cenci

Ken Sakamoto exults in expressing Italian cuisine through the bounty of Japanese produce. Putting kombu kelp, bonito stock and fermented ingredients like malted rice miso and sake lees to effective use is how he preaches the gospel of Japanese cuisine. Cured hams and cheeses arrive from producers who share the chef’s passion. Nonstandard vegetables are used in fermented form; pruned citrus fruits garnish lend a sour piquancy as garnish. Food that brings people together in every sense.

Innovative Italian with a Kyoto Twist

• Cenci uniquely blends traditional Italian cuisine with local Kyoto ingredients, creating dishes that reflect both cultures.

Clandestine Entrance

• The restaurant features a hidden entrance through a red-brick tunnel, constructed using earth displaced during its building, adding an element of intrigue.

Elevated Kitchen Experience

• Guests can watch the chef and his team at work from an elevated kitchen, enhancing the dining experience with a live cooking show.

Signature Ingredients

• Kyoto vegetables: Sourced from local farmers, these seasonal vegetables are integral to the dishes, reflecting the restaurant's commitment to local produce and the unique flavors of Kyoto.
• Matsutake mushrooms: A prized ingredient in Japanese cuisine, these mushrooms are featured in dishes like spaghetti, showcasing their earthy flavor and rarity.
• Kyoto pork: Known for its rich flavor and tenderness, this pork is paired with ingredients like porcini mushrooms and Tasmanian grain mustard, highlighting the restaurant's innovative approach to Italian cuisine.
• Hokkaido oysters: Used in a risotto dish, these oysters are celebrated for their briny sweetness and are a testament to the restaurant's focus on high-quality seafood.
• Chestnuts: Featured in desserts, chestnuts add a unique sweetness and texture, emphasizing the seasonal aspect of the menu and the chef's creativity in dessert preparation.

Tasting Menus

• Lunch Course (6 dishes & 2 desserts): ¥12,100 (tax and service included)
• Lunch Course (8 dishes & 3 desserts, same as dinner): ¥21,780 (tax and service included)
• Dinner Course (8 dishes & 3 desserts): ¥21,780 (tax and service included)