LOKAL HOUSE touts itself as a gathering place where you can savour carefully selected cuisine with a menu that incorporates local stories to be enjoyed in an unpretentious and friendly atmosphere. Before dinner we weren’t sure what to expect, but by the end of the evening we were converts. We didn’t necessarily want to enjoy Italian cuisine while we were in Japan, but sometimes it is not about the type of cuisine but more about the produce and this is where Japan always surprises you, as it is second to none.
The restaurant is not big and also serves breakfast for hotel guests, all the dining tables are well positioned around the open kitchen, with large floor to ceiling window views to the outside street to watch the world go by and also to witness the real culinary action simultaneously.
The cathedral height ceiling lends itself to a very airy ambience adorned with some specific design accents that are added with large wooden beams from the previous building, antique style ceiling tiles in the manner of pressed roses and a very large artwork on the back wall referencing the office building that used to be on the site which has been done in acrylic panels by a Kyoto artist and it is very striking. Modern yet arty and bringing back the heritage to life.
The tabletops are done in beautiful solid wood and they are simply adorned with some chic antique looking cutlery and elegant Riedel stemware. Soaking up the ambience is always an enjoyable start to the evening, but we were looking forward to seeing how good the food was and some surprises were in store. Seasonal three course set menu is available alongside with the small and well crafted a-la-carte menu, whichever you fancy.
<Assorted Appetizers>
Our evening began with this assorted appetizers that vary everyday, we had the spring roll wrap with shrimp and avocado with pickle sauce which was very crispy, tasty and quite filling and we loved it. The sweet pumpkin from its natural sweetness was simply delectable and well balanced with balsamic vinegar. Despite the processed salami with pistachio ham being rather industrial and the potato omelette with ketchup was lacking a certain something, the deep-fried mackerel was extremely tasty and the tomato base sauce was a hit.
Our evening began with this assorted appetizers that vary everyday, we had the spring roll wrap with shrimp and avocado with pickle sauce which was very crispy, tasty and quite filling and we loved it. The sweet pumpkin from its natural sweetness was simply delectable and well balanced with balsamic vinegar. Despite the processed salami with pistachio ham being rather industrial and the potato omelette with ketchup was lacking a certain something, the deep-fried mackerel was extremely tasty and the tomato base sauce was a hit.
<Garlic Shrimp>
Don’t judge the book by its cover, the presentation may not look as appetizing and this garlic shrimp was the standout of all the small bites, perfectly deep-fried shrimp to a light crispiness with tasty garlic and a dash of pepper. It was so tasty and you eat the whole prawns including the head and tail. We were left wanting more!
Don’t judge the book by its cover, the presentation may not look as appetizing and this garlic shrimp was the standout of all the small bites, perfectly deep-fried shrimp to a light crispiness with tasty garlic and a dash of pepper. It was so tasty and you eat the whole prawns including the head and tail. We were left wanting more!
<“GRAM STEAK” 150g Grilled Japanese Beef Sirloin Steak>
This was very well cooked to medium rare as requested and was so flavourful and tender. The quality of the meat could not be questioned, a total beef heaven. It was accompanied with garlic flakes and salt, so thoughtfully prepared and a carnivore’s delight.
This was very well cooked to medium rare as requested and was so flavourful and tender. The quality of the meat could not be questioned, a total beef heaven. It was accompanied with garlic flakes and salt, so thoughtfully prepared and a carnivore’s delight.
<Kansai Salad with LOKAL HOUSE Dressing and Grilled Vegetable>
A good and fresh salad sometimes is hard to come by and easily goes wrong. This colourful fresh garden greens came with a home-made peppery sesame dressing made with apple, soy and sansho (Japanese pepper). The sauce was rather addictive to go without makes a good combination to savour.
<Burdock Chips>
Burdock is a root vegetable and features quite prominently in Japanese cuisine, mainly used for stock base and yet this is used here to make thin cut chips out of the root deep-fried to golden brown. A new discovery and so organically more-ish!
<Grilled Chicken Thigh with Marinated Herbs>
The chicken meat was beautifully char-grilled, tender and juicy with that smoky flavour that was so rustically delicious. Every morsel was quite a venture and enjoyable, thanks to the quality produce used. No Italian meal should be without Italian wine and we enjoyed a glass of white and red. Firstly a Lama di Pietra Chardonnay 2020 from Puglia that was so fruity and elegant and reminded us why Italian chardonnay can be so good. Secondly a Cascina Chicco Langhe Nebbiolo 2022 from the Piedmonte region that had some surprising complexity and very fruit driven. These worked perfectly with many of our courses from their small yet well chosen wine list.
The chicken meat was beautifully char-grilled, tender and juicy with that smoky flavour that was so rustically delicious. Every morsel was quite a venture and enjoyable, thanks to the quality produce used. No Italian meal should be without Italian wine and we enjoyed a glass of white and red. Firstly a Lama di Pietra Chardonnay 2020 from Puglia that was so fruity and elegant and reminded us why Italian chardonnay can be so good. Secondly a Cascina Chicco Langhe Nebbiolo 2022 from the Piedmonte region that had some surprising complexity and very fruit driven. These worked perfectly with many of our courses from their small yet well chosen wine list.
The Food & Beverage Supervisor Riseon san looked after our table on that evening and well conversed in English with her prompt hospitality ensured us we were not left out and made the evening more relaxing and enjoyable. We didn’t further indulge ourselves and skipped dessert as the generous portions did fill us up and genuinely satisfied our craving. A pleasant dining out evening to remember even on a school night is always a blessing and if nothing else will give you a change of palate while enjoying your holiday, LOKAL HOUSE makes things work and get things right by using the most compatible produce and ingredients for a taste of modern Italian to please your palate.
While some exquisite flavours were to be expected when enjoying Italian cuisine, we thoroughly delighted over dinner from the menu selection and had some surprises cooked from superb quality produce and ingredients. Sometimes the most humble ingredients can be prepared with such expertise and always lets the quality of produce speak for itself as this seemed to be the mantra coming from the kitchen in LOKAL HOUSE, as well as a genuine Italian cuisine.
Tried & Tested:
Location: 4/5
Design & Decor: 4/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 4.5/5
Design & Decor: 4/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 4.5/5
Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.
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