Bellini Trattoria Ginza
Here you can peruse the Antipasto menu in an intimate setting, summon the waiter to order a crispy house Caesar salad followed by a generous portion of the Bengasine alle genovese (thick noodles in a homemade basil sauce) or the Involtini maiale con asparagi (tender pork wrapped around asparagus in a mustard sauce). Impress your date with your Berlitz-calibre mastery of Italian, but even if you speak this particular romance language, a few meals at the more "upscale Bellini" will have you speaking the lingo in no time. A casual raised finger brings a speedy dessert cart and an accommodating "Prego." Try the Crema Catalana, a pudding of brown sugar, egg, cream, milk and vanilla beans and your dinner companion will need written proof that he or she is not dreaming. The chef actually browns the pudding with a blow torch. Just be quick to snatch up the check when it comes - this snazzy Ginza restaurant does resemble the Roppongi locale in price, but your date never needs to find out. Nestled down at a table in this basement restaurant with a bottle of red wine, listening to the impassioned voice of Pavoratti on the stereo, you may even forget you're in Tokyo and start believing you're in Venice, Italy. But when it's time to leave the roseate subdued lighting, tiled floor, brick ceiling, and bottled chili peppers on the wall for the warm spring night beyond. Don't hail a gondola; cabs are a lot quicker. Open: 11:30am-11pm daily. Lunch last order at 3pm, dinner service from 5:30pm. 3-5-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku (Exit A9 at Ginza station) | ||
|
| |
|
|
|