I visited the restaurant early in the new year, and there were many people around, so I couldn't take any photos. I went alone this time, so I will provide an update. On this day, the pasta was a penne tomato pasta, but since I'm not a big fan of penne, I requested to change it to long pasta and ordered a large portion. The menu item was "Chicken Mince and Eggplant Tomato Pasta." The salad was a delightful salad buffet with plenty of vegetables. I picked a variety of leafy vegetables like pleated lettuce, carrot rapé, anchovy broccoli, marinated purple cabbage, onion and radish salad, bean and couscous salad, corn, herb-infused potato salad, and Spanish-style omelette. I topped it off with my favorite carrot dressing. The soup was a unique tomato potage, served with French bread and iced tea. The tomato potage had a slightly sweet taste, like a meatless bolognese sauce, which was a bit surprising. Although I prefer it less sweet, it tasted good with the vegetables. The salad and soup combination worked well. The vegetables were delicious! I particularly enjoyed the crunchy broccoli, carrots, and beans. The herb-infused potato salad was also a favorite. As I eagerly devoured the meal, the pasta arrived. It had a lovely visual presentation with plenty of chicken mince and eggplant on top. The noodles were the perfect al dente, about 1.4mm thin. I continued to enjoy the meal, not minding my manners as I cleaned up the remaining sauce with bread. I finished off with iced tea. It was a satisfying and filling meal. I felt happy and content after eating so much. Although I wanted to go home and relax, it was still during work hours, so I felt energized to continue my afternoon tasks. I look forward to visiting this restaurant again for my next lunch routine.

Restaurant located inside the New National Theatre. I made a reservation after the ballet performance without a specific meeting time, but it's best to arrive shortly after the show ends. The doors that were closed during the performance open afterwards, making it a shortcut to get there. There was only one other group of two besides me, so it felt almost like a private dining experience. The bread served was average as it had cooled down. The main dish of sautéed pork belly was delicious, topped with green onions and a salty sauce, reminiscent of grilled meat. Dessert was peach soup, which seemed like a waste of the fruit. The set menu cost around 5400 yen, plus a glass of white wine for a total of about 6600 yen. If you're concerned about cost performance, it might be better to go to Opera City. The restaurant doesn't have a very formal atmosphere, so it's a casual dining option.

The Napoli-style spaghetti was the number one item on the menu, and it was definitely delicious. It had crispy cheese on top and a Bolognese-like sauce, which was unexpectedly tasty! The appetizers were buffet-style and also delicious. We decided to have a leisurely lunch at the restaurant closest to the theater where the musical was playing, and we were very satisfied with the meal. It was a good thing we made a reservation in advance, as the restaurant was fully booked on the day.

Today's opera was Aida. Since it's a long show, I wanted to avoid having a meal after it ends. So, I decided to make use of the intermission for the first time in a while. I invited my nephew and his girlfriend to the opera, so there were four of us. During the 25-minute break, we rushed back and forth between our seats and the restaurant, enjoying salad, pasta, wine, and even coffee. Today's pasta with bamboo shoots in arrabbiata sauce was delicious. By the way, it had been five years since I last saw Aida. This time, there were real horses on stage. The ballerinas, choir, and extras made many appearances, and the costumes and set were gorgeous. There were also many familiar songs, which was perfect for my nephew's first opera experience. Rumor has it that this production, even when sold out, is still in the red.

I made a reservation before the weekday matinee. When you make a reservation, you often get a calm window seat, making it easy to relax even if you're dining alone. It's reassuring to see other solo diners around. For Maestro's weekday lunch, I ordered the special Napolitan for 1300 yen. When you order the main dish, you also get a free salad, bread, and soup buffet. Today's soup was onion gratin soup, packed with the sweetness and richness of onions. The potato salad with rosemary in the salad was incredibly delicious. The baby leaf as well. There were three types of dressings to choose from, making it fun to mix and match. Today's bread was only baguette. Just as you finish your meal, a hot pasta dish is served. The Napolitan was filled with chunky ground meat and a rich tomato sauce. It was topped with crispy baked cheese. It was rich and delicious. And all of this for only 1300 yen! I would love to visit again when I come to the New National Theatre.

【May 21, 2022】Located inside the New National Theatre, this Italian restaurant caught my attention after learning that there is a restaurant on the side opposite to Opera City, but I had never bothered to visit due to the lack of clear signage. Today, with some free time on my hands and no particular destination in mind, I decided to give it a try. The restaurant seemed to specialize in providing a hassle-free dining experience for middle-aged and older customers with time to spare, rather than impressing food enthusiasts or offering modern hospitality and presentation. The food itself was decent. I ordered the "Weekend Lunch Menu" which included a plate of two appetizers and salad, soup, main dish, and dessert. I chose the Wakasagi and Asparagus Aglio Olio under the category of "Fresh Pasta Dishes". The appetizer plate included Frittata, two types of ham, Carrot Rape, Purple Cabbage Agrodolce, Green Salad, and Marinated Snow Peas. The variety of "two types" was a bit confusing, and the flavors of Frittata, Carrot Rape, and Marinated Snow Peas were okay but not outstanding. The soup was a tomato-based soup with potatoes, bacon, chickpeas, and aromatic vegetables, but the seasoning was a bit off. Overall, there was an excessive sourness in the dishes. The Wakasagi was a bit bitter, which might not appeal to children, and the asparagus was a bit lacking in quantity. The pasta itself was decent. The dessert was a Panna Cotta with a jam of strawberries and blueberries, which was a rare find these days. Personally, I appreciated that it held its shape well.

