Fontegara (Italian)

5-20 Hinoike-cho, Nishinomiya / 0798-71-7750/11:30-14:30/18:00-21:30/Closed on Tue (+1 Wed a month)/6 pickels / ¥¥

Why risk life and limb on a visit to Napoli when great Napolitan pizza can be found in Kurakuen?

There's nothing exquisite about this tiny pizzeria, but it does deliver on its promise of "real good pizza in Napoli style." In fact, there is not much on the menu - only several pizza and pastas. But for those evenings in Kurakuen when you don't need fancy food and prefer something basic and delicious, a simple dinner at Fontegara with a bottle of wine and a pizza margerita may be your best best bet. It's good for lunch too. Fontegara's pizza dough is made only from flour, water and salt. After kneading, they let the dough rise for over 24 hours, then flatten it by hand into a chewy crust. Like the pizza, everything about Fontengara, including the decor and service, gives an unsophisticated but warm homespun feeling. But be warned, they serve only one pizza at a time - it seems their oven is rather small. While you wait you can brush up on your European geography by checking out the maps that adorn the walls.

Food: 7 | Service: 5 | Ambience: 6 | Total:6

Menu in Japanese

HOW TO GET THERE: From Hankyu Kurakuen go straight the big street towards west. Go 50 m after passing the second big junction. It's on your left. Parking available. (It's next to Daiten sushi restaurant and a children's boutique.)

Santa Lucia (Italian)

1-9-17, Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka / 06-6444-8881 / 11:00-14:00 / 18:00-21:30 (last order) / Yen 10000 / 6.5 pickels / ¥¥/¥¥¥

Mamma mia!! Great Italian home cooking in downtown Osaka.

Santa Lucia is located in one of those extremely narrow houses, typical for Japanese downtown dwellings. The Italian-style facade decorated with red geraniums in window boxes makes the place a truly Italian site. When entering the restaurant your senses already convey you an idea of what to expect. You see a colorful array of fresh vegetables, marinated antipasti and fresh seafood. Your nose picks up the smell of pizza and other delightful dishes. Yes, you are looking at the core of Santa Lucia - the kitchen. After that mouthwatering experience you can't wait to treat your palate. Being to Santa Lucia several times, the creations by Italian chef and owner Stelvio Spano were never disappointing. The menu delivers in true Italian style and the portions are wholly satisfying. The dining rooms are on the second and third floor that you reach by climbing up a very steep and narrow staircase. If you think that going up is an adventure, wait for descending it. Especially after a full course meal and wine.

Try the prosecco with blood orange juice as an aperitif while deciding what to eat, and enjoy the complimentary selection of homemade deep-fried bread and rolls with herbs. Appetizers include a plate of mortadella, salami, and mozzarella cheese so fresh and soft that you don't mind having it just plain. Warm slices of homemade Italian sausages, tuna carpaccio or marinated vegetables and seafood are tempting choices. The primi piatti offers a wide selection of pastas and risotto. The seafood risotto comes with large mussels, clams and squid, and is well balanced with a hint of chillis for a piquant risotto delight. Among main courses, the mixed grilled seafood is excellent, and a succulent large lamb chop accompanied by grilled vegetables and fresh tomatoes makes a light and tasty dish. Round off the meal with tiramisu or panna cotta, and cappuccino served with amaretti.

Food: 7 | Service: 6 | Ambience: 6.5 | Total: 6.5

Menu in Japanese and Italian, daily menu in Japanese only.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take Yotsubashi Line to Higobashi Station. At Higobashi Station take Exit 7 and walk to the right until you have passed China Airlines and Resona Bank. At the corner of Resona Bank take the road to the right. Santa Lucia is in that street on the second corner on your left.

