くらまん
I used to work in the Shibaura area near Tamachi Station quite a while ago for about 1 or 2 years. The area around the station has changed a lot since then, especially considering the times when I used to enjoy eating and drinking at the street food stalls after work. One such charming place that didn't exist back then is "Ristorante La Ciau," which offers regional dishes from Piedmont, Italy. Although Piedmont and Shibaura are quite different, it was a nostalgic visit for me.
I had been unwell since late July, and after about two weeks, I went for my first dine-out in early August at "Ristorante La Ciau" (Top 100). I wasn't completely recovered, but I had made plans with someone for a while, so I pushed myself a bit. I tend to get sick easily in the summer, and this year, it seems to have happened a bit earlier, possibly due to the heat. As infections have been increasing lately, I took a PCR test just to be safe (negative result). I made a reservation since I wasn't alone this time.
Shibaura was nostalgic for me (though it may not be the most interesting area), so I arrived early and strolled around a bit. Due to the hot weather, I took it easy, cooling off in cafes to adjust the time. I descended the stairs about 3 minutes before the opening time, entered the restaurant, and was greeted warmly as the first customer. Yes, going downstairs feels like entering a different world, expanding into the realm of Piedmont. I opted for the chef's course (¥5,000 excluding tax) and was explained the pre-dinner drink and the course contents. I had a sparkling wine. The interior of the restaurant is elegant. It's relatively small, but there are also completely private rooms. The wall side of the table seats has a row of leather-covered sofa chairs. The aisle side has separate chairs, also leather-covered, providing a stable seating comfort. As reservations filled up the table seats, there were still some vacant counter seats. The customers were all quiet, and despite being in Shibaura for lunchtime, they were a very stylish and refined clientele. The courteous service tailored to this atmosphere was also commendable.
The course included:
- Assorted appetizers including soup
- Homemade bread (you can get seconds)
- 2 seafood appetizers
- 3 pasta dishes (I thought it was a choice of 3, but all 3 were served)
- Main course
- Finishing dish (I chose risotto)
- Assorted desserts
- Drink (I ordered espresso)
Even though I ate this much, I didn't feel overly full, and there was no strange indigestion. Perhaps the well-balanced acidity in the seasoning, starting from the appetizers, contributed to this. Piedmontese cuisine is said to be based on French court cuisine, so I expected more robust flavors, but it was not overwhelmingly so. While only some details of the ingredients and recipes remain in my memory, here's a brief impression (there may be some inaccuracies, considering it's from memory). Feel free to enjoy the atmosphere through the photos without reading if you prefer. I tried to keep it concise, but it seems to have become a bit lengthy due to my bad habit. Here's a brief summary of the courses I recall:
- Assorted appetizers (with soup): Carrot soup with a gentle sweetness, ham, scallops and vegetable marinated, among 6 items. The carrot soup was delicious with a gentle sweetness. The marinated scallops, tomatoes, and other vegetables were refreshing. Of course, the ham, an essential Italian appetizer, was also delicious. Chef Umatu came by with a bright smile rather than a polite one, which changes the atmosphere.
- 2nd appetizer: Creamy sauce with depth, paired well with the white fish. It was tender but had a crisp texture.
- 1st Pasta: Clam's cold Caprese pasta. Olive oil with a hint of anchovies ==========