ファイブペンギンズ
While looking for a dinner restaurant in Osaka and browsing through the Michelin Guide, I came across a place called "Rachaelva" with a high score of 15 points, described as a new sensation Italian restaurant. In early August, amidst the pandemic, we sat at the counter with one other couple and two more guests at a table, starting our dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. Chef Masaaki Fujita had previously run a trattoria elsewhere before opening this restaurant in 2015. The restaurant has a nice and elegant ambiance, with greenery visible through the glass walls, making it a pleasant urban environment. It is indeed a sophisticated and innovative Italian restaurant. The restaurant is run by Chef Fujita and Ayaka Omoto, who also serves as the sommelier. Her warm service contributes to the cozy atmosphere of the place. We opted for the 6-course menu priced at 10,500 yen. The menu featured summer ingredients such as corn, eggplant, and melon. The amuse-bouche consisted of three cute and beautifully presented dishes, all centered around ayu (sweetfish) and corn. The appetizer was bonito and water eggplant, with a tartare mix of avocado, nagaimo, myoga, apple, and shallots stuffed inside the water eggplant. The large tempura of "mangetout" pepper was served with sazae (horned turban) and a sauce made with shallots. The combination of ingredients was delightful. The highlight of the meal was the homemade eel tagliolini pasta. The eel was cut into small crispy pieces, and the simple yet slightly spicy sauce made with karasumi, sansho pepper, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes complemented the eel perfectly. The pasta was so delicious that words cannot describe it! The main course was roasted Japanese beef with a freshly baked quiche as a side dish, which was outstanding. For dessert, we had melon, consisting of melon sorbet, white wine jelly, and yogurt mousse, which was refreshing and served as a perfect conclusion to the meal. The portion sizes were just right, and we left fully satisfied. It was a straightforward and delicious dining experience, truly an exceptional Italian restaurant.