レストラン プチトマト — Restaurant in Minamioguni

There are times when you make a stop to eat at some place and you enjoy it so much, even tho you know you'd never come this way again.

Petiti Tomato is one such place. (For me).

Run by 2 elderly, husband n wife team, they even put up small signs to remind patrons they are old and slow, so don't get impatient.

We ordered one set n one ala carte. A fried rice n a pasta set. Both were very nice, very homey. The pasta impressed us with its smooth linguine (or similar pasta). The cheese toppings were deliciously fragrant.

Ambience,.... but best of all, it was the surroundings. A nice patio upfront and a nice little courtyard at the back. Restaurant itself is rather big with a probable dining capacity of about 20. Tall ceilings, very woody, and spacious.

Prices were not cheap, they were on the high side. But for a rare gem like this, in the middle of total Japanese rural surroundings, to find an italian eatery is already unheard of.

Parking was also easy. Just right outside their premises. In fact, without a car, one can forget about coming here.

The wife attended n waited to customers. She tried to converse using the Google translate which limited the conversation. She was nice.

Will I...

Driving late at night desperately hungry, we followed a small warm light in the dark and stumbled upon this lovely family cooking excellent pasta and pizza.

They explained to us (in Japanese, very little English - just go with their recommendations!) that they use local produce and meat as well as eggs from their own hens (lots of veggies in the pasta which was also cooked with spinach). The set meal includes home baked cake using honey instead of sugar and no baking powder, among others yoghurt cake with home made yoghurt and raspberries.

As a bonus, we got travel tips and I got to pet their cute corgies.. :)

Truly a...

Best pasta I've had in japan. Super hospitable older couple who have a lot of pride in their 100% homemade food, much of which is from their own garden or local. It was an incredible experience and I hope I'm back in the area again....