This Italian restaurant is ranked 2nd in Chiba Prefecture and 9th nationwide.I made a reservation online two months ago, and it was relatively easy to get a table.The nearest station is Matsuo Station, but I took a limited express train from Tokyo to Narutō Station and then took a taxi. The train frequency in that area is quite low, so be cautious about access when visiting.The restaurant is a beautiful standalone house with a waiting area at the entrance. As soon as I was seated, I was served a refreshing cold welcome tea that helped alleviate the summer heat. After placing my drink order, the full course began.The concept is "Chiba-produced, Chiba-consumed," essentially a farm-to-table experience unique to Chiba. Since I visited in summer, I was able to enjoy an abundance of local seafood, including abalone, eel, and oysters. The quality of the ingredients and the cooking methods were both exceptionally high, and everything was truly delicious.The homemade hams seemed to be a signature item, featuring unique meats like wild boar, venison, beef, and diamond pork. However, as I’m not very accustomed to eating ham, I may not have fully appreciated their uniqueness.The bread was delightful when served hot and freshly sliced, but it seemed to lose its appeal after sitting for a while.The beef was from the chuck rib section, which had some marbling but was very tender. However, another cut of meat felt a bit dry.The pasta was handmade using local flour, with thick noodles paired with a pesto sauce. It was excellently prepared, but personally, I might have preferred a seafood pasta with a more intense flavor that I had recently enjoyed.The overall structure of the course was very well thought out, but I personally wished there had been more pasta and risotto options.The non-alcoholic pairing mainly featured tea. Various teas from different regions were used, each with distinct flavors that harmonized well with the dishes, although I found the selection a bit monotonous except for the smoked tea served midway.The service was outstanding; they even contacted me the day before to confirm if I needed a taxi. They patiently and kindly answered all my questions. Additionally, a highlight of the experience was the "presentation of ingredients," where they show the main ingredients used in each dish before cooking.Considering the quality of the dishes served, the course price is not high at all. However, given the remote location, the cost of round-trip taxi fare might diminish the overall value.Perhaps due to this, I felt there was a bit too much emphasis on merchandise promotion. The simultaneous handling of food service, drink pairings, ingredient presentations, and souvenir suggestions created a somewhat hectic impression.In summary, this restaurant is undoubtedly worth visiting at least once, and I believe most people will find it "delicious" and satisfying. However, my honest feeling is that it is simply "too far away." By the way, after visiting this restaurant, I took the opportunity to reassess and organize my personal grading criteria for restaurants to make the differences in scores clearer.【Grading Criteria】5.0: A restaurant that stands at the pinnacle of its genre. A memorable experience that strongly encourages a return visit. (This is not an absolute comparison with other genres; for example, a 5.0 ramen may not necessarily be superior to a 4.9 sushi.)4.5 and above: An exceptionally good and unique restaurant within its genre. Worth the trip as alternatives are hard to find.4.0 and above: A restaurant with outstanding features and charm.3.5 and above: A standard level. No dissatisfaction with the taste.3.0 and above: A restaurant to visit only when there are no other options.*The ratings are entirely personal and based on my impressions during the meal. While primarily based on taste, factors such as very friendly service, attentive hospitality, a rare and reasonably priced selection of Japanese sake, and sophisticated decor are considered positive points.I am currently studying Japanese, so there may be some unnatural expressions or grammar. I appreciate your understanding if there are any difficult parts to read.
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