Salute

A short distance from Kasai Station, Taverna e Pizzeria Salute draws the eye with its range of pizzas, carefully baked in a pizza oven. Alongside the classic Margherita, the signature Pizza Salute brings together Margherita, four-cheese, shirasu and leaf chili, and Genovese flavours on a single crust, making it possible to sample several distinct tastes at once. The selection ranges from pizzas that showcase the fresh taste of tomato sauce to cheese-based versions built on mozzarella, where the toppings bring added depth, making it easy to choose according to your mood.

Pasta and risotto are substantial counterparts to the pizzas. The carbonara made with house-cured pancetta stands out for its richness, drawing on the flavour of egg and cheese rather than relying on cream. Other dishes let their ingredients speak clearly: risotto with Italian Parmigiano, where the cheese comes through directly, and an oil-based pasta with sardines from Choshi.

Antipasti and fried dishes round out the meal. Fried pizza dough incorporating green laver from Lake Hamana, and semolina-fried small shrimp and koyari squid, make fitting companions to wine or beer. Meat dishes include Kamui pork shoulder loin and grilled Iwate short-horn beef. With red and white wines from across Italy and beers such as Moretti, there are plenty of ways to shape a leisurely meal.

For dessert, there is smooth homemade panna cotta or tiramisu with a pleasant bittersweet edge, followed by espresso for a gentle finish. The dining room is relaxed without being formal, making this neighbourhood Italian restaurant a comfortable fit for an easy lunch, an evening with a group or a meal on your own.