VILLA COMMUNICO

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.

I was looking forward to staying at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.When I arrived, I found that although the old building had been renovated, the interior felt like a completely different world!And to my surprise, there was Michelin’s Bibendum.I hadn’t realized it was a Michelin-starred restaurant and even asked if it was okay to come in travel clothes (lol).The Room also impressed me—the ceiling slopes down at an angle, and the design is not only beautiful but incredibly detailed.Dining while watching the wood fire, and the richness of the drink pairing as well.I was moved from start to finish.Thank you very much.