Tabelog ratingBois flotte, French for 'driftwood', is a small wood-lined room beside a park in the hills above Motomachi. A chef and a single server run the place, and each plate of the multi-course menus comes with its own house-made sauces, flavoured butters such as chestnut or orange, and neat, pretty plating. The prices sit well below what Kobe's French restaurants usually charge.
Reviewers almost always mention the sauces, the plating and the value. The opening small plates (tsukidashi) draw the most praise: carrot mousse with consommé jelly, a warm quiche, and ham with seasonal fruit. Crisp-skinned fish such as sawara (Spanish mackerel), duck breast with honey and black pepper, and the closing canelé and mini opera cake are also singled out. Birthday message plates and attentive service come up often.
There are criticisms. In 2026 two diners said staff chatted loudly, stared and mimicked them, which spoiled their anniversary dinners. Some reviewers found dishes over-salted, the duck or wagyu tough, the portions small for big eaters, or the desserts dull. Several noted rising prices, and some said their solo bookings were refused.
Reviewers between 2024 and 2026 paid around ¥2,750 for the lunch course with a choice of main, ¥3,850 for the double-main Chef's Choice, ¥4,400 for the Anniversary course and ¥5,500 for the course with upgraded meat. Fish costs about ¥550 extra as a main and duck about ¥770. At dinner, course A was about ¥6,050 plus a compulsory drink, and the upgraded course with foie gras and lobster about ¥14,300. Expect around ¥5,000 at lunch and ¥10,000–15,000 at dinner with drinks.
Most reviewers call it strong value for the craft, especially at lunch, though a couple of 2026 diners felt the upgraded courses no longer justify the extra.
- Getting there: 9 minutes on foot from Kencho-mae Station (Seishin-Yamate Line), East Exit 1, or 11 minutes from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station, East Exit. The walk is uphill and the entrance is easy to miss.
- Payment: lunch is cash only. Dinner can be paid in cash or by credit card. Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Booking: essential. With 11 seats it is often full, walk-ins are usually turned away and solo bookings may be refused. Call 078-891-8338. Cancel course bookings at least 3 days ahead; same-day cancellations are charged 100%.
- Seating: 11 table seats, no private rooms; the whole restaurant can be booked for up to 20 people.
- Children: no children's menu. Reviewers say pushchairs are allowed; confirm when booking.
- Allergies: accommodated, according to reviewers.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none; coin parking nearby.
