Our annual tradition at La Betulla, a restaurant run by the respected Chef Tsutomu Ochiai. My goal, now that I am over 50, is to see how well I can handle La Betulla with my aging taste buds. To start, I prepare by eating lightly the day before. Of course, on the day itself, I skip lunch. However, the first pitfall is actually the bread. I always end up eating too much of it as an appetizer, which makes me uncomfortable every time. Today, I will definitely resist the temptation. Next is the wine. While I would like to try the recommended Barolo or a full-bodied red, I opt for a refreshing Sicilian Chardonnay. The amount I drink remains the same, so it's all about the mood. When it comes to the menu, I need to be cautious with dishes containing meat, cream, or fried foods. In the past, I preferred heavy dishes, but now that I am older, I find a combination of light and heavy to be the best. So, I chose the following three dishes: <Assorted appetizers> Despite being an assortment, it was overflowing with various items...how many are there (laughs). <Duck and Burdock Fettuccine> A first for me, the combination of burdock and tomato sauce. New dishes are always fresh and enjoyable. <Grilled Red Snapper/Crab and Scallion Sauce> Looking back, I had the same dish with Spanish mackerel last time (bitter smile). Clearly, if I don't research properly, I end up with the same choices due to my preferences. Next time, I might try a meat dish. <Side note> The interior, or rather the tables and seating, seemed to have changed since La Betulla opened. The prices have apparently gone up since September. Despite this, my satisfaction remains unchanged, but I understand that things are tough, especially with the pandemic. I will come back again next year, so thank you in advance. At this point, I no longer need a score of 3.66.

Ginza LA BETTOLA da Ochiai, Lunch B: Chef Tsutomu Ochiai, who leads Italian cuisine in Japan, opened the popular restaurant "LA BETTOLA" in 1997. The name "LA BETTOLA da Ochiai" means tavern or dining hall, and the motto of the restaurant is to serve unpretentious Italian dishes that can be enjoyed every day. Located about a 7-minute walk from Tsukidzui Kotsu Clinic on Thursdays, the nearest stations are Shintomicho and Takaramachi on the Tokyo Metro, about a 5-minute walk away. Reservations are essential. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and currently offers two types of lunch courses: A and B. Lunch course A includes appetizers and pasta dishes (choose from several options each), while lunch course B includes appetizers, pasta, and a main dish (choose one each). The dinner menu is based on lunch course B, with additional a la carte options available as needed. The lunch course B menu for today includes: - Appetizers: Carpaccio of the day's fish, Homemade terrine of duck, premium pork, and local chicken, Mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce with truffle-flavored egg, Caprese salad with mozzarella cheese from Yoshida Ranch and tomatoes, Assorted appetizers of the day - Pasta: Spaghetti with fresh sea urchin, Shrimp and arugula spaghetti, Tomato and basil spaghetti, Spaghetti with smoked salmon, eringi mushrooms, and spinach in cream sauce, Eggplant and caper tomato sauce spaghetti, Penne with Gorgonzola cheese or spicy tomato sauce, Rigatoni with beef cheek in red wine sauce, Lasagna - Main dish: Fish of the day, Mackerel meuniere with mushroom sauce, Grilled mackerel with fresh tomato and basil sauce, Grilled lamb with herb sauce (additional ¥330 including tax), Grilled premium pork with Neapolitan tomato sauce or lemon, Pork cutlet with tomato and arugula salad, Tagliata (thinly sliced duck, premium pork, or beef) with salad. The drinks included were: Sparkling wine, dry white wine Tareni, full-bodied Barolo, Espresso. Everything was really delicious! I've already made a reservation for lunch next Thursday, September 21st. The menu is so varied that I feel like I can come back many times. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

