This was my second visit since I came here last December. I was surprised to see the chef again after such a long time! He has lost a lot of weight and his perm is so curly—he looks like a different person! (laughs) Unusually, I toasted with a beer, which I’m not fond of. After that, I enjoyed a selection of Japanese sake chosen by the chef. The dishes featured summer vegetables, Kyoto vegetables, conger eel, sweetfish, Wagyu beef, soft-shelled turtle, and eel—ingredients perfect for preventing summer fatigue. I savored the "Motoi-style" cuisine, which goes far beyond traditional Kyoto dishes. The entire experience was warm and enjoyable, and I ended up drinking too much Japanese sake. It was a great meal, and I look forward to my next visit in December. Less