Baby Crosta — Restaurant in Niseko

Fear and Loathing at Baby Crosta

Somewhere in the swirling chaos of human civilization, amidst the unchecked horrors of mediocrity and frozen grocery-aisle despair, there exists a place—a temple, a beacon, a greasy holy land—where the pizza is not just good, but cosmically, earth-shatteringly magnificent. That place is Baby Crosta.

I had heard whispers. Deranged, love-drunk fanatics mumbling about the perfect crust, the sauce that could make a grown man weep, the kind of cheese pull that defies the laws of physics. I thought it was myth, the delusions of a populace beaten down by decades of soggy cardboard imitations. But I had to see. I had to know.

I pushed through the doors, and sweet Lucifer’s pajamas, the aroma hit me like a riot of angels high on nitrous. Yeast, fire, bubbling cheese, and something else—something feral, untamed. It smelled like passion, like danger, like the fever dreams of a pizzaiolo who sold his soul for the secrets of the crust. The joint was alive, humming, throbbing like the control room of a spaceship hurling straight into the sun.

The cashier locked eyes with me. “Pepperoni?” he asked, like a high priest offering sacrament.

“Yes,” I choked out. “God, yes.”

Then, the ritual began.

The dough was slapped, spun, caressed with an almost erotic reverence. The sauce—a blood-red elixir of the heavens—was ladled on in precise, sensual swirls. The cheese? Oh, the cheese. A bubbling, molten masterpiece stretching into eternity. The pepperoni landed with the confidence of a rock star diving into a crowd—perfect little cups, ready to fill with golden, glorious grease.

I could hear the low, omnipotent roar of the oven—a beast of fire, a dragon breathing heat, baptizing my pie in its furious embrace. Time became meaningless. Planets could have formed and collapsed in the minutes I waited. And then—there it was.

I took a bite and immediately left my body.

The crust? A textural hallucination. A perfect interplay of crunch, chew, and a subtle char that whispered of untamed woodfires and ancient secrets. The sauce sang like a choir of rogue opera singers—bright, acidic, perfectly balanced, the Platonic ideal of tomato essence. And the cheese? Jesus, take the wheel. A molten, creamy, umami-packed marvel that coated my mouth in pure ecstasy. The pepperoni glistened, its edges crisp, its pools of grease like tiny, shimmering lakes of culinary debauchery.

I could hear my own heartbeat. A man at the next table was openly weeping. Someone in the back spoke in tongues. I saw colors that have no name.

I devoured it like a starving jackal and immediately considered ordering another. But I knew if I did, I might never leave. I might become one of them—the Baby Crosta faithful, forever chasing that first high.

As I staggered out into the night, drunk on carbs, delirious with joy, I turned back for one last look. The neon sign flickered, crackling against the dark, and I could have sworn I heard it whisper:

“You’ll be back.”

Damn...

I had a good time at Baby Crosta, good drinks and great food… but, prices are maddening ridiculous.

I arrived for happy hour (at 5:10pm, 2 for 1 cocktails) intending to go here for dinner.

While I waited for my husband I decided to get a “sneaky pre-dinner slice” of the meat pizza. I tapped my phone without really thinking about the price I’m being paid, but as I went to sit down I thought to myself “did I just pay AUD$32 for a 3cmx4cmx2cm slice (or as I would call it, “chunk”) of pizza… surely they charged me for 2 drinks instead of 2 for 1. Nope, checked the price for the “chunk” and it’s seriously ¥2,500!

The dough was delicious, crisp, and fluffy - just as the website describes - and the toppings were reasonable. Needs saltier BbQ sauce (like in Australia or the US).

I get it’s expensive on mountain (been paying these prices for over a decade now in Japan, Aus, Canada, UsA - I’m leaving out europe from the culprit list because France, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, tends to have some places that seem to take less of the piss with food prices and portions, and Mount Hood, Oregon is also amazing for price and portions).

But mate, the price is a joke, even for on-mountain. finding out it was a chain (maybe owner owned rather than franchise) made it seem even more stupid to charge what they do because they obviously haven’t figured out economies of scale to price appropriately.

There’s an amazing pizza place in Hirafu (wood fired too) that charges the same for an entire delicious pizza.

That being said, the venue was super chill, good decor and lighting, staff friendly, and it wasn’t busy (nothing in Niseko-Yo is that busy, they need a hotel up there to drag foot traffic between the Hilton and whatever hotel ends up being in Niseko-Yo).

I then ended up having a few more drinks, and a few more slices, and spent over ¥10,000 - and I we were still hungry so I went to eat at the Tonkatsu place nearby.

If you have heaps of cash to burn, eat here. I’d like me you have cash but not enough to burn, come here for happy hour and maybe eat a slice, but it’s only an appetiser (think of it as a tiny bowl of nuts)

Guys, figure out your pricing, I won’t be back unless you do, and I think you’ll turn a lot of people off. If you pay too much in rent and “need” to charge these exorbitant prices, maybe move to Kutchan, or anywhere else you can bring your prices down to...

A Slice Above the Rest! Walking into Baby Crosta for the first time felt like uncovering a hidden jewel in Niseko-yo. The ambiance immediately set the stage for what was to become an unforgettable dining experience. Each slice of pizza served was a masterpiece of flavors, perfectly balanced and utterly delicious. Their famous pizzas, touted for good reason, lived up to every bit of the hype.

The crust was the perfect blend of crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, clearly made from dough that had been given time to develop its full potential. The toppings were fresh, vibrant, and generously layered, creating a symphony of tastes with every bite. From the classic to the more adventurous flavor combinations, each pizza was a revelation.

But it wasn't just the food that made our experience at Baby Crosta stand out. The service was exceptional, with staff who were not only friendly but genuinely enthusiastic about their offerings. Their recommendations were spot-on, guiding us through a culinary experience we'll not soon forget.

In a world where genuine, quality dining experiences are treasured, Baby Crosta shines brightly. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of their establishment, from the ambiance to the impeccable service, and most importantly, their extraordinary pizzas. A must-visit for anyone in Niseko-yo looking for an epicurean delight. Baby Crosta is not just a restaurant; it's a...