Tabelog ratingrestaurant ecoutieres is run by chef Norio Kawamoto and his wife Kaoru in a house he rebuilt himself, in a quiet residential part of Kitayasue near Kanazawa Station. Only two parties sit at each service around an eight-seat counter, and everyone eats the same 15–20 course tasting menu built on Hokuriku produce from Ishikawa and Toyama, cooked over separate wood-fire and charcoal hearths. The paper menu credits each farm, fishing port and the ceramicist behind every plate. Game is a speciality: bear, badger, venison and suckling kid goat appear in season.
Reviewers almost unanimously mention the warmth of the hosts; Madame Kaoru often waits outside to greet arriving guests. The signature carrot flan topped with sea urchin and consommé jelly is the dish most often singled out, followed by wood-fired guinea fowl, bear with morels, rock oysters, winter crab and house-made bread kept warm on hot stones. The drink pairings are praised too, and a non-alcoholic or soda pairing is offered.
The main complaint is volume: several diners could not finish, and one took the petits fours home. A minority found the combinations hard to follow or the menu lacking a clear thread, one found the meat dishes familiar, and one thought the self-built room slightly cluttered.
Typical spend is ¥30,000–40,000 at lunch or dinner. Between 2024 and 2026 reviewers paid around ¥24,200 for the lunch Gastronomique course plus service charge, and around ¥27,500 for a 2026 lunch course with ¥13,000 for the alcohol pairing; one diner paid about ¥48,000 including pairing. A Noto beef supplement and the winter crab menu cost extra. Given the number of courses, the ingredients and the near-private setting, reviewers consistently call it good value, some even cheap.
- Getting there: 7 minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station, West Exit, in a residential area.
- Booking: reservation only, no walk-ins. Book by the day before via Tabelog, by phone or through your hotel; the Noto Gift course needs two days' notice. Everyone in a party orders the same course.
- Timing: all guests start together. Arrivals more than 30 minutes late are cancelled automatically.
- Children: elementary-school age and older only, and only if they can eat the full adult course.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners and UnionPay accepted; electronic money and QR payments are not. 10% service charge.
- Seating: 8 counter seats, no private rooms; private hire for up to 20. Wheelchair accessible.
- Dress code: please avoid strong perfume.
- Smoking: non-smoking; smoking area at the entrance.
- Parking: one space; otherwise nearby coin parking.
- Language: English menu available.
- Tip: come very hungry.
