After a walk in the park, we took a short stroll towards the residential side of the district looking for a tiny neighborhood Italian bistro called Ostü. The unassuming entrance might surprise a lot of first-timers but the small bistro does have a fairly big reputation, including blessing from the Michelin Guide (1-star).
Ostü, coming from the Piedmontese dialect, means osteria which often refers to a simple and inexpensive Italian restaurant. Owner-chef Masato Miyane (seen inside the open kitchen in the photo below) spent 6 years in Piedmont, a fertile agricultural region in Italy known for its cereals, rice and wine where he honed his cooking techniques of the Piedmont cuisine.
The menu at Ostü is unique with a Piedmontese twist. Agnolotti piemontesi, similar to ravioli, is a very popular choice here and so is Chef Miyane's signature slow roasted pork.
The atmosphere inside the dining room is also unique in the sense that it feels like visiting a friend's house in Piedmont. Very warm and cozy.
Ostü's set dinner (¥7,000) is one of the best deals around here but in case you prefer a lighter fare, then you should check out their a la carte menu like we did.
The a la carte menu turned out to be full of hidden gems. Tajarin, the Piedmontese take on spaghettini, was freshly made daily and Chef Miyane simply tossed them with homemade sausage and chopped vegetables. That was lovely (6.5/10).
Maltagliati (means “badly cut” in Italian), a type of random-shaped pasta was served with a beef ragout sauce and parmigiano. If you like flavorful pastas, this one is for you (7.5/10)!
For main course, I had the roasted Challans duck on a bed of leeks served with wild grape sauce and it was another marvelous dish. Simple and well executed (7/10).
Ostü serves a simple and hearty Italian fare with a Piedmontese take. If you happen to be coming at the right time, there's also a private view of sakura directly from the front window too. Just make sure that you ask for the front row seats when you call.
Food Rating: 7/10
Price: ¥¥¥
Address: 5-67-6 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Closest Metro Station: Yoyogi-Koen
Tel: +81 3-3284-0020
Website: www.ostu.jp
Japan, Tokyo, Michelin star, Italian, osteria, Piedmontese, restaurant, Yoyogi
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