Chez KiKuSui

　I first visited Chez KiKuSui when my supervisor took me there during my postgraduate studies. I’ve been going there for over 15 years now.

　Lunch starts at 2,000 yen and includes a salad, soup, bread, a main course of fish or meat, and a choice of coffee or tea. In particular, the homemade bread is served in unlimited portions; they’ll keep bringing it out until you’re absolutely stuffed.

　Today I had a bavette steak made from flap meat. In Japan, due to its shape, it is known as ‘kainomi (shellfish meat)’. Although this is a traditional dish from Lyon, the French culinary capital, here it is served with a Japanese-style sauce based on sake, mirin and dark soy sauce, garnished with horseradish. It suits my palate perfectly.

　It’s a bistro where chatting with the cheerful owner is part of the fun. It’s one of the restaurants I’d highly recommend if you’re ever visiting Kyoto.