The restaurant located within the New National Theatre is a must-visit before watching a ballet performance. Reservations need to be made early as it tends to fill up quickly. The lunch menu includes salad, soup, dessert, and coffee or tea, with a choice of main course ranging from curry, Napolitan, pasta, fresh pasta, to meat dishes. I chose the fresh pasta with salmon and cabbage. The Minestrone soup was delicious with lots of ingredients. The creamy sauce with salmon and ikura on the fresh pasta was a perfect match. The panna cotta dessert was just right in terms of sweetness and creaminess. The portion sizes were generous. There is a note saying that dishes will be served until 40 minutes before the performance starts, so it's best to make a reservation around 11:30 am for a 1 pm show. It's a great restaurant to enhance your mood before the performance.

At the Opera Palace, drinks and light snacks during intermission have been revived on the outdoor terrace. I was so happy that I forgot to take a photo after enjoying some champagne. Since 2013, I have been going to almost every show with my mother, thinking it's a way to show my filial piety. I never thought she would keep going for so many years, but here we are, almost 10 years later. Today's performance of The Knight of the Rose is the third time with the same production. What I missed in the past two years was the lack of food and drinks during intermission inside the palace. I really enjoy having champagne during intermission, so I am quite happy about this. Although dining during intermission at the restaurant has been available for some time, it's still rushed to go there in a short amount of time. I hope the buffet in the salon will reopen soon. I hope the New National Theatre and the Maestro will continue to do their best.

- Pasta lunch (anchovy and cabbage) ...... 1100 yen I went to Maestro for the first time this year. I went with someone who happened to be working that day. Just to be safe, I made a reservation the day before. After having my temperature checked and sanitizing my hands at the entrance, we took our seats. Looking around, there was only one other group of two customers besides us. It felt a bit lonely, even though I thought there were quite a few people coming in despite the pandemic. When I went to the salad bar, I noticed there weren't as many options as I remembered, and the portions were smaller. It felt a bit lonely here too. The freshness of the vegetables was not bad, and there were three types of dressings. The potato gratin was warm, but it seemed like there was less cheese and tomato sauce than before. It might just be a matter of perception, but I felt unsatisfied. The pasta was not bad, but it didn't have any standout features. The service was also not bad, but I realized that a restaurant can feel lacking in liveliness when there are fewer people.

I went to have lunch. It comes with a salad bar and a drink bar. You can also get free refills of soup and bread. I ordered clam pasta and it was really delicious! Classical music was playing in the background, but at a very low volume. It created a wonderful atmosphere that made me feel a bit tense. The salad bar was different from others and very delicious. The mashed potatoes were cheesy and the dressings were all high quality and tasty. Maybe because of the pandemic, it was not crowded at all. They also had good COVID-19 prevention measures in place, so I recommend this place.

Today we had a meal at Hatsudai! Let's have a leisurely meal and talk about the new fiscal year! So we headed to the restaurant on the 3rd floor of the New National Theatre! We quietly walked through the closed theater and saw sign plates of opera and ballet artists at the entrance! We were guided to spacious tables and felt so comfortable that we felt like having a drink. But no, today is just a relaxing meal! We chose our main dish and headed to the buffet! Wearing vinyl gloves for infection prevention, we were told that the staff can serve the buffet menu if requested! Let's go! Combination salad! Baby leaf salad with watercress, carrot slaw, tomatoes, broccoli, and more! There are various dressings to choose from, such as French, Italian, and carrot, so you can choose your favorite taste or even have a double dressing! The quality of the fresh salad is high! Bean and bacon soup! The soup is full of ingredients that you can add yourself! The flavor of the consomme is good, making it a satisfying soup! Potato gratin! We were informed when the freshly baked gratin was ready! The creamy taste of the fluffy potatoes with crispy cheese is delicious! For the main course, we tried a pasta dish! Let's share a bite! Beef and porcini bolognese linguine! Plenty of meat sauce with the flavor of porcini! The fluffy texture of Pecorino Romano cheese, the slightly thick demi-glace sauce, and the chewy linguine create a harmonious unity of flavors! The coarsely ground beef is hearty, and although it's a bit pricey, the taste is satisfying! Maestro's special Neapolitan! Neapolitan with tomato sauce well mixed! The crispy cheese topping is a nice touch! The acidity and sweetness of the tomato, along with the refined taste of the beef, make for a delightful dish! The well-cooked vegetables and perfectly baked pasta complement each other nicely! The pasta is more filling than it looks, making it a satisfying lunch pasta! Lunch dessert! Cream cheese cake with berry sauce! The creamy cheesecake with fruit confiture is a delightful combination of berry sweetness and cream cheese acidity! The quality of the food is solid, and the spacious environment is an oasis for lunchtime! A simple table flower of carnations! We didn't order drinks this time, but a leisurely time at the drink bar sounds nice too! It's a hidden gem restaurant inside a theater, but we found a wonderful place that seems to become a staple for Hatsudai lunches!

