La Bisboccia, Italian – Hiroo

One of the finest Italian restaurants in Tokyo with an all Italian staff (this has now changed though the Italian barman remains). The food is authentic and favoured by many including the former Asia Pacific CEO for Lehman Brothers.  I was introduced to this restaurant after Lehman held a charity event here.  The food is excellent, atmosphere is warm and place is colourful.

The restaurant is located on the main road between Hiroo and Shirokane.  The restaurant space itself is large with a small bar, main dining space and a couple of large dining rooms for smokers at the back. There are signed posters/ photos along the walls from customers that have dined at the restaurant, including the Italian football team during the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup and various Japanese politicians, singers and actors.

The menu is extensive with a great selection of meat and vegetables and many varieties of home-made pasta. There is a pasta board which the waiter will display to help you decide when ordering as there are several types of pasta, some of which may not be so familiar.  There are also daily/ seasonal specials which your waiter will talk you through at your table (as there is no actual menu for these).  The risotto served in the wheel of a parmigiano cheese is excellent and I recommend if you like parmesan. Also the pasta con scampi (large prawns) in tomato and cream sauce is one of my favourite dishes. All the food is very very good, infact it is easy to over-order on the starters and pasta and then not have enough room for the main course, as the main Carni (meat) dish portions are large. There is an excellent selection of meat dishes from beef and pork to lamb and veal. An Antipasti (starter) and Primi Piatti (pasta) dish per person is probably too much if you are then expecting to eat a main course. I recommend sharing a Primi Piatti and going there hungry. 

Their wine list is extensive and features a range of wines from reasonable table wines to the more expensive Super Toscanas.

The ambience of the restaurant is warm and friendly, with the constant sound of chatter from everyone talking. It feels like you could be dining in Italy with the same vitality and colour of a local Italian restaurant.

Depending on what food and wine you order, the cost is approx JPY 20,000 per person for Antipasti, Primi Piatti (pasta/ risotto) and a main dish including wine and a glass of sparkling. Japanese, English and Italian menu available. 

Tel: 03-3449-1470
OPEN: PM 5:30 – PM 11:30 (LAST ORDER PM 10:30)
CLOSED: SUNDAY

Restaurant website with location and menu: http://www.labisboccia.com/en/index.html

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