VILLA COMMUNICO

I had dinner at the luxury auberge VILLA COMMUNICO in Nara. The location is at the foot (or maybe halfway up?) Mt. Wakakusa; it’s doable on foot, but a car is recommended. From the restaurant, Mt. Wakakusa is directly across the road, with deer here and there—an unmistakably Nara-like view.The Hotel as a whole is a renovated traditional Japanese house, creating a stylish space that still feels steeped in history. With only five rooms in total, it has a wonderfully secluded, hideaway atmosphere.Dinner starts all at once at 18:30. Guests gather in the second-floor lounge at 18:00 and relax with pre-meal tea while enjoying views of Mt. Wakakusa.When it’s time, you move down to the first floor. On entering, there’s an iconic fireplace and counter on the left. The first course is eaten standing while listening to the chef’s explanation—an unexpectedly unique experience.Cucumber, elderflower / Yamato jidori chicken, nasturtiumFreshly made mozzarella, caviarBonito, molokhia (jute mallow), okraOyster, pine nuts, chivesJapanese duck (Yamato-gamo), pumpkin, truffleFlounder, Manganji chili pepper, red-legged shrimpSakaeya aged sirloin of culled Japanese Black wagyuFig, blueberry, juniper berryBoth the presentation and flavors were excellent. In particular, the dish combining bonito with molokhia and okra was outstanding.Courses are basically served simultaneously for everyone and paced to match slower diners overall, so dinner progresses at a leisurely speed. If you eat quickly, be aware there may be some downtime between courses.

Before dinner, the second-floor gallery overlooking Mt. Wakakusa becomes a waiting bar, where you can relax while watching the deer heading home.Once guided to the first-floor restaurant, you are welcomed by the hearth and served—standing—local cucumber gazpacho, Yamato Nikudori chicken (a firm-textured gamefowl-type breed?) pinchos, and freshly made mozzarella kneaded right in front of you. After being gently drawn in at an unhurried pace, you are shown to your table. The course goes without saying: each dish showcases carefully selected ingredients with meticulous technique, paired with clear and thoughtful explanations. And finally, even the coffee comes as a surprise.The staff are friendly as well, with a comfortable sense of distance.