Cignale ENOTECA

Truly a gem hidden in plain sight, this Japanese-fused Italian restaurant can be found on a street on the outskirts of Shibuya. Cignale ENOTECA presents Italian cuisine with a dash of Japanese essence in terms of seasoning and attention to detail. The antique-decorated interior brings about more of a warm home-like feel than a fancy restaurant ambiance. The vintage American wood counters surprisingly go well with the Japanese stucco walls. Truly, the atmosphere of it all reflects what is served here. Colors take over the course menu. The variety of ingredients used in the dishes are just as delicious on their own, but chef Tomori will squeeze a bit of citrus here and a dash of vinegar there to elevate the flavors even more. The first dish is the epitome of what this Cignale ENOTECA stands for — the carpaccio dish is presented with chutoro sashimi on top of a wasabi leaf, complete with anonori green laver in a red wine vinegar marinade. With seafood directly from ports, vegetables from Aoyama Farmers Market and directly imported ingredients from overseas that are not available in Japan just yet, only the best of dishes can come out of those. The ingredients used in each serving may vary depending on what is available each season, but expect a pasta dish that’s traditionally Italian with depths of umami. Cignale ENOTECA is a breath of fresh air, a refreshing change from the clean and refined feel that is abundant in a city full of top-level restaurants.