阳光酒店/三舎院

Food conveys the seasons and culture of Japan. The curved earthen walls were fashioned by a plaster craftsman; the Japanese serving-ware was made in collaboration with contemporary ceramic artists. The chef draws inspiration for his cuisine from the strong relationships he fosters with food producers. Consommé made with essence of vegetables and fish is paired with house-made fermented foods. Working closely with producers, the chef creates French cuisine unique to Japan.

The nameplate features calligraphy by Teiichi Yuki, a visionary who helped elevate the status of Japanese cuisine. The second-generation chef upholds the spirit that Yuki, founder of the Kitcho group, inherited from his mentor. The menu reflects the beauty of the seasons and conveys the culture of Japan. Gorgeous hassun appetiser platters incorporate elements of seasonal celebrations, placing traditional culinary craftmanship on full display. Inside the house, which is built in the tea ceremony room style, the decor is simple and rustic. The aesthetics of Japanese cuisine live and breathe in u

This is the place to sample modern Mexican cuisine. Respect for the traditions of the motherland are palpable as Japanese ingredients and modern techniques move the genre forward. Corn, the staple food, along with cacao and chili peppers, is sourced from Mexico, and, following tradition, the food is cooked over a wood-fired grill. Milpa is the name in the Nahuatl (Aztec) language for a farming system that enriches the earth; the chef likens cooking techniques to farming, cultivating a new Mexican culinary culture in Osaka.

An artwork resembling a planet dominates the dining room. Look closely and the ‘planet’ contains overlapping images of cuisine, which gather together to form a picture of the Earth. ‘Dialogue with the Earth’ is, indeed, the theme of this restaurant. The experience of growing up amid the beauty of nature shaped the bold world view of Hajime Yoneda. The digitised recipes and detailed cuisine attest to his experience as a system engineer. Cuisine that draws inspiration from all Creation is imbued with love and respect for nature.

The inspiration for the name ‘Différence’, is a desire to provide a space to spend time away from the quotidian cares of life. The uniform white of the dining room, with its otherworldly milieu, reflects this aesthetic. The concept is ‘French with a sense of Japan’, so the focus is on food grown and raised in Japan. Desserts infused with vegetables to impart a sense of season and pastries combining two favourite Japanese confections, yokan and daifuku, are unique touches. Enjoy flavours and dining a little different from the ordinary.

Dreaming up cuisine that matches the food to the guest is the mission of this Naniwa kappo. The menu’s called ‘Yuno’s omakase’ proclaiming a free-and-easy approach that strays from the norms of Japanese cuisine. Sashimi assortments are paired with onion dipping sauce or condiments; grilled items are dressed with vegetable sauces. Fishbone broth used in hot-pot fare attests to the restaurant’s spirit of wasting nothing. Come to enjoy the chef’s playful spirit and flavours of Osaka expressed through quality ingredients.

‘Taian’ means ‘big hut’, and indeed this little place has a huge spirit. Recalling the apparent paradox of the tea ceremony, in which a small, spare space is made to feel boundless, the cosy and clean décor is exceptional in its modesty. The cuisine crystallises the skill and passion of Hitoshi Takahata, while the contrast between outward appearance and inner content is a reflection of his philosophy. Cuisine with depths of flavour satisfies the soul.