Al Dente Shinjuku Center Building — Restaurant in Tokyo

delicious pasta and truly al dente like the name of restaurant. I can’t stand overcooked pasta and this place does it well in consideration of the temperature of the dish and how the pasta will continue to cook when served. piping hot and it was comforting and warming for the cold weather. I got the fresh cream, pepper chili, and bolognese sauce spaghetti and the pea salad (it is served cold). polite and friendly service. no water pitcher for water refill (if you sit at counter in front of kitchen) nor they offered more water but of course you can ask like the customer next to me did. The place is a little cramp in terms of table spacing. Chairs outside for waiting. I would love to try other dishes. it is located in the Shinjuku Center Building on the B1 level. It isn’t on the first floor of the building.

I went back a second time and got the same pasta since it was so good. I got toasted bread to mop up the sauce...

If your’e foreign… don’t bother! Came here with a young “foreign” family. The chef was incredibly rude to our Japanese guide and it took our guide at least 10-15 mins for the chef to agree to let us in to his restaurant, demanding cash only, which wasn’t an issue. I have never felt so unwelcome in my life at a restaurant. Our guide refused to leave us at the restaurant explaining they wanted to make sure we got what we ordered before leaving, which I’m not sure if that was a polite way of making sure we would be ok on our own. In my opinion the chef at the time did not want foreigners coming into the restaurant. The food was good but couldn’t truly be enjoyed in such an unwelcoming environment. This was my first ever experience in Japan where I witnessed overt discrimination. It left an awful taste in my mouth and it wasn’t the food. I would put one star but the...

I used to go here when I lived in Tokyo a few years back, and since leaving Japan I've often found myself craving this place. As the name promises, the spaghetti is perfectly cooked - and don't just take my word for it - my very fussy Italian friend who almost never eats pasta outside of Italy recommended the place to me. Sauces very good too - I particularly like the tomato and mushroom sauce - with shimeji and shiitake. Always used to be popular with Alitalia staff during their layovers in Tokyo, another seal of approval from Italy. I believe the chefs have spent time in Italy learning their trade.

I revisited in March 2013 and was delighted to find it hasn't changed a bit, and my favourite dish was still every bit as delicious as I...