Enjoy a leisurely meal while gazing out over the Seto Inland Sea and reflecting on the richness of nature and the lives of the people who live here.
A restaurant where you can spend time like that has opened in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
pile: Homemade Noodles Lasagna and Natural Wine (pile).
Everything on the food and drink menu has come about through encounters between people.
We spoke with the owners about their recommended dishes, as well as their thoughts and attention to detail in opening pile.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in June 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About pile
pile is a restaurant where you can enjoy lasagna made with homemade noodles and natural wine as its main offerings.
It opened inside DENIM HOSTEL float in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
It was originally run as a cafe, but has now started afresh as a restaurant.
You can spend a leisurely time while gazing out over the Seto Inland Sea.
The restaurant is open to everyone, not just guests staying at float.
Introducing the carefully crafted menu, featuring ingredients from producers you can put a face to
pile’s menu features ingredients produced by people in Okayama Prefecture who are passionate about what they do.
Here’s a look at the carefully crafted menu, where you can also enjoy the stories behind how the food came to be.
Main dish: Lasagna
There are two lasagna options for the main dish.
One is the beef lasagna (1,320 yen, tax included).
It is made with “Toyofuku beef” from Nagi Town, Katsuta District.
“Nagi Beef” is well known as a specialty of Okayama Prefecture, but producer Toyofuku also raises Toyofuku beef on the same property as Nagi Beef.
While the feed and rearing methods for Nagi Beef are prescribed, Toyofuku beef is raised using its own methods, such as feeding it fermented local straw and giving it a moderate amount of exercise.
The lasagna at pile is generously filled with aged Toyofuku beef, letting you fully savor the flavor of the lean meat.
More about their carefully selected wheat in the interview later.
The other option is shrimp lasagna (1,320 yen, tax included).
It is made with gara shrimp caught in the Seto Inland Sea.
In Okayama Prefecture, gara shrimp have long been used in local dishes such as “bara-zushi” (scattered sushi).
A familiar ingredient to local residents, gara shrimp are sourced from Uoharu in Chayamachi, Kurashiki City.
Enjoying the aroma and flavor of gara shrimp at pile, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, is a special experience.
We recommend ordering the half-and-half to enjoy both flavors (1,540 yen, tax included).
I ordered the half-and-half, and the goodness of all the ingredients was packed into it, making me feel truly indulged.
It’s the perfect dish to enjoy at pile, situated between the mountains and the sea.
Drinks, including natural wine
One thing we hope you’ll enjoy with your lasagna is natural wine (from 800 yen, tax included).
The staff select wines recommended at the time, focusing on wines from Italy that pair well with lasagna.
Being able to enjoy Kurashiki wine is another special feature of pile.
GRAPE SHIP is a wine made in Funao, Kurashiki City.
Its representative, Matsui Kazunori, is from Kurashiki City and used to be a chef.
While studying in France during his time as a chef, he was impressed by natural wine, and after returning to Japan, he set his sights on becoming a winemaker in his hometown.
At pile, you can enjoy not only Italian wines but also wines made with passion in Kurashiki.
“We hope people will enjoy wine from lunchtime and spend a leisurely time at pile,” a staff member said.
When you visit, why not ask the staff for a wine recommendation?
Non-alcoholic drinks include lemonade made with lemons from Iwagi Island and homemade craft cola.
Every drink is carefully made, one by one.
Side dishes and desserts that let the ingredients shine
The side dishes and desserts are also carefully crafted, allowing you to savor the flavor of the ingredients just as they are.
Be sure to enjoy them with your lasagna or wine.
Every item on the menu is made with ingredients whose origins and producers are known.
“We made a point of ensuring you can see the faces of the producers,” says Sakai Kaede, who works in the food and beverage division of ITONAMI Co., Ltd.
We asked Sakai about the story behind pile’s opening and the care put into each menu item.
Homemade Lasagna and Natural Wine “pile” Information
| Name | Homemade Lasagna and Natural Wine “pile” |
|---|---|
| Address | 1421-26 Kojima Karakoto-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-477-7620 |
| Parking | Available Free municipal parking for about 40 cars is available at the bottom of the hill |
| Hours | 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. (last order at 8:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Wednesday and Thursday DENIM HOSTEL float is open every day |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Via Instagram DM or phone |
| Seating | Tables: 12 |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking (outdoor smoking area available) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | pile | Pile |
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