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riyoute is the most expensive, luxurious restaurant in Japan. These restaurants are also very exclusive. They usually refuse service to customers without introduction beforehand. When I first went through the gate into a riyoute, I heard peaceful singing of birds and the soft sound of a stream. I felt I was in a special space far removed from my common life. I believe
riyoute restaurants have the most beautiful Japanese cuisine, the most sophisticated service, and the most stunning surroundings.
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riyoute serves splendid Japanese food. There are eighteen dishes for each person, each with a small bite of food. These dishes are served over two hours or more. Once in the spring, when I visited a
riyoute, I saw colorful food which tasted fresh, delightful, and pleasant, just as spring. I caught the soft and pleasant smell of the food such as sprouts and rape blossoms. For the season, the chef had prepared dishes in the color of spring. There were pink foods for the cherry blossom and light green food for the new bamboo. The experienced chef had collected organic vegetables from special farmers the same morning. The fish came from one particular fishing port. A good Japanese food must have a fresh aromas and seasonal colors and tastes. The chef chose the ingredients for the food carefully since the dishes are pieces of art. I enjoyed the beautiful spring cuisine.
The service also made a deep impression on me. The waitresses were all women wearing beautiful
kimonos (Japanese traditional clothes), for the season. Kimonos have the season colors and tell ancient. Further, the waitresses were very gentle, kind, and quiet. When they entered our private room in the restaurant, they softly opened the sliding door and walked on their knees, not their feet, carrying the food.
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riyoute is always in a wonderful Japanese style building. There is a black tile roof, a white wall, green trees, a blue waterfall and pool, and red and yellow flowers. When I enter, I remove my shoes because no one should walk on the beautiful
tatami (woven straw mat) floors. When I touch the
tatami, I feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The restaurant is divided up into many private rooms, each decorated with a single, but perfect,
ikebana (flower arrangement) with flowers from the season. For example, in fall chrysanthemums are very popular.
Ikebana has to be change everyday depending on the customers. Also, people are seated on the floor in front of low wooden tables. To add to the single beauty, each plate is almost like a beautiful painting for the season. Usually, riyoute use plates made by famous ceramic potters.
A meal at a
riyoute restaurant is a very special experience shared by very few Japanese people. People will remember for years the beautiful food, exclusive service, and the exquisite beauty of the restaurant.
Mari10/03/2009
