Alto Tritone — Restaurant in Osaka

Found this restaurant when looking through food blogs — people raved about the pasta in this family owned restaurant. I messaged the restaurant through Facebook a month before we were in Japan, and they were happy to confirm our reservation. The restaurant is located in the Kita distract (newly relocated), and not very central to the tourists areas in Osaka, but we took a cab and upon our arrival, the server excitedly welcomed us into the restaurant as he had been at the window waiting for us. The restaurant is small, with only 5 or 6 tables, and is super cozy and warm. Chatting with our server, we learned that his father had trained and lived in Rome, Italy earlier in his life. His mom and him ran the front of house, while his father made and cooked all the fresh pastas. For one of our dishes, the server showed us a pasta board and explained that his father had designed it himself in order to create thinner strips of pasta. He then demonstrated and made our pasta table side, which was then used the most delicious squid ink cuttlefish pasta! We also ordered the egg carbonara, as well as the pesto pasta which was created with cute little stamps. We finished dinner with a chocolate ganache that was decadent without being too sweet. We absolutely loved our experience here, and loved seeing the heart and passion that is behind this family-run business. Would highly recommend this restaurant if you want a break from traditional Japanese cuisine, and opt for some authentic Italian pastas...

A Hidden Italian Gem in the Heart of Osaka: An Authentic Culinary Experience

As an Italian, I was curious about finding an authentic Italian restaurant in Japan. But this quaint, family-owned spot in Osaka completely exceeded my expectations. After two amazing weeks indulging in the wonders of Japanese cuisine, stumbling upon this gem was the perfect conclusion to our trip.

The attention to detail was impeccable. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance felt cozy and inviting, reminiscent of the small, charming trattorias back in Italy. The service -flawless. Our waiter not only provided excellent hospitality but also demonstrated the traditional Chitarra method, cutting fresh pasta right at our table. Watching this art in motion felt like a piece of Italy had followed us to Japan.

And the food… The pasta was perfectly al dente, with that unmistakable firmness that only skilled Italians can achieve. Every bite transported me back to my roots- the balance of flavors, the sauce consistency— the freshness of the tomatoes.

It was clear that the chef had the technical skills yet what struck me most was the kindness and passion behind each dish. The warmth we felt was a reflection of the hospitality we’d experienced throughout Japan, and it made us fall in love with the...

Great restaurant that meets and exceeds the hype. Definitely make reservations as the place is pretty small with a limited 3 person staff, consisting of the father (head chef), son (sous chef), and mom (waitress and hostess). The staff speak limited English but we didn't have any trouble ordering from the menu which is written in Japanese, English, and Italian. The menu also has pictures. Everything is homemade from scratch with the highest quality ingredients, and the fine craftsmanship, which of course the Japanese excel at, shines through in all the small details. Surprised this place isn't Michelin rated; its as good, if not better, than many of the 1-star (and 2-star) Italian restaurants I've dined at in the US and Europe. I saw a recent google reviewer (William Yang) who gave this place one-star without any comments. I can't imagine how he came to that conclusion as all of the reviews online are consistently positive, so I would scratch that to confusion, poor individual taste, or mental illness (likely all of the above). Additionally all of the other diners while I was there were also raving about the food and service. Would definitely come back here again!...