Touzan

There are many things I love about the Hyatt Regency Kyoto (where my Zenbu Cuisine & Culture Groups stay) but the food and beverage facilities here are truly top notch. Which is a rare thing to say about a hotel. From breakfast through to late night - the team are all over it! 

I adore the Touzan bar - the do fantabulous martinis, the staff know my name and what  I like to drink  (is that a bad thing??) it has a wonderfully cosy, nook like ambiance AND it is right next door to the Touzan restaurant.  

On our final evening in late April the kitchen team put together such a nourishing and delicious meal for us. After a couple of weeks eating everything from the wildly exotic to the simply rich and decadent - we really just wanted something soulful. And that is exactly what we got. 

We started with one of my favourite local dishes - gomadoufu (sesame tofu)  - a creamy, sesame morsel topped with fresh wasabi and good soy. 

Then came these SENSATIONAL gooey eggs marinated in soy then chargrilled. I want this NOW. 

A superb tastette of nigiri zushi (there's a sushi counter inside the restaurant too)

Then a simple nabe (hotpot) of udon noodles topped with grilled local chicken, tempura veg, cabbage, konnyaku and spring onions. Just so nourishing. 

Oh yeah. Just feeling a little bit homesick now. Missing Kyoto town. 

Bar Satanaka. Sfera Building. Kyoto

It's Friday night. This busy week has flown by. I need a drink. 

But where to go in Sydney town?

If I was in Kyoto I know exactly where I'd be... 

Bar Satanaka is tucked away at the back of a  green-lit, metal-laced building in the northern section of Gion. By day, it is easy to walk by - even though its appearance is strikingly different to the neighbouring machiya.   But by night... well you couldn't miss it could you??

The  Sfera building also houses one of my favourite design stores and is in close proximity to the antiques district around Shinmonzen dori. I'd never have discovered the bar if it wasn't for my window shopping habit. 

When you reach the correct floor you need to feel your way down a dark hallway

The bar is intimate and quiet until around 10pm when it gets its buzz on. 

Bar Satanaka is perfect for catching up with friends over a really good cocktail or glass of wine (.No sake!! ouch. ) as you can actually hear each other talk - especially in one small pocket of the bar (almost a private room - so snaffle it up early!). The rest of the bar is simply a long , sleek counter with comfy high-chairs to perch upon and a friendly, professional barkeep to gaze at.

We didn't have much time to catch up with friends during our trip in May but we did squeeze in a couple of bevvies with the lovely and talented David B and the spectacular Ms Lizzie! All too brief. Thanks for a great night guys. xx

Find Bar Satanaka on the west side of Nawate Dori (street) just south of Shinmonzen and north of Shinbashi streets. 3rd Floor. Enter on the ground floor level - even though it seem like there is no one there.... and take two sharp right turns to find the tiny lift.

Open 7pm - 4am

*it's not your eyes.. some of the images appear a little blllurry due to mild intoxication of the photographer. I swear they were in focus at the time...