So hip it hurts (hotel dining)

The concept of boutique hotels, believe it or not, is still relatively new to Kyoto. Often called "designer hotels" they are slowly springing up in the city. The latest is Ante Room, just opened in April of this year. Like many of the hottest art galleries in the city -- Kodama gallery, Koyama Tomio, Taka Ishii -- it's located in the south of Kyoto, near Kyoto station. Once you walk in, you're confronted by a work by Nawa Kohei. This place means business. Complete with lounge with DJ booth, art gallery and restaurant, this place is for hipsters who need a place to crash. Off season prices start at a very reasonable 4,000 yen for a single room. If there's two of you, be sure to ask for the 2nd floor rooms with terrace tables. The restaurant serves very very reasonable food, and good too. The house wine, Washington Hills was excellent.

Beer Garden!

One of the rites of summer in Kyoto is the beer garden. Held at rooftops around the city, they are not just another excuse to drink (although one can never have enough), but sitting high up looking down at the city, they are a way to escape the brutal summer heat and humidity. But beer gardens can be over priced with awful food. One of the better choices is KIEV, a Russian restaurant right across from Minami-za theatre (Kawabata/Shijo), 6th floor. For 3,500 yen you get 2 hours of open bar service and a selection of food to keep you going (peroshiki, cabbage rolls, sausage and fries, etc...). Escape the Kyoto heat to Russia!