Bramasole

Bramasole, located between the trendy Gaienmae and Harajuku districts, has carved out a little niche for itself as a casual yet stylish Italian restaurant. But what makes this dining experience even more special is its intimate feel. Fresh flowers decorate the simple interior. Its social media feeds are full of pictures of the staff that call to mind family photos, from new members to “graduates” who have moved on to pursue further dreams. From its food to its service, simplicity and care run through every vein of Bramasole. Featuring hand-molded pasta in unique shapes, Bramasole takes care to provide authentic pasta courses. The ingredients and sauces are chosen specifically to suit each other, with particular attention paid to mouthfeel and how well the sauce adheres to each piece of pasta. Some of the more unorthodox dishes turn out to be some of the most popular, such as the chicken heart, liver, comb and breast ragu with cannelli pasta. Regular visitors to Bramasole aren’t just after the pasta, though: the restaurant’s espresso is one of the very few outside Italy that have been certified as authentically Italian by the Istituto Espresso Italiano, the national espresso authority in Italy. Paired with the in-house sweets — the chocolate fondant is a crowd favorite — it makes for a winning combination that makes regulars out of first-timers.