I have eaten at all the other top kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto, and whilst each have their individual style which appeals to some people more than others, they were all an impressive eating and presentation experience. Sadly Nakamura is so far away from them, I struggle to understand how it got its reputation.

April 2018に訪問

This was the worst dining experience that I had during my 9 day stay in Japan. The meal was not memorable. Cooked Uni was served as sushi. Uni was served in soup broth. Uni was served as an entry. I explained to the waitress who spoke perfect English that I do not like Uni. Unlike most highly ...rated restaurants, they did not cater to my requests and the food was not at all creative or memorable. I did not eat most of it... Dinner cost me well over $350. I would not recommend this establishment.

September 2017に訪問