Da Nanninella

8-21 Higahiyama-cho, Ashiya/0797-25-9667/11:30-14:30,18:00-21:30/¥5000-8000/6 pickels

Santa Lucia in Osaka opened its sister restaurant in Ashiya.

Santa Lucia in Osaka offers an authentic, hearty Italian food made by its owner-chef Mr. Spano. Now we can enjoy his great Napolitan pizza in Ashiya as well.

Da Nanninella is situated above a liquor store called "Century" (by-the-way, which has a good supply of wines). Entering into the restaurant, what you'll see is its big open kitchen. On the counter you can see today's antipasti dishes neatly laid on. Walking further into the restaurant, you can see a big pizza oven and piled logs in one corner. It's a mistake to go to this place to find sophistication either from their food, decor and service. This is a place to have authentic, "Italian" casual food.

The menu does not offer wide varieties. You can find very basic menu such as margerita pizza and napoletana pizza, and several kinds of pasta. Their antipasto misto comes in a large volume, which is good share. Pasta dishes includes basic ones like peperoncino and vongole. Each dish does not dissapoint you in terms of volume and amount of garlic they use. This restaurant is certainly not for people who seek for a romantic evening but for friends or family who want to have good food together. (And don't be afraind of bringing young kids!!)

I do not know if it is because of its authenticity, Ashiya people decided to overlook its rough service. When we went here during weekdays, we did not have any trouble in getting a table, but when we returned to the restaurant on Saturday and Sunday, without reservation, we couldn't get a table!

Food: 6.5 Service: 5 Ambience: 6 Total: 6 pickles

How to get there: By car, turn toward Ashiya Ikari Supermarket at Miyagawa crossing on Ruote 2 (towards the mountain side). At the Ikari supermarket, turn left. After you pass Seven Eleven CV store on your right, you'll see a street that runs in parallel to the street you're on. There's a liquor store on that street and Da Naninella is above the liquor store. After 8:00 pm you can park in front of the liquor store.

XEX WEST (Complex Dining)

Herbis Ent 7F, 2-2-22 Kita-ku Umeda, Osaka/06-4795-0065/11:30 - 15:30 (LO 14:30) 18:00 - 24:00 (LO 23:00)/¥7000-20000/7.5 pickles

Tokyo style dining arrived in Osaka!

XEX has come to Kansai area for the first time. XEX WEST consists of three parts: “The BAR”, "AN" (Japanese restaurant) and "Salvatore Cuomo Bros" (Italian restaurant). This new hip place on the top floor of Herbis Ent is certainly a place to be seen for Osaka celebrities (if it's not an oxymoron).

I tried their Italian restaurant and the experience was really pleasant. They try very hard to keep the italian atmosphere. At least one of their waiters/waitresses constantly keep shouting words in Italian. Well, it didn't bother me but if you understand Italian, you may feel bit awkward. They have Napoli (5800 yen), Salvatore (7800 yen) and Special courses (12,000 yen)for dinner and all are pre-fix courses. We ordered Salvatore course that comes with 2 starters, pizza, pasta, main course and dessert. Each dish was pleasure both for eyes and palates and the volume was ample. I found their wine menu quite well organized and reasonable.

I strongly recommend this restaurant if you're planning a dinner for your anniversary or somebody's birthday. English menu and service available. Credit cards OK.

Check their homepage.

Food: 7 Service: 7.5 Ambience: 7.5 Total: 7.5 pickles

How to get there: It's on the 7th floor of Herbis Ent in Umeda.

Giovanni (Italian)

Ashiya 10 Address Building 1F, 10-10 Kohmitsu-cho, Ashiya / 0797-35-0855 / 11:30-14:30 / 18:00-22:30 (last order 21:30) Closed Wed. / Yen 7000 / 6 pickels / ¥¥

Casual Italian next to Hanshin Ashiya Station

Giovanni is not the place for that special dinner, but one that we often visit when we decide to eat out on a short notice. The ambience is casual and simple, but pleasant. And reservations are usually not required.

The food at Giovanni is a safe bet, with consistent quality and partially creative. They use spices generously, so that food tastes hearty, unlike so many restaurants that believe catering to the Japanese palate means using no salt. The menu includes a la carte and 2 set menus, with the Yen 4000 course clearly offering the best value. It consists of an appetizer, pasta, main course, dessert and coffee.

The wine list offers a decent choice of Italian wines in various price categories. The service is quick and efficient, patiently introducing the Japanese menu from the chalkboard.

No English menu, no English spoken.

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

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the north exit of Hanshin Ashiya Station, cross the street and walk to the north for 30 meters. Giovanni is on the corner on the ground floor. By car from Kobe: on route 2 cross Ashiya river. Turn right not into the street on the banks of the river, but just after the Koban. Giovanni is on the left corner across the street of the next big junction.→This restaurant was moved to a new location. It is located on the street behind Fratello, along the Hanshin rail tracks.

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.

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.

I Venticelli (Italian)

1F Adole-Kurakuen, 24-16 Hinoike-cho, Nishinomiya / 0798-74-0244 / 11:00-14:00 / 17:30-22:00 / Closed on Wed / Yen 9000 / 6.5 pickels / ¥¥

An interesting Italian dining option in Kurakuen

Takuji Asai, the chef at I Venticelli, lived and worked in Italy for 2 years after being educated at renowned Italian restaurants in Japan. It shows, not only in the food. You'll immediately be able to spot him in the open kitchen.

