Ostu in Yoyogi (オストゥ 代々木公園)
Ostu, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant located just across from Yoyogi Park on the Hachiman side, knows a thing or two about customer relationship management. We had thoroughly enjoyed their very reasonably priced course menu two years ago, but for one reason or another (chalk it up to being spoiled for dining options in Tokyo), hadn’t been back since. However, after receiving an email from Ostu outlining a campaign including 10% off the price of the meal AND a free glass of Franciacorta sparkling wine, we made a reservation right away. Nice CRM indeed.
It was a great strategy on Ostu’s part, as they have seriously stepped up their game in the past two years. Not that our first experience was negative (it was anything but), but this evening’s offerings seemed to tell us, “Look