Higashiyama Ogata

Reviews

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  Alice Chang 3 months ago

  2.0

  Honestly, this was a bit disappointing. As many other reviews have mentioned, the pricing feels excessively high. With dinner costing close to ¥43,000 per person, it was hard to justify when two of the courses were literally a whole daikon radish and a whole carrot served on their own. No matter how well such ingredients are prepared, it still feels poor value for money. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was lovely, but one long-standing issue remains unchanged: there is no drink or wine list with prices. Each of us had one bottle of water and two cups of tea, yet the final bill came to ¥85,140, with no itemized breakdown provided, leaving us quite confused. As for the food itself, the menu mainly consisted of fish, plainly boiled crab, and vegetables. Kyoto has no shortage of kaiseki restaurants, and there are certainly many that offer a more compelling experience at this price point. Despite Ogata’s strong reputation, this branch—without any Michelin stars—does not, in my opinion, deliver cuisine that justifies its pricing.

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  Peter Mckillop 3 months ago

  5.0

  I have read some of the critical reviews - and they truly don’t ‘get’ the art of eating a fine Japanese meal. The dishes reflect the season - and the Daikon is one of the finest selections with its delicate taste. I remember dining at L’Arperge in Paris and they had three variations of Daikon. The drinks is also up to you. They will pair the sake if you ask. We also started with a beer. As for the price, as is traditional in the finest Japanese restaurants, to never know what it will cost or the breakdown. It’s rude. So yes, it is the kind of restaurant that if you have to ask the price, you should not be there. Finally, this restaurant is not really for people who are unfamiliar of Japanese culture or life. If this is a first visit, I suggest another restaurant because you will never ‘get,’ the true ‘value.’ Value is not the food, but a meal, finely prepared based on centuries of tradition, presented by master chefs. Your green tea is served as if it were a tea ceremony. You pay for the changing landscape as afternoon turns to evening. You pay for the sensitivity of putting a fox mask on the first course to reflect the change from winter to spring and to provide you with luck into the spring. You put on the mask and you throw the evil spirit out. If you define value by ‘steak,’ vs ‘daikon’ this place is not for you, and may I suggest the Hyatt above Gion, or Las Vegas.

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  Eddy Yan 7 months ago

  4.0

  Makes one feel its over priced. No menu for sake or wine, just have to trust the chef. No service staff too. Everyone one is behind the counter, cant tell who are the chefs or servers. Not coming back.

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  J Y 7 months ago

  3.0

  Quite disappointed given the original restaurant has 2 stars. Food were mediocre. No fantastic ingredients for the price except is Matsutake mushroom course but nothing ordinary. Only head chef show casing the cutting skill.. sous chef clearing the plates..no server on the floor.. not.. worth the price imo.. at the end of the course..chef was helping to clear plates.. which i think shdnt be..was kind enough to give 3 stars..

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  Goldy Wong 2 years ago

  5.0

  This restaurant is part of a boutiquw hotel of the same name. It is located next to a big Shrine but off city centre of Kyoto. The place is classically decorated, very Zen Japanese feeling. Service is excellent. The food served are sophisticated and very good taste. Absolutely delicious. For a Michelin 2 stars restaurant, this is well deserved. Highly recommended

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  Elisabethmh 6 years ago

  5.0

  Higashiyama is the historic part of Kyoto close to Nishiki Market (food market) and Ponto-chō (restaurant street with traditional architecture and known as geiko and maiko district). Gion (Kyoto's most exclusive and famous Geisha district) is a stone's throw away from the hotel.

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