The ambience is modern and the food ranges from classic Italian fare like delicious home made Spaghetti with lamb ragout to more adventurous creations, including Italian-Japanese fusions. Although you may be in for a culinary surprise, his quest for creativity may also result in dishes pleasing some palates, but which to the majority of diners lack harmony and balance.

Nevertheless, we usually went for the Yen 4500 course (plus surcharge for some dishes), which included appetizer, pasta, main course and dessert, and always left the place satisfied. The service is good and friendly, patiently explaining you the special menu, which unfortunately is available in Japanese only. The regular menu is bilingual Italian / Japanese. The wine list boasts an adequate selection of Italian wines.

No English spoken.

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

HOW TO GET THERE: If you come from Ashiya, go through the tunnel and turn left into the small street just before the traffic light. Go straight. I Venticelli is on the corner of the 5th street to the right, just before you come to Hill Side Lane on the left hand side.

Ristorante Trenta (Italian)

Vintage Shukugawa Bldg 2F 5-44 Kasumi-cho, Nishinomiya/0798-22-5111/11:30
～14:00(L.O)18:00～22:00(L.O)/7000/4 pickles

(Sorry, this restaurant was closed down in Jan 2004)
Ciao Trenta.

We want back to confirm our impressions of Trenta. As before, it appears to have potential. It is a casual but stylish room with a big open kitchen, retro euro-pop tunes create a festive atmosphere, there is a nice view of Shukugawa's rococo church spires, and prima piatti like the capellini with octopus are undeniably delicious - all of which make Trenta's failure more tragic and infuriating. Ok, it was bad luck that I was seated in front of the flash-freezing airconditioner - I can forgive that. But the staff seemed flustered by and improvised in response to our most basic requests, such as for bread. We even had to rummage through their fridge because the wine list was in transition. When, finally, they brought me chicken instead of the duck I'd ordered, and it was rubbery, my good-will was exhausted. Maybe if they'd tried to make good at that point with a beg-your-pardon grappa, they could have turned it around; but instead we were slapped in the face by being made to wait for our check. I couldn't wait to leave. It is unhealthy to suppress feelings of frustration such as these. I vowed retribution, and here it is: service 2, food 5, ambience 6 pickles.

No English menu available. No English speaking staff.

HOW TO GET THERE: At the top of the hill near Hanku Shukugawa, on the third floor across the street from church.

Osteria Enoteca (Italian)

Lapport 2F, 6-5 Koshiki-Iwa-cho, Nishinomiya/0798-73-3808/11:30-14:00(LO)17:30-21:30 (LO)/Closed on Wed(Holidays open)/Yen15000-30000/6 pickles

Italian haut cuisine boasting the biggest Italian wine selection in West Japan.

(Revised 2004.05.05) At a time when overly casual and Japanized Italian restaurants are mushrooming, attempts at "ristorante" level cuisine are always welcome. Despite a rugged Italian country decor, Osteria Enoteca promises an experience worthy of its reputation as one of the top Italian restaurants in Kansai - but does it deliver? The chef is a well-known and very capable sommlier. He'll also makes fresh pasta right in front of you, but on a busy night you might prefer he stay in the understaffed kitchen. Table service is not very professional either, but maybe that's what keeps Enoteca from seeming stuffy. But the big down side is that it is quite costly. Though some consider Enoteca the pinnacle of Italian cuisine, others feel it is highly overrated. As for us, well the truth is we had a respectable dinner there several years ago but honestly haven't been motivated to return. For this kind of money we expect extravagant ambience, prime service, and really spectacular food. Nevertheless, for those with pockets deep enough to explore it, the cave seems awe-inspiring.

Food: 7.5 Service 5.5 Ambience: 6 Total: 6 pickels

HOW TO GET THERE: 2nd floor of the 2nd building towards Kurakuen from Kurakuen Ikari Supermarket - next to the flower shop.

Il Passo (Italian)

Quarter Barrel 2F, 11-11 Kizuyama-cho, Nishinomiya/17:00～26:00(25:30(L.O))/
0798-71-5572/Closed on Wed/JPY5000-10000/7 pickles

Il Passo is one of our favorites, a tiny Italian grill with only about 10 counter seats in Shukugawa/Kurakuen.

(Very unfortunately, this restaurant will be closed by the end of March 2004 and re-open in Osaka in May 2004.)

Il Paso has none of the pretension or anxious ambition of a big restaurant. There are only refreshingly simple and expertly executed dishes served in a casual counter setting. This is the work of serious foodies, for serious foodies. At this tiny hole-in-the-wall, food preparation is a puppet show for which the counter has front-row seats. An arm's length away the chef hunches over a small charcoal grill and coaxes magic from fresh meat, fish, and vegetables - one dish at a time. It is time-consuming, but that's half the fun. The flavors here cross-fade from Lake Como to Lake Biwa, and can be delightfully original. Appetizers and pastas are never disappointing and the wine selection, though small, has obviously been compiled with the same concentrated passion as the ecstatically scribbled and nearly indecipherable chalkboard menu (if in doubt, try the lamb). The pleasure of an evening at Il Paso is almost illicit - like a lover's tryst - unless you have the bad luck to visit when boorish folk occupy the balance of the counter. Call ahead to be safe, and be prepared to order in Japanese. Chosen as one of most favorites by Zagat.
Food: 7 Service 7 Ambience: 7 Total: 7 pickels

HOW TO GET THERE: From Hankyu Kurakuen, turn left at the second big crossing. There's a building on the left corner of the second traffic light. The restaurant is on its 2nd fl. Parking available.