I visited # Niku to ieba Matsuda's Nara main branch in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture for the first time. The location is on the second floor of a building in front of Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station.This is a meat kaiseki restaurant, primarily featuring dishes made with Yamato beef.On this day, I had made a reservation for the weekday lunch short course.The course included:Appetizers (3 assorted dishes)- Roast beef from the sirloin cap with new onions- Thinly sliced tongue with kombu salt- Beef tartareHamburg Steak- Hamburg made from the shoulder and neck cuts, served with a new onion sauce and wasabiMain Course- Rice (Yudai 21 from Fukushima Prefecture)- Chateaubriand katsu stew- Beef shigure- Miso soup- Pickled Chinese cabbageDessert and tea- Gelato inspired by sakura mochi- Yamato teaThe appetizer tongue was served as sashimi, and sprinkling it with kombu salt enhanced its umami flavor. The roast beef highlighted the sweetness of the sirloin cap fat and the sauce that made you crave rice.The beef tartare, with yam and finely chopped beef, had a refreshing taste.Next, the hamburg steak was juicy, locking in the flavors of the fat and meat, complemented by the sweet new onion sauce and the refreshing kick of wasabi—absolutely delicious. It definitely made me want more rice.The main course of the short course featured rice made from large, sweet Yudai 21, accompanied by the beef katsu stew and beef shigure. The beef katsu stew was luxuriously made with Chateaubriand, and the seasoning with onions was exquisite. The beef shigure stood out with its sweet and salty flavor, making it perfect for a bowl of rice. I quickly ran out of rice and ordered a refill. Additionally, curry was served as a side dish, which was also delicious.The dessert gelato resembled sakura mochi, with a rich sweetness and the aroma of sakura leaves—it was delightful. The Yamato tea also had an authentic taste.Although it was a short course, the portion was just right, and considering the quality of the ingredients and flavors, I believe it offers great value for money. I definitely want to visit again.It seems there are several branches, so I’m eager to check those out as well.It was a great meal.