It is on Rue Palaprat, in the heart of Toulouse, that Kiyoshi has opened its doors! The new address offers a culinary journey with recipes directly inspired by Japan.
Flavors from elsewhere, available in two experiences: a street-food menu at lunchtime, and a gourmet menu in the evening. The cuisine is homemade, with fresh ingredients, and driven by the passion of the chef Olivier Gulizzi.
A chef passionate about Japan
Japanese influences are felt as soon as you enter the restaurant: intimate atmosphere with around dozen seats, typical tableware, posters with cherry blossoms, maneki-neko… There's no doubt about it, the Land of the Rising Sun is in the spotlight here!
In the kitchen, chef Olivier Gulizzi is not new to cooking. “I’ve been cooking for 25 years, I started cooking in London where it’s a real melting pot”. There he discovered Japanese cuisine in particular, for which he developed a passion. “It’s very different from home in terms of flavour, but even beyond that it’s a fascinating country”. A discovery that led him, years later, to open his own address Kiyoshi in the heart of Toulouse. “At first, I followed Japanese recipes, now it’s become instinctive cooking”. It is directly on the plate that we find the chef's know-how.
Japanese-inspired cuisine based on local products
Although the dishes take us to the other side of the world, the products Theycome from short circuits. “Some very specific products come from Japan, like soy sauce or rice vinegar, but I use as many French or even local products as possible for fresh products.” The seaweed is grown in Brittany, the meat and eggs are produced in the southwest… Quality is paramount for the chef!
Products that can be found on the menu at lunchtime: Kiyoshi offers a traditional Japanese menucalled Teishoku. Considered street food, it is made up of different small dishes served on a tray: miso soup, vegetable tsukemono, soba salad, pork tenderloin, tamagoyaki accompanied by rice and crunchy vegetables… Everything is homemade and made directly before the eyes of the customers.Count 18 euros for a starter, main course, side dishes and dessert.
The chef uses equipment and techniques from Japan “For example, for the omelette, I cook it in a traditional square pan to obtain a sort of mille-feuille “.
A tasting menu in 8 to 10 courses in the evening
For dinner, change of atmosphere: the chef prepares 8 to 10 refined dishes, made according to his inspirations. “I take an afternoon to prepare the evening dishes”. Inspired by izakayas, Japanese “tapas” restaurants, the dishes are to be enjoyed in complete privacy. Indeed, the number of places is limited to 5. The opportunity to put high-end products like yuzu or even finger lime. “It’s a friendly moment, where we can discuss gastronomy. I adapt to the pace of the people who come but also to their tastes. I often challenge myself to make people like foods that some people don’t like at first!” The Omakase formula is €38.
Kiyoshi offers a unique culinary experience that combines the conviviality of Japanese street food at lunchtime with the sophistication of gastronomy in the evening.