There's a little restaurant somewhat hidden in a residential area at the base of Mt. Rokko in Kobe. It has become quite near and dear to the hearts of both myself and the lovely Megumi. As you enter, the lights are dimmed low, and classic rock and oldies pump through a tiny jukebox, surrounded by large posters of Easy Rider. Welcome to VegiSmile!
 | Inside, two tables that hold four each resemble park picnic tables, but feel just a little more comfortable. The counter holds six or seven and surrounds the kitchen area, much like the sushi counters that have settled in our collective gaijin consciousness. A magazine rack supplies us with popular cookbooks like The Artful Vegan and The Garden of Vegan and... |
That's right, RatBoys and RatGirls. This place is 100% Vegan! I can eat EVERYTHING on the menu, and such a thing is not easily said!
The owner-slash-cook-slash-only employee, Yamamoto Takeshi (right), has been a vegan for twelve years due to food allergies. Softspoken, this guy emanates cool.
| He's traveled North America and Oceania. He's a snowboarding instructor. He rides a chopper. And he can kick your ass! Ten years of kickboxing, as well as several other fighting styles. (And who says vegans don't have muscle?) |  |
The food...absolutely DELICIOUS! I love his soups! Mr. Yamamoto hits you with some distinctive tastes. His salads are sweet and often are sides to the burgers he serves.
My wife, Megumi, and other doubting carnivores were blown away by the "meat" dishes he serves. His chicken dishes are to die for!
He serves soba-pasta dishes, pizza, burgers, hamburg (burgers without the bread, people), dorias and pitas. Want some Mexican? He's got some!
Need to wash it all down? Besides juices and teas, Mr. Yamamoto serves beers, cocktails and wine by the glass or bottle.
He also has some dinner sets, including one that's Microbiotic. He serves special soups and deserts that rotate every two or three days.
 | Dessert anyone? His ice cream is sweet and he has some nice flavors. I love his cakes! They're nice and thick and moist! Here you can see Meg and I enjoying our fill. |
| I'm telling you this now. Each plate of food will fill you up very quickly, however, the food being so good and all, you will want more. You will want more and more tasty morsels! |  |
| This place is really laid-back. Check out the menu, write down your order on the supplied pen and paper and hand it down to Mr. Yamamoto. Grab your silverware and your water and chat. When the food's ready, it'll be handed to you over the counter. Proceed to chow down! |  |
 | Family comes to mind when I think of VegiSmile. It's like you're relaxing with close family you haven't seen in a while, passing the food around the table. Chatting, sharing a couple plates! Ahh...Mangiare! |
However, a word to the wise. This is a small place, and Mr. Yamamoto is the only employee, so please, exercise a little courtesy. Be a little patient (you don't have to wait too long), especially if he has other patrons, or you've come with a bunch of others.
If you want to set up a little party for yourselves, call or e-mail him in advance, so he has ample time to prepare. He's a nice guy, so be nice in return! (^-^)/
Here's some Sad News
As of December, VegiSmile will be closing. Mr. Yamamoto will be working for an Organic Cafe in neighboring Okamoto. He's happy because he will have an actual steady pay check and decent salary embedded in those pay checks. But I cry. As a consolation, despite the cafe not being vegan, he's willing to cook vegan! Go Vegan!
What time: 6:15pm - 12 midnight.
How much: Each menu item is 500 yen or 1000 yen (with the occasional 1500 yen plate).
Where is it: It's closest to the Rokko stop on the Hankyu line in Kobe, but you can easily get there from JR Rokkomichi.
Phone: 090 - 9289 - 5403
E-mail: try vegi-smile-cooking@ezweb.ne.jp (if that doesn't work, please leave me a comment)
If you're interested in learning the fine art of vegan cooking, you can attend one of Yamamotosan's classes. He runs one class on the last Monday of every month. And in each class, he teaches you a pre-planned dinner from drinks, to dinner, to desert. It's 3500 yen (~$33 US) per class, but don't expect to see any of this food on his menu. He won't give up his secrets no matter how much you beg.
Check out the crude map that, um, my WIFE drew. Yeah...my wife...
Wanna see what other's have said about VegiSmile? Check this out!
Laterz,
Mike, the very full and satisfied RocketRat!
hi, did the restaurant end up closing? i was looking forward to going there this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. Quite a while ago, I'm afraid. I haven't tried the new place (don't even remember the name of it) despite now living much, much closer to the area.
ReplyDeleteThe email doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteI assume it doesn't anymore. I haven't even tried since the place shut down.
ReplyDelete