Listed on August 11, 2011, in Ushigome Kagurazaka, the Italian restaurant "Ristorante Carmine" is a well-established restaurant. I had visited its sister restaurant "Soliso" a few times and liked it, so I had been wanting to visit the main store as well. Finally, the other day, I was able to have lunch there. This restaurant opened in 1987 and at that time, it became quite a topic as a place where you could eat authentic Italian cuisine, which was still rare in Japan. Carmine, the owner and chef, was also the first Italian owner chef in Japan, so many people may be familiar with him. When I visited a little later in the day, the one-plate lunch was already over, so I decided to order the PranzoA (lunch course A). You can choose an appetizer, pasta, and dessert, and the after-meal drink can be coffee, tea, espresso, or cappuccino, all for 1,575 yen. Oh, and of course, bread comes with it~. I ordered the homemade marinated Norwegian salmon with apple salad for the appetizer, and the salmon was so delicious that I started to feel excited at this point. The spaghetti with sausage and various mushrooms was also a safe choice, and after the meal, I had cheesecake and cappuccino and returned home very satisfied. I definitely want to go eat there again. *On November 27, 2017, added note: "Ristorante Carmine" in Ushigome Kagurazaka is an Italian restaurant that opened in 1987 and is a long-established one. It is the first restaurant that Carmine, the first Italian owner chef in Japan, worked on, and you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine based on the Tuscany region of Italy at a reasonable price. The "Tomato Cream Sauce Tagliatelle with Snow Crab" is a dish that Carmine has put his heart into, and it has a wonderful taste. The cappuccino I had after the meal was also delicious, and I was able to spend another enjoyable time today.

We often go as a family. The staff at the restaurant, especially Carmines, are very kind and make the dining experience even more enjoyable. It's not a fancy Italian restaurant, but a lovely place with a warm atmosphere. It's usually busy for both lunch and dinner, but not noisy - everyone seems to be enjoying their meal. It's tempting to order a lot of dishes, but the portions are generous so you can get full without overdoing it. It's more fun to go with a larger group than a small one, as you can try a variety of dishes.

As expected, it is a pioneer of authentic Italian cuisine in Japan! Visited for lunch on a Saturday without a reservation. I couldn't decide between the lunch course and a la carte, so I ordered 4 dishes a la carte. *It is mandatory to order 2 or more dishes per person. The salad, milky burrata, prosciutto, pizza, and porcini mushroom risotto were all delicious!

After six months, I visited this restaurant again. Last time, I visited at night, but this time I tried their lunch set for 1,600 yen with an additional dessert. I remember it being quite crowded before the pandemic, but this time I was able to enter smoothly at noon. The appetizer, pizza, cheesecake, and cappuccino were all delicious as expected. It was a luxurious lunch, thank you.

Let's eat delicious pizza" was the theme of the restaurant recommended by Italian food lovers. My mother and I went for lunch, and we opted for the 1600 yen course which included an appetizer + pasta or pizza + drink. Even though we didn't make a reservation, the restaurant quickly filled up with customers after 12 o'clock, including individuals, couples, and groups. The staff seemed busy attending to everyone. The pizza we had was delicious, with a crispy crust. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The appetizer was also tasty, but it was more filling than expected, so we didn't have room for dessert. I will definitely come back for a take-out dessert someday.

It is a casual Italian restaurant in Italy with a cozy atmosphere. Ordering a set course, starting from appetizers to pizza, main dish, and dessert, everything was delicious and satisfying. The variety of appetizers allowed us to enjoy different dishes, and the pizza cooked in a traditional stone oven was delicious. For the main dish, I chose meat, which was tender and flavorful. I would love to visit again!

The menu is accessed by scanning a QR code with a mobile phone, but orders are placed with a server. It was a bit inconvenient that during busy times, the only additional menu option was pizza. However, all the dishes were delicious, and they had a great selection of tasty wines.

Visited for lunch with two people on a regular day. Ordered the 1,600 yen pizza and pasta lunch set. - For appetizers, we ordered a salad and an assortment of appetizers. The salad was generous in portion and a great way to get your veggies in. The assortment of appetizers included Caprese and about five other options, perfect for pairing with wine. - For the main course, we ordered the Bismarck pizza and Carbonara pasta. The Carbonara was made with thick penne pasta, both dishes were delicious. Plus, they came with a complimentary drink, making it a good deal.