La Bettola is a restaurant run by the Italian pioneer and master chef Tsutomu Ochiai. Despite his reputation, the atmosphere is very approachable, giving off a casual Italian eatery vibe. The name "La Bettola" means dining room or kitchen, which perfectly captures the ambiance Ochiai aimed for. Today, my wife and I had a rare weekday lunch date that we had been eagerly anticipating since making a reservation online a month ago. We ordered the Lunch Set A Pasta Set for 2,420 yen (tax included), which includes a choice of appetizer and pasta. First up was the assorted appetizer plate, a visually appealing dish that we enjoyed with sparkling wine. The plate included broccoli aglio e olio, Italian-style omelette, avocado and tuna tartare, caprese salad, sautéed mushrooms, vegetable tomato stew, and prosciutto with arugula. Everything was delicious! The bread served in a separate basket was also incredibly tasty, prompting us to ask for more. Next, we were served shrimp and arugula spaghetti, which was beautifully presented and tasted amazing. The al dente pasta coated in oil sauce, flavorful shrimp, sweet cherry tomatoes, and slightly bitter arugula truly showcased the essence of Italian cuisine. However, the standout dish that left us in awe was the fresh sea urchin spaghetti that my wife ordered. It cost an additional 330 yen as part of the pasta set, but it was worth every penny. The rich sea urchin cream sauce was unbelievably delicious, and we couldn't resist using the bread to soak up every last bit of sauce on the plate. We finished off our meal with a cup of coffee and left feeling satisfied. La Bettola truly embodies the essence of classic Italian cuisine with a touch of innovation. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I visited the restaurant on a weekday night with a reservation. Everything, including the bread on the side, was delicious! I now understand why it's so popular. - The appetizer platter and carrot soup were delicious, with the soup having a high sugar content. - The risotto, omelette-style, was even more delicious when eaten with the runny egg. - The sea urchin pasta had plenty of uni and was satisfying. - The grilled fish had a slightly Japanese-style snow crab sauce. - The grilled Shikoku pork and beef cheek in red wine sauce were both tender and tasty. The ginger in the pork sauce was strong but good, and I was able to eat it all up. - For dessert, we could each choose one from a selection. The pudding was not too firm or sweet, just to my liking. It was also very filling. The seasonal blueberry tart was so delicious that I wished they sold the desserts to take home. After the meal, we could each choose our own coffee or tea. I will definitely visit again.

I finally got to visit a restaurant I've always wanted to go to. This time, I chose the B course which includes appetizers, pasta, and a main dish. The lunch price of 3,300 yen (including tax) is a bit luxurious, but I'm satisfied with the quality. The assorted appetizers were delicious. The lasagna was rich and full of cheese, incredibly tasty. The pork dish my husband ordered was sweet and delicious. The focaccia was all-you-can-eat, so we were completely satisfied and full. We were able to pay with a credit card. I definitely want to go again.

"Simple is best" is the phrase that best describes this Italian restaurant. It sticks to the classics and maintains delicious flavors. The tomato and mozzarella salad is a must-try, and the fresh sea urchin pasta is exceptional with perfectly cooked al dente pasta. The beef tagliata is also a standout dish, served with balsamic and Parmigiano Reggiano. Dessert and coffee are charged separately. It's clear that Chef Ochiai's expertise shines through in both the food and the staff's service. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

✳️ Labettoladao Chiai @ Ginza Ichome Reservation-difficult Italian restaurant pioneer. I was able to make a reservation on weekdays. Lunch is a prefixed course. The bread is focaccia, but it was not freshly made. For appetizers, I chose the assorted plate which included broccoli aglio e olio, pork rillettes, prosciutto, salmon mushroom stir-fry, and vegetable tomato sauce stew. It's nice to have a variety of options in small portions! The fresh sea urchin spaghetti was impressive with a generous amount of sea urchin on top. The pasta itself was very satisfying! The grilled herb lamb was surprisingly large and had a strong flavor. It was tender and juicy. The potatoes were also delicious and surprising. The total cost was 3650 yen. It's quite a good deal!

It's been a while since I last visited this restaurant. I was lucky to get a reservation the day before, but when I entered the restaurant, it was only about 60% full, so we were able to get in without a reservation on the same day. We opted for the appetizer and pasta course. The appetizer was a variety of dishes, which we enjoyed with bread. However, considering the outside temperature, they were served at room temperature. It might have been better if some of them were served chilled, especially in the summer. My friend had the lasagna, and I tried the shrimp and arugula pasta. The seasoning was balanced and the pasta was cooked well, but it felt heavy and a bit too buttery. The shrimp was plentiful, but overcooked and didn't mix well with the pasta. I ended up leaving it. We had tiramisu and coffee for dessert, and the tiramisu was delicious. It had been a long time since I visited the main branch, and the fact that I was able to easily get a reservation made me realize something about the food. The prices were reasonable and appreciated, but the taste didn't quite live up to the memories from the past. Maybe I'll come back in another 10 years or so.

