Minoko

Minoko Review

Disappear behind a blue curtain off the cobbled streets of Gion into a Japanese fairy tale. Rooms connected by charming wooden passages look out onto an expansive garden, and tables are set with simple but sumptuous decorations, like grand lacquered tables and regal kimonos. The decor sets the scene perfectly for a delicious, if not overly daring, kaiseki ryori meal. The kindly proprietors seem old enough to remember the Meiji Restoration, but their attention to the quality of your meal is unfailing. Inquire about the cozy ko-cha-shitsu, or "small tearoom" that's perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Minoko is less than a block from Yasaka Jinja's southern gate. Only minimal English is spoken, so have your concierge make the reservation for you.