We celebrated a child's birthday at this restaurant and had the evening course! The atmosphere of the restaurant was like an Italian trattoria, bright and lively. It was a very comfortable and relaxing place, and we could spend a leisurely time there. The service was just right, not too fast or too slow, so it was stress-free. I felt happy thinking that the chef and the staff have been building up their service for a long time. Everything was delicious, but personally, I loved the nduja bruschetta for the appetizer, the octopus pasta in tomato sauce, and the peanut cake! They were my favorites. The fact that we were provided with such a great meal at a reasonable price made me very grateful. My stomach, heart, and wallet were all satisfied, and I felt happy. I sincerely thank everyone for their efforts. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I visited after a long time to celebrate my son's graduation. I was a fan of "Solisso," but upon learning of its closure, I came to the main store. The unchanged deliciousness and the owner's warm personality created a pleasant atmosphere, making it feel like we were treating ourselves as a family. Thank you. My son will start living on his own from April. Despite feeling sad about the limited time together, a new hope emerged in my heart that "I want to visit again with my husband." Food really gives courage to people, doesn't it? Thank you. After April, I will visit again.

The atmosphere was great! The food was delicious, especially the pizza-like dish! We enjoyed wine and highballs too! I want to go back again! It was a charming place in Kagurazaka. I wonder what I should try next time. Come to think of it, I didn't have dessert.

I had the Saturday lunch course. It cost 3000 yen and included appetizers, pasta, main dish, dessert, and coffee. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere and the delicious food. The cost performance is also good. I want to visit this restaurant again.

It has been a while since Sorisso in Kagurazaka closed down, but today I visited Carmines, the boss-like figure. This restaurant in Ushigome Kagurazaka is more casual in a good way compared to Sorisso. For lunch that day, I chose the Ponte Vecchio course. First, you select a salad, appetizer assortment, then choose a main dish and a drink. I ordered the Rigatoni Carbonara from the appetizer assortment (forgot to take a picture). Although not included in the course, I also added panna cotta for dessert. The Rigatoni, which I forgot to take a picture of, was exquisite. The pasta was al dente with a crispy bacon texture and a wonderful salty flavor. The cost performance is also good, I wish I had come here sooner. It's a recommended restaurant. It would be nice if the staff could at least remember the types of pasta, but oh well, it's okay. Laugh.

The seasoning, portion size, temperature, and everything else about the food was perfect! The operation was also smooth, without any delays in serving the second course as often happens in courses. The speed of service was just right, the restaurant was bright, and the dishes kept my taste buds excited. Truly impressive! I will definitely come back!

A long-established restaurant in Kagurazaka where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and wine. We made a reservation for seats only this time, as the main purpose was wine, and ordered a la carte. We had a mixed appetizer platter, lasagna, fried lamb cutlet, and dessert, and each had 2 glasses of wine. The total for two people was around 14,000 yen.

This is an Italian-owned restaurant run by Chef Carmine. I went for lunch this time, and for 1,850 yen, you get an appetizer platter or salad, your choice of pasta or pizza, dessert, coffee or tea, and bread. It's very reasonable, and everything was delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also fantastic. I recommend the dinner-exclusive dishes, especially the Vongole (clam pasta with a salty flavor) and the assorted cured ham. The Vongole in particular was tastier than any other restaurant's version I've tried. The staff were friendly and provided excellent service.

Carmine is a famous Italian restaurant known for being the first Italian-owned restaurant in Japan, opened in 1988. I remembered seeing Carmine on TV shows like "Kewpie 3-Minute Cooking". After reading positive reviews from MyRepi, I decided to make a reservation for weekend lunch to see Carmine himself still working at the restaurant. The staff at the restaurant were all handsome and charming, especially the tall, handsome man who greeted me at the entrance. The menu was QR code-based, which I found a bit inconvenient as I prefer traditional paper menus. I opted for the weekend lunch course priced at 3000 yen. The meal started with bread, which was a bit hard for my liking. The appetizer platter was diverse and delicious, offering a variety of flavors and textures. The lasagna, a signature dish of Carmine, was flavorful and not too heavy. The seafood fritters were crispy and well-seasoned, making me crave for a glass of wine. Carmine himself started making pizzas in front of the guests, adding a theatrical touch to the dining experience. The Caprese cake for dessert was rich and moist, resembling a chocolate cake with almond flour. Overall, the meal was satisfying and reasonably priced. I was impressed to see Carmine still actively working in the kitchen. I look forward to trying their pizza on my next visit.

Kagurazaka's long-established and popular Italian restaurant. My father used to visit this place with his classmates multiple times when he attended an English cram school in Iidabashi. Since it's close to our house, it was my first visit. I decided to splurge and ordered the steak lunch. It came with salad and fried potatoes, and I was very satisfied. They have a stamp card for weekday lunches, where you can earn 1 free lunch plate for every 10 points collected, which is a great deal. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal.

