ひがっさい
On a day off, I had a lunch date with my wife at an Italian restaurant located about a 3-4 minute walk south from Kokurio Station, along Komae Street. This popular restaurant requires reservations in advance, offering a variety of dishes that creatively incorporate Japanese ingredients based on authentic Italian flavors. It has been awarded as one of the top 100 Italian restaurants from '17 to '23.
One Friday, a typhoon hit the Kanto region, creating stormy conditions from the morning. I thought that a day like this might make it easier to secure a reservation at this coveted restaurant. To my surprise, I managed to book a table for 12:30 on the same day (*´艸`*).
We ordered the lunch set that includes a choice of pizza or pasta, salad, bread, and dessert. There are four types of pizzas and two types of pasta to choose from. Since you can also order half-and-half pizzas, my wife and I decided to try all the pizza varieties available.
We were quickly served bread and salad. The cheese and wheat bread had a crispy outer layer and a chewy, delicious inside. The anticipation for the pizzas, soon to arrive, was at an all-time high (∩・∀・∩).
A few minutes later, the pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven were served. The staff informed us that the dough includes whole wheat, whey water, and onion extract. Although the dough wasn't thick, it had a dense texture and a crispy bite.
The first pizza was a half-and-half of Quattro Formaggi with corn. The Quattro Formaggi pizza was rich in cheese, especially the tangy Gorgonzola, and the addition of honey complemented it perfectly. The corn had fresh, crunchy kernels with prosciutto added, enhancing the flavors with mayonnaise and pepper.
The second pizza was a half-and-half of Margherita with dried whitebait from Yamagiri. The Margherita pizza had a perfect balance of tomato sauce, basil aroma, and mozzarella volume. The generous amount of dried whitebait from Wakayama, paired with anchovy paste, crispy leeks, and the saltiness of karasumi, gave a unique Japanese twist.
Filled to the brim with delicious food, we finished our meal with dessert: a milk pudding with basil and passion fruit sauces. The combination of basil and passion fruit aroma was refreshing, and the presentation was tastefully done.
Overall, we were very satisfied with the lunch, and the attentive service from the staff added to the pleasant experience. Rainy days like this one are best spent dining at popular restaurants like this one (∩・∀・∩). Thank you for the wonderful meal. We will definitely be back.