Italian restaurant "LA BETTOLA da Ochiai" in Ginza/Shintomicho is a great place to enjoy delicious Italian cuisine! During lunchtime, they offer two options: A course and B course. The B course includes appetizer, pasta, and main dish, all for 3,300 yen (excluding tax), which is quite cost-effective. The portions are generous, so women may be satisfied with the A course, which includes only appetizer and pasta. The dishes include duck, premium pork, chicken terrine, sea bream carpaccio, beef cheek with red wine sauce rigatoni lasagna, snow crab and kujo green onion karasumi spaghetti, beef taliata with salad, and grilled swordfish with fresh tomato and basil sauce. #LABETTOLAdaOchiai #ShintomichoGourmet #ItalianRestaurant #AuthenticItalian #ShintomichoCafe #EastGinzaGourmet #ItalianCuisine #PastaLover #PizzaLover #DeliciousFood #StylishCafe #DinnerTime #LunchTime #GourmetDish #Foodie #EnjoyableTimeWithFriends #DeliciousDish #Pasta

On 7/7/2023 (Saturday), after making a reservation in advance, we were guided to a neighboring restaurant around 11:30 based on reservation order. We ordered the Lunch Course B for 3,300 yen, which included a generous portion of today's fish carpaccio made with Madai. The appetizer was very satisfying and raised our expectations for the pasta and main course. The spaghetti with eggplant and caper tomato sauce was delicious, with the eggplant being very tender and flavorful. The highlight was the Tagliata (thinly sliced beef) with salad. Even though we were almost full, the dishes were so delicious that we could still eat more. The combination of beef, cheese, and sauce was excellent. The focaccia served between the appetizer and pasta was also delicious and had a good portion size. The service was polite and somewhat homely. If we can make a reservation, we would definitely want to come back again.

The origin of Uni pasta! As a Uni lover, I was very interested in this place! I visited for the first time at a private party of an acquaintance, and the Uni pasta was as delicious as rumored! I now want to come for lunch or dinner normally! --------------------------------------------- Likes, saves, and follows are very welcome! It would make me very happy! I also have an Instagram account. I mainly post stories there. Occasionally, I also post about hard-to-reserve restaurants and private parties. If you take me to a restaurant I want to go to, I will invite you to a restaurant with available reservations! Instagram account @yellowpink24 https://www.instagram.com/yellowpink24/?hl=ja I would be happy if you could follow me there too. ---------------------------------------------

I go to this restaurant every month. The staff remember me and it's very user-friendly. In terms of cost and taste, I haven't found any other Italian restaurant that surpasses this one, especially when it comes to pizza. Everything is delicious, but the pasta is cooked perfectly.

I brought my new friend to "La Bettola da Ochiai" in Ginza. We chose the prefix style menu where you can select appetizers, pasta, and main dishes freely. It's a standard choice because you always get delicious food here, so you can invite someone with confidence. This time, we had grilled Caciocavallo cheese, Pescaiore pasta, and premium pork cutlet. Everything was delicious! It's convenient that the meal finishes in about 2 hours. After that, we walked towards Edogran to find a place for the second round. Although the nearest Hatchobori station is a bit inconvenient, all the nearby stations are close enough to walk to, which is nice.

I made a reservation online on a regular night and visited after a long time. The restaurant seemed quite popular as it was quite full. The staff mentioned that tables are assigned in the order of reservations, so those who reserve early are seated in the back. We were seated at a table in the far back, almost like a private room. The restaurant offers a course menu with a prefix system, but you can also order a la carte. In addition to the regular menu, there were also daily recommendations. You can choose appetizers, pasta, and main dishes. It seems that you can also order two appetizers or two main dishes. It was fun to have a variety of options and we enjoyed the dishes we ordered: - Butter-grilled spinach - Roasted potatoes - Grilled spear squid - Lightly smoked bonito tataki - Grilled Kachokavaro cheese - Rich sea urchin spaghetti - Grilled red snapper - Mixed grill The dishes were vegetable-heavy, which was great. With a diverse menu, I look forward to my next visit. We enjoyed beer and wine by the bottle. Thank you for the meal.