I made a dinner reservation in the Ushigome Kagurazaka area after a long time. I knew the name of the restaurant well, but it was my first visit. The owner chef, Carmine, is said to be the first Italian owner chef in Japan. I have seen him on TV often. When I entered the restaurant, the atmosphere was open and lively, although the spacing between tables was a bit tight. I made a reservation on Tabelog, so we were served sparkling wine as a welcome drink. My partner was driving, so they kindly offered orange juice instead. Since it was a dinner for two, we decided to order a la carte. We had a traditional Italian appetizer platter, a pizza with mozzarella and various vegetables, and beef cheek stewed in red wine. The appetizer platter was beautifully presented with a variety of items such as prosciutto, rice bowl, caprese, chicken liver on baguette, and some fried items. The fried item was a bit confusing, but it tasted delicious. The pizza with mozzarella and zucchini was one of the best I've had, with a fluffy crust. The beef cheek stew was very generous in portion, served with a generous amount of mashed potatoes. The beef was tender and flavorful, without any unpleasant smell. We also ordered a glass of red wine during the meal. Even though we were already full, we couldn't resist trying the dessert. We had a pumpkin pudding, which was a mistake as we had misunderstood the dessert options. The service was very polite, and the staff, including the handsome waiter who took our order, made our dining experience enjoyable. Carmine himself also joined us during the meal, interacting with regular customers and even taking care of the drinks himself. The atmosphere was lively, with many regulars and foreign customers. Overall, we were very satisfied with the food and service. It was a popular and bustling restaurant. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I made a reservation for a little anniversary and drove there because it seemed a bit far to walk. It felt slightly far from any station as well. Despite that, the restaurant was popular with good customer traffic. I made a reservation on Tabelog and got a complimentary drink. The appetizer platter was for one person, but it seemed like a generous portion for the two of us. There were various types and flavors to enjoy. The potato salad-like dish made with cod was unique and delicious when eaten with bread. The pizza was loaded with vegetables and mozzarella cheese. You could see a wood-fired pizza oven in the back, and the pizza dough was chewy and delicious. It was one of the best pizza doughs I've ever had. The braised beef cheek in red wine was classic and delicious, and the homemade mashed potatoes added to the overall taste. Carmine-san made an appearance around this time, visiting regular customers' tables. He also came to take our drink orders. The pumpkin pudding dessert was also delicious. Maybe the caramel could have been a bit more bitter? I had coffee and finished the meal. The restaurant was a bit noisy and lively, but it had a cozy, Italian family-style feel. The tables were a bit small for two people, but each dish was served at the right time, and the service was excellent.

Carmine Cozzolino, in his 30s at the time, opened the first Italian restaurant in Japan run by an Italian owner-chef near Kagurazaka in Ushigome Kitamachi in 1987. At that time, there was a boom of "Itameshi" (Italian food) in Japan. Later, during the bubble period, he opened a second restaurant, "Sorriso," in Kagurazaka. "Carmine" and "Sorriso" became very popular as casual yet authentic Italian restaurants in the midst of the Italian boom. I started going to Carmine much later. I found it surprising that the restaurant was only a 20-minute walk from my apartment. It became a convenient place for me to listen to my junior colleagues' work troubles or have a chat with friends over lunch. The COVID-19 pandemic hit this long-established restaurant hard. "Sorriso" closed down, and "Carmine" struggled. They started offering takeout, but there were few customers stopping by. I occasionally bought spaghetti for takeout. I also worried about the owner-chef Carmine's seemingly tired face inside the restaurant. In June 2022, on a weekday at lunchtime, I decided to stop by for lunch after a hospital visit. The restaurant was packed with tables, but I managed to get in after a short wait outside. It seems like they are overcoming the pandemic. I chose the A course pasta set for 1270 yen. It was a cost-effective set that included salad, pasta or pizza, bread, coffee, etc. After a hearty salad with boiled eggs, tuna, and tomatoes, I chose the authentic Margherita pizza baked in a pizza oven. The chewy crust was to my liking. My family chose the B course for 1850 yen. After a platter of appetizers, they had tuna and tomato spaghetti, and dessert was also included. The panna cotta was soft and delicious, just to our liking. When I asked for a hot cappuccino, they brought out a very delicious hot one, which made me happy. The owner-chef, who seemed to have aged since the last time, was standing at the entrance. When I thanked him, he cheerfully responded in fluent Japanese, which was reassuring. Italian restaurants in Tokyo now offer course meals only, specialize in regional Italian cuisine, or aim for innovative Italian cuisine. There are many unique and avant-garde restaurants. But to be clear, this place is like the Italian restaurants of the past. It may not be surprising, but it provides a sense of comfort. For me, such restaurants are also important.