parisjunko
Sicilian cuisine specialty restaurant "Cantina Siciliana". A rare Sicilian restaurant in Tokyo. Opened in 2013, it is located in a 4-story pink stone building in Ginza 6-chome. There are also branches behind the Kabuki-za in 4-chome and in Hakata. Cantina means "wine cellar" in Italian. The restaurant is located near Taimyo Elementary School, on a side street off the Oba Canal, with the Sicilian flag "Trinacria" flying outside. The restaurant features hand-painted signs by pottery craftsmen and tiles on the floor and tableware sourced from various parts of Sicily, creating an authentic Sicilian atmosphere. The owner was inspired by movies like "The Sicilian" and "The Godfather" during his travels in Sicily. Today in Ginza, it felt like being in an environment reminiscent of a movie set with the last person left in the world.
For lunch, they offer the V Lunch set, where you can choose either pasta or a main dish from a selection of seven items. The set includes a platter of three appetizers, focaccia, and coffee. Today's choice was the "Spaghetti with a variety of fish ragout and bamboo shoot basil pesto." I opted for the large portion for an additional 100 yen. While waiting, I was shown their wine list, which only features wines from Sicily. It was enjoyable and educational to see so many unfamiliar options.
The appetizer platter included "Eggplant Caponata," which was delicious with the tomato flavor infused into the eggplant. The "Orange Salad" was lightly marinated, striking a good balance between sweetness and acidity. The "Sardine Escabeche (Carpione)" had a well-balanced use of spices and salt, showcasing fresh and firm sardines.
The homemade focaccia was moist and flavorful, soaked in olive oil. They also served "Morika," a bread crumb mixture to sprinkle over pasta, a staple in Sicilian cuisine.
The main dish, "Spaghetti with a variety of fish ragout and bamboo shoot basil pesto," was excellent. The basil-infused bamboo shoot and slow-cooked fish ragout combined with pine nuts and cheese created a rich aroma. The garlic oil added a nice touch, and the pasta was perfectly al dente. The large portion was impressively generous.
I also enjoyed a delicious iced coffee. This authentic Sicilian Italian cuisine is prepared by a skilled chef. Opting for the A Lunch set would include a dessert, providing a more complete Sicilian cuisine experience. The sommelier/manager mentioned the challenges faced by individual restaurants during these times but expressed their determination to keep the business running. I appreciate their efforts and look forward to visiting again. Takeout options also looked tempting. Despite the current situation, I feel it's important to support the restaurant industry, and I intend to continue doing so in my own small way.