I finally had the opportunity to try a meal produced by Mr. Ochiai. I had a 3300 yen lunch, which included Suzuki carpaccio, sea urchin cream pasta, today's fish dish, and focaccia. The quality and quantity were excellent for the price. It seems this is what makes popular restaurants stand out. The sea urchin cream pasta was not exactly to my liking, so I will try a different pasta next time.

Former colleagues contacted me in late March and suggested meeting up in June for a conference in Tokyo. Despite now working in different places, we decided to meet up with a total of 4 people. I took charge of making a reservation at a popular restaurant without knowing it. I made a reservation for 4 people easily on the website 2 months ago. We ordered a course dinner which included appetizers, pasta, and main dishes. Everything was delicious, including the bread. The dessert was not included in the course price, but it was worth ordering separately. I was so full that I only ordered an espresso at the end. For the appetizer, I chose the flounder carpaccio which was very tasty. The pasta was cooked slightly al dente, maybe considering the eating time. It was very delicious and satisfying. Lastly, we had the red wine braised beef cheek which was incredibly tender and the red wine sauce was amazing. We finished it in no time and I would definitely make a reservation again.

The appetizers at the restaurant were plentiful again today, and both my parents enjoyed them. My parents had sea urchin pasta, while I had pasta with snow crab and bottarga. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and filled with lots of crab. It was delicious as always.

I made a reservation for 13:15 on a sunny weekday. The restaurant was fully booked, so it seems necessary to make a reservation even on weekdays. There are lunch sets priced at 2,200 yen and 3,300 yen, with the only difference being whether there is a main dish included or not. You can choose from a selection of appetizers, pasta, and main dishes. Drinks and desserts are not included. I had the 3,300 yen lunch set, which included a mixed appetizer plate, spaghetti with fresh sea urchin, and sautéed sea bream with crab and leek sauce. The restaurant offers standard Italian cuisine but with a Japanese twist by incorporating local ingredients. Both the pasta and main dish were delicious, but with a slightly different taste. It felt like the flavors were adjusted to suit Japanese palates. The tables are close together, following the Italian dining style where people can chat and interact easily. This restaurant is not a place to escape from daily life, but rather a place to enjoy within your regular routine. However, it was quite crowded for a weekday.

Great cost performance! The menu is extensive and depending on what you choose, the taste can vary, making it always fresh. I tend to order similar items each time, but they are always delicious. It's convenient to have a municipal parking lot nearby. It's right next to it, so even on rainy days, it's not a problem.

Located just a 1-minute walk from Takara-cho Station, or about 7 minutes from Higashi-Ginza Station, La Bettola da Ochiai is a stylish restaurant that can be a bit tricky to find without local knowledge. Upon entering, you are greeted by friendly staff and a warm, lively atmosphere. Despite the bad weather, the restaurant was packed. We had reserved the second dinner seating at 20:15, as the first seating at 18:00 tends to sell out quickly. The course menu includes an appetizer, choice of pasta or risotto, and a main dish for 4,950 yen, making it a great value. The variety of dishes to choose from was impressive. For the appetizer, we had scallop carpaccio with a mountain of vegetables and mushrooms, which was delicious and refreshing. The risotto with crab and tomato sauce was bursting with flavor, and the rice had a nice texture. The main dish was braised beef cheek in red wine, served with a generous portion of mashed potatoes. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the sauce paired perfectly with the potatoes. For dessert, we tried the plum in red wine, which was like jam and paired well with the vanilla ice cream. Even though we were already full, it was a perfect ending to the meal. The dishes ordered by others at the table were equally impressive, with each dish offering a surprising amount of volume and flavor. The staff were friendly and added to the enjoyable atmosphere of the restaurant. Overall, La Bettola da Ochiai is a place that is suitable for any occasion and one that you will want to visit again and again.