Shinano, Nagano, Japan｜黒姫食堂

This is a gem of a local cafe hidden away on the road between Reisenji Lake in Iizuna and Kurohime. We started visiting shortly after they opened and haven't been disappointed yet in a meal choice that we've made here. They regularly update their menu with seasonal offerings. They offer lunch and desserts. Cash only. There's limited on-site parking. They have cats, so if that's an issue, keep this in mind.

The restaurant is run by a mother and son, a chef and his daughter. I think this restaurant is most enjoyable if you have the time to enjoy the view from the window while waiting for your food to come out. The main dishes are pasta, sandwiches, and Japanese plates, and I have a hard time deciding which one to go for. This time I chose the Japanese plate, and it felt very luxurious to be able to eat a variety of things little by little. There were also home-grown vegetables and fruits, all of which were delicious. The scenery changes with the seasons, so it was a restaurant that made me want to go again.

This is a shop where you can have a morning meal. Apparently it opens at 8:30 from May to November. I visited during brunch time so it felt like a light meal. I chose a sandwich. The yogurt that came with it and the blueberries in the dessert blueberry sandwich are local and in season. It was sweet and sour and delicious. The window in front of me looked like a picture frame and the greenery outside looked really beautiful. It seems that you can see beautiful scenery in every season. I was healed. Next time I would like to try the pasta and lunch set.