While gazing at the Seto Inland Sea, reflect on the richness of nature and human activities, and enjoy a leisurely meal.
A restaurant where you can spend such time has opened in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
Homemade lasagna and natural wine "pile" (Pile).
The meals and drinks offered are all born from encounters between people.
We interviewed about the recommended menu and the thoughts and commitments leading up to the opening of pile.
What is pile
Pile is a restaurant where you can enjoy lasagna made with homemade noodles and natural wine.
It has opened inside DENIM HOSTEL float (hereafter, float) in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
Originally, it operated as a café, but it has started anew as a restaurant.
You can spend a leisurely time while gazing at the Seto Inland Sea.
It is a restaurant that anyone can enjoy, not just those staying at float.
Introducing the menu with a focus on “seeing the faces of producers”
The menu at pile uses ingredients handled by producers in Okayama Prefecture who are active with a purpose.
This is an introduction to the carefully selected menu that allows you to enjoy the story behind how the meals are created.
Main menu: Lasagna
The main menu lasagna comes in two varieties.
One is the beef lasagna (tax included 1,320 yen).
The beef used is "Toyofuku Beef" from Nagi-cho, Katsuta-gun.
“Nagi Beef” is famous as a specialty of Okayama Prefecture, but the producer, Toyofuku, raises Toyofuku Beef on the same premises as Nagi Beef.
While Nagi Beef has specific feed and breeding methods, Toyofuku Beef is raised using unique methods, such as feeding it fermented local straw and allowing it to exercise moderately.
The lasagna at pile is filled with aged Toyofuku Beef, allowing you to fully savor the umami of the red meat.
The commitment to wheat will be discussed in the later interview.
The other is the shrimp lasagna (tax included 1,320 yen).
It uses garaebi caught in the Seto Inland Sea.
Garaebi has been used in local dishes such as "bara-zushi" in Okayama Prefecture.
Familiar to local residents, the garaebi is sourced from Uoharu in Chayamachi, Kurashiki City.
Enjoying the aroma and flavor of garaebi at pile, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, is exceptional.
The recommendation is to enjoy both flavors with the half & half option (tax included 1,540 yen).
I ordered the half & half, and I felt luxurious as all the goodness of the ingredients was packed in.
This is the perfect dish to enjoy at pile, located between the mountains and the sea.
Drinks including natural wine
What I want you to enjoy with the lasagna is natural wine (tax included 800 yen and up).
The staff prepares recommended wines, mainly focusing on Italian wines that pair well with lasagna.
Enjoying wine from Kurashiki is something unique to pile.
GRAPE SHIP is a wine made in Funao-cho, Kurashiki City.
The representative, Matsui Kazunori, is from Kurashiki City and was previously a chef.
He was impressed by natural wine while studying abroad in France during his chef days and aimed to become a winemaker in his hometown after returning to Japan.
At pile, you can also taste wines made with passion in Kurashiki, in addition to Italian wines.
The staff mentioned, "I hope you can spend a relaxing time at pile while enjoying wine from lunchtime."
When you visit, be sure to ask the staff for their recommended wines.
For non-alcoholic drinks, there are options like lemonade from Iwaki Island and homemade craft cola.
Each drink is carefully crafted.
Side dishes and desserts that highlight the flavors of the ingredients
The side dishes and desserts are carefully crafted to allow you to fully enjoy the flavors of the ingredients.
Be sure to enjoy them with the lasagna and wine.
The menu is composed of ingredients that make it clear where and who made them.
“We are particular about being able to see the faces of the producers,” says Sakai Kaede, who works in the food division of ITONAMI Co., Ltd.
I asked Sakai about the background of the opening of pile and the particularities behind each menu item.
Homemade Lasagna and Natural Wine 'pile' Data
| 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 at the bottom of the hill |
| Business Hours | 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Wednesday, Thursday DENIM HOSTEL float has no regular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation Availability | Yes Via Instagram DM or phone |
| Seating | Table seats: 12 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking (smoking area available outdoors) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | pile｜パイル |