There was an opera performance and it was my first visit to this restaurant. The walls were covered with signatures of many musicians. It seemed like an Italian restaurant, but the menu offered pasta, curry, and grilled chicken dishes. I ordered the sautéed chicken for around ¥2500. I had beer and white wine. The salad appetizer was not to my liking, and the minestrone soup was average. The grilled chicken was also just okay. The service was decent, but the food seemed a bit overpriced for a "Western-style" restaurant. I may or may not revisit in the future.

It is located inside the New National Theatre and I sometimes use it for lunch with colleagues. Reservations were required in the past, but it seems that it is okay to visit on the day even after the Corona pandemic. Upon entering, there is temperature check and alcohol disinfection. For lunch, you get one pasta dish with a salad bar and soup. Drinks (free) and dessert are extra. Since the Corona pandemic, you can now ask the staff to prepare the salad for you. The salad bar has alcohol disinfectant and disposable gloves for safety measures. The taste of the pasta is decent and normal, but the variety of the salad bar, relaxed atmosphere, and service make it a great value for money. I plan to visit again in the future.

Located on the 3rd floor of the New National Theatre building, this shop has a great location and a sophisticated atmosphere. It seems to be a hidden gem on days when there are no performances. I was lucky to be seated by the window, which was very pleasant. The lunch was reasonably priced and came with pasta of your choice, salad, soup, and bread buffet. The dressing for the salad was delicious. The Aglio e Olio pasta was a bit overcooked, which was disappointing considering the good flavor balance. However, overall, it was good value for money, so I will definitely go back again.

I have been to this restaurant many times, but I haven't posted about it. I often go for lunch with business partners. The lunch includes a salad bar where you can freely choose salads, bread, and soup. Pasta lunches start from 1000 yen, and there are also course meals available. For a weekday lunch like ours, it would be the 1000 yen lunch, but if you want to feel a bit more elegant before or after a performance at the National Theater, I recommend reserving a course meal. I believe there was also a drink bar, so it's also recommended for when you want to relax. In fact, when my mother was planning to have lunch with friends in Shinjuku before going to see a performance at the National Theater, I suggested this restaurant in Hatsudai instead of Shinjuku. If you don't know Shinjuku, you might get caught up in the crowded weekday salaryman lunch rush. My mother definitely wouldn't like that. She was grateful when I recommended reserving this restaurant to enjoy a leisurely coffee and chat with her friends. According to my business partners, it's common to see signs saying "Today's reservations are full" if you go for lunch without a reservation. I recommend making a reservation even for lunch. Maestro related rankings: Italian | Hatsudai Station, Sangubashi Station, Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochome Station

Before the opera starts, during intermission, and after the show, the time-oriented service is very convenient. I especially liked the Palace Salon buffet on the second floor of the Opera Palace during intermission. They offered sparkling wine and wine all-you-can-drink, along with simple but delicious canapés, appetizers, sandwiches, pasta, various desserts, fruits, and coffee, all designed to be quickly enjoyed during the short intermission. It cost 1,800 yen, which was reasonable considering the limited time and amount you can eat. Reservations were only accepted before the show, and the quantity of food was adjusted according to the number of guests, making it a great value if you eat efficiently. I personally enjoyed sparkling wine, white wine, and red wine, sometimes having more than one glass each. Unfortunately, they stopped offering this service since the start of the pandemic, which is quite disappointing. In the past, the season-ending party was held at the restaurant, which has now moved to the foyer with more guests invited, still operated by the same restaurant. The consistent quality of food and the convenient location make it the best choice during performances, as other nearby shops often have last call before the show ends.

Today's performance was Falstaff. Before it started, I had iced tea in the lobby. Nicola Alaimo, making his debut at the New National Theatre, had a powerful voice, was tall, and was very good. He might have been the best Falstaff I've seen so far.

Course style lunch. Chose scallop and seaweed cream pasta as the main dish with ginger ale. The appetizer and bread were nothing special. It's a shame that it didn't suit my taste as I like appetizers. The soup of the day was tomato-based. I'm not a fan of tomato soup, but it wasn't bad. The pasta was delicious. I particularly enjoyed it because I like seaweed. The panna cotta dessert was also good. Overall, it was a relaxing experience, so considering the atmosphere, it was worth it.

Napolitan is highly recommended for its overwhelming cost performance, while the curry was not so great.

All-you-can-drink course for 6300 yen. Delicious, but the cost performance might be average. - Bread - Appetizer: Salad, marinated fish - Pasta: Penne with cabbage cream sauce, which is excellent - Main dish: Steak, which is delicious and comes with tasty sauce and vegetables - Dessert - Coffee Overall, it's a stylish and relaxing dinner experience, although nothing particularly special. Service is good.