Foodspotting

The Real Deal

Tucked away in a quiet little corner of the neighborhood is La Lanterna di Genova. This Italian restaurant’s warm and inviting ambience is perfect for a romantic dinner, or a nice relaxing evening with a few friends. Each dish is carefully prepared to perfection by Italian owner-chef Silvia using marketfresh ingredients. You’ll find select Italian wines on the list, some at pretty intimidating prices, but their house wine also pairs well with the dishes on the menu and can be ordered by the glass, half-liter, or bottle. Main dishes include such delicacies as roasted duck, ostrich steak, and seasonal fish wrapped in baking paper and cooked with mini tomatoes, olives, pine nuts and a white wine sauce. You’d also be wise to try the pasta Genovese made with fresh aromatic basil, or gnocchi in a rich gorgonzola cheese sauce.

La Lanterna di Genova

Open: Tues–Sun, Lunch: 11:30am–2pm; Dinner: 5:30pm–11pm • Price Range: Lunch ¥1,500; Dinner ¥4,000–¥5,000 • lalanterna.web.fc2.com • Access: Subway Tanimachi Line, Nakazakicho Stn; 2-min walk from Exit 2

A Vegetable Paradise

Just off of the Nakazaki Shotengai is Aju, a small place specializing in organic and all-vegetarian dishes. Their bento lunches are a great deal and will surely fill you up. For just ¥600 you can get a Japanese-style veggie burger and sides of fried koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu) and stir-fried vegetables with rice. For dinner there’s a wide variety of vegetarian izakaya-style dishes like soy-meat yakitori, fried avocado, and vegan-cheese pizza. Vegetarians can rest assured that no meat, fish, eggs, or milk is used at all in the dishes served here. For those who enjoy cooking at home, there’s also a selection of vegetarian and organic ingredients and seasonings like organic miso soup, dehydrated soy meat, or vegan mayonnaise. Aju is a healthy treat for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

Aju

Open: Lunch: Tues–Fri 12pm–5pm (bento lunches until 2:30pm, cafe time until 5pm); Dinner: Tues–Sun 6pm–12 midnight • Price Range: Lunch ¥600–¥700; Dinner ¥2,000–¥3,000 • a-ju.org • Access: Subway Tanimachi Line, Nakazakicho Stn; 3-min walk from Exit 1

Taking it Slow

For a cozy place to kick back and relax, head over to Subako, a small café bar just around the corner from the station. However hungry you are, you’re sure to find exactly what you want, from simple snacks like cheese and crackers or edamame, to full meals like their original curry or the one-plate special of the day. Subako’s charming atmosphere makes it feel less like a restaurant and more like a friendly neighbor’s house, complete with classic Japanese lighting and furniture that looks like it might have come from your grandmother’s basement. The low coffee tables are especially suited for chatting with friends over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The sweets menu changes regularly, but if available, go for the orange cheesecake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with a small slice of candied orange.

Subako

Open: Mon–Fri, 6pm–2am; Sat, Sun, Holidays, 12pm–2am • Price Range: ¥1,000–¥2,000 • facebook.com/subako1 • Access: Subway Tanimachi Line, Nakazakicho Stn; 2-min walk from Exit 2