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Despite Italy being a remarkably diverse country when it comes to cuisine, opportunities to sample its more distinctive regional specialities beyond the usual staples are relatively rare in Tokyo. That’s where Le Pristine Tokyo comes in. Located within Hotel Toranomon Hills, the esteemed restaurant is the Tokyo outpost of the Michelin-starred Le Pristine in Antwerp, helmed by acclaimed chef-restaurateur Sergio Herman.
From March, the restaurant has launched its ‘Italian Regions’ series, celebrating the country’s diverse culinary landscape. Each instalment invites diners to ‘travel’ across Italy via a menu spotlighting different regions, reinterpreted with Chef Herman’s signature touch, seasonal Japanese ingredients and subtle nods to his hometown of Zeeland.
For March and April, the series spotlights Lazio and Abruzzo, two central Italian regions home to major destinations such as Rome and the Tyrrhenian coast. Known for ingredients like sheep’s milk cheeses, cured pork, artichokes and lamb, these regions provide the foundation for Le Pristine Tokyo’s six-course dinner menu.
Highlights from the menu include Carciofi Alla Romana, a tender artichoke served with ricotta cream, mint and bottarga (dried mullet roe) from Nagasaki.
There’s also Sergio’s Carbonara, a refined twist on the classic pasta, featuring squid woven through the noodles, guanciale, and a delicate squid foam infused with kuruma ebi essence.
Also on the menu is the Japanese Akaushi beef – a Le Pristine Tokyo classic reimagined with a regional twist – served with pickled radicchio, anchovy and spinach, alongside a side of crispy polenta.
The meal concludes with a refreshing citrus-forward dessert of candied Shikoku lemons paired with ricotta, almond, acacia honey and basil.
To enhance the experience, guests can opt for a curated wine pairing by executive sommelier Satoru Mori, who has selected a diverse range of wines to complement each dish.
Following Lazio and Abruzzo, May and June will spotlight Toscana and Liguria. July, August and September will highlight Sicilia, Sardegna and Puglia, while October and November focus on Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige. The series concludes in January and February next year with Piemonte and Lombardia.
The inaugural leg of the Italian Regions series runs until April 30 and costs ¥18,700 per person (wine pairing ¥8,800). Reservations can be made online.
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