BaliLax THE GARDEN (SE Asian)

Gendaiorange Bld 3F, 1-9-1, Minamihorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka / 06-6538-4402 / Mon-Thu 17:00-24:00 / Fri 17:00-5:00 / Sat 12:00-5:00 / Before Holiday 17:00-5:00 / Sun & Holiday 12:00-24:00 / Yen 5000 / 6.5 pickels / ¥¥

Resort-like dining experience in an exotic Balinese ambience

You don't have to take the airplane to enjoy a dinner in a Balinese atmosphere. Just take the elevator to the 3rd floor of the Gendaiorange Bld in Minamihorie and enter the world of BaliLax. The interior decoration is just stunning. Places like that are hard to be found, not only in Osaka. A relaxing and exotic ambience with lush greenery, dimmed lights, wooden carved screens and Indonesian furniture sets the tone.

BaliLax offers several dining areas. The best spot for alfresco dining is by the poolside on the open terrace transferring you to a Balinese resort - a must dining experience especially during summer time. Inside, apart from the usual table dining you can chose cozy booths where you sit on the floor with comfortable cushions, each area separated by white transparent curtains.

But of course, it is not only the interior that makes this place worth going. The menu offers different kinds of Southeast Asian dishes between Yen 500 and Yen 1300. For starters we tried some rice paper spring rolls with prawns, tuna avocado salad, as well as some Indonesian dishes with a modern touch like warm gado gado salad and ostriches sate. In the mille-feuille with fish and asparagus the tomato sauce was a bit too dominant. And although there was nothing wrong with the mee goreng and chop chee, we weren't too excited either.

The desserts are recommendable and offer something from east and west. The banana brownie with caramelized nuts and vanilla ice cream as well as the parfait "The Garden" and the Mont Blanc cake were a pleasure. Finnish off with a cup of Balinese coffee.

No English menu.

Food: 5.5 Service: 5.5 Ambience: 9 Total: 6.5 Pickels

HOW TO GET THERE: By car - On Hanshin Expressway Nr. 3 (Kobe Line) take exit Awaza. Go to the left following Chuo-dori till you reach the junction Naniwa-suji. Make a right turn and go down Naniwa-suji. After crossing Nagahori-dori turn left to Orange Road, which is probably the seventh street on your left. The Gendaiorange Bld is at the end of Orange Road on the left.

Website: http://balilax.com/horie/

Modo di Ponte Vecchio (Italian)

30F Yasuda Seimei Osaka Bldg, 3-3-20 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka/06-4795-8888/ 11:30-14:00/18:00-22:00/Closed on 1st,3rd Mon/ Yen 8000 /8 pickels/¥¥¥

An inspiration for "great Italian taste in style" in the middle of Osaka.

Since opening the first Ponte Vecchio in Sakaisuji Honmachi (now in Temma), Chef Yamane has never betrayed the expectaion of true food lovers. Modo di Ponte Vecchio, his third restaurant, is attracting an even bigger crowd than its predeccesors with great ambience at reasonable prices. For those who remember the original, the newest incarnation of Ponte Vecchio is more of a crowd-pleaser, with stylish but casual atmosphere and attentive service.
A 5000 yen pre-fix course comes with 1 appetizer, your choice of 2 dishes from 30 pasta and main dish selections, and your choice from the dessert menu. If you feel extravagant, go for their 8000 yen "omakase" (chef's recommendation) menu - for that I got "marinated mackeral w/sweet tomato sauce", "homard lobster in phyllo w/truffle sauce", "linguine w/oysters, tomato sauce", "pappardelle chicken and cabbage sauce", "young chicken roll w/foie gras", and "chestnut tiramusu w/caramel ice cream".
I liked the food presentation and, in general, the taste was good; but at the same time I thought it lacked impact. Well, I suppose I expected too much, or perhaps the Chef was too busy opening his 4th restaurant in Namba Parks. Still, there is no doubt this is one of the top Italian restaurants in Osaka and I will certainly make a point of trying to come back when the chef is in residence.

Food: 7 Service: 8.5 Ambience: 8.5 Total: 8 pickels

Ask for English menu when making reservation. Basic order in English is OK.

HOW TO GET THERE: It's across the street from the Ritz Carlton Osaka. 30th Floor of Yasuda Seimei Building.