Some restaurants draw you in with their food. Others with their atmosphere. And then there’s Chianti in Sasazuka, which does both effortlessly—with an added touch of magic. From the moment you step inside, the soundtrack sets the mood. Connie Francis’ Second Hand Love, The Dixie Cups’ Chapel of Love, and Eddie Cochran’s 20 Flight Rock hum through the speakers, the kind of playlist that transports you to another time. It feels like stumbling into a family-run trattoria on a quiet Italian street, where locals sip wine at their favorite table and life moves at its own, leisurely pace.
Flavors to Remember
At first glance, the salad dressing looks unassuming, poured from a bottle shaped like a genie’s lamp. But one taste, and it’s clear why people line up just to take a bottle home. The pasta? Unforgettable. A simple yet perfect dish—garlic-laced with fresh Hokkaido clams, the kind of meal that makes you slurp up every last drop of sauce until the plate is wiped clean. The steak? Impossibly tender. It melts like velvet, making a knife feel almost unnecessary.
And then there’s the balsamic—thick, gelatin-like, utterly addictive, the kind of thing you didn’t know you needed more of until you’ve had it once. Even the fries, golden and crisp, evoke memories of lazy afternoons in the Mediterranean—a side dish that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over.
Brick Oven Mastery
A brick oven sits proudly in the kitchen, turning out beautifully blistered pizzas that fill the air with the scent of fire-kissed dough and bubbling cheese.
A Retro Hideaway
The décor leans effortlessly retro, with deep sofas and chairs that make you want to settle in for hours. An old pink rotary phone rests in front of a wine fridge stocked well enough to make royalty envious.
Hospitality with Heart
Beyond the food and setting, what truly makes Chianti special is its people. The staff wear their smiles like an extension of the restaurant’s warmth, and the hostess—one of the most personable I’ve encountered in Japan—has a way of making you feel like an old friend from the moment you walk through the door.
She jokes with guests, keeping the energy light and familiar, a reminder that a great restaurant isn’t just about what’s on the plate but who brings it to you.
The Bathroom Surprise
And then there’s the bathroom. Without giving too much away, it might be one of the most entertaining I’ve ever come across. You won’t want to leave until the song playing inside is finished—a small but telling testament to the thoughtfulness poured into every detail of this place.
Why Go to Ginza When Sasazuka Has This?
There’s no need to venture into Shinjuku or Ginza for great Italian when a gem like this sits quietly in Sasazuka.
Whether for a gourmet-loving date or a relaxed weekend indulgence, Chianti delivers. The weekend lunch set, which includes salad, coffee, and dessert, is the kind of deal that feels like a secret among those in the know.
And then there’s the tiramisu. The kind of dessert that makes you pause after the first bite, rich yet impossibly light, the perfect balance of espresso, mascarpone, and cocoa. If I had let my instincts take over, I would have ordered two without hesitation. It was a close call.
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