Looking for recommendations/advice, please! What are some good restaurants for dinner in Kyoto and Osaka? We prefer mid-range to fine dining. Also, is public transit the best way to get around in Kyoto and Osaka? Are taxis a better alternative? Thank you for your help!

Wish I remembered the name of the okonomiyaki place that the Westin Osaka concierge sent me to.
Taxis are much more convenient, of course, because they go door to door, but costs more than transit. This is obvious.
Still, taxis are a reasonable alternative to transit in Kyoto. Same for the Osaka, at least when the Westin shuttle to Osaka station was not running.

In Kyoto we enjoyed Renkonya for Obanzai and Sumibi Butakushiyaki Fumido (izakaya). And in Osaka we liked Yaekatsu for kushikatsu. All of these had english menus.