01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Rather than committing to one substantial dish, you can pick out a few things that catch your eye. Mirei’s à la carte menu suits that way of eating. One visitor said that some plates were just a bite or two each when shared between two people, making it easy to try a range of flavours as the meal unfolded. With seasonal dishes on the menu, deciding what to order next is part of the pleasure.
Mirei-style potato salad, one diner recalled, had a lively accent from pickled cucumber, while nama-fu with blue cheese made a memorable pairing. The house-made Kyoto-style fried tofu was served with a generous helping of freshly shaved bonito flakes. Alongside familiar dishes with a twist, there are combinations that let the ingredients take centre stage, such as duck and eggplant simmered after frying, and Goto conger eel with sesame sauce.
The vegetable kakiage fritter was said to feature myoga ginger, asparagus, Manganji pepper and young ginger, with notably generous pieces of vegetables. Other diners mentioned sashimi assortments, beef fillet cutlet and karasumi mochi. The à la carte format lets you shape the meal to suit your mood: order a series of small plates with drinks, or finish with rice cooked in a pot, which is listed as available from one go.
One solo diner described starting with a small appetiser before ordering from the menu at the counter. Watching the dishes come together in front of you is another part of the experience. Drinks include the Mirei Sour, wine and sake, making it a good fit for those who like to order gradually alongside their food. Dinner reservations are available.
