Bimota

Hey, I just wanted to share with you my absolute favorite restaurant in Kyoto. It's a place called "Bimota", and it's only a few blocks from my house! For ¥650, Shouji (the owner) will hook you up with an incredible feast. From the garden-fresh salad (with an impressive home-made dressing) to the savory onion soup, your stomach will delight as you embark on a magical culinary voyage in this quaint 7-seat establishment.

Hung upon the walls and delicately placed around the serving area are little gears and pistons, a reference to the name of the restaurant. A motorcycle helmet and various auto magazines fill a small bookshelf on the wall. The theme is extremely tasteful and gives what otherwise might be a completely charming place the perfect amount of "edge". Another noticeable feature of this restaurant is the number of plants. Covering the beautiful natural wood eating surface and dangling from the ceiling are different shrubbery, which really enhances the eating experience.

Every day, the menu is different; on MWF, a chicken dish is served, and on TuThSa, a beef dish. Like the food, the music changes throughout the week. Sometimes you will hear 80s love ballades from Paris, other days you might hear face-melting guitar solos by a Japanese metal group. When I went today, Shouji was playing some relaxing Brazilian lounge jazz. You will never run out of excuses to go!

Did I mention the food is unbelievably delicious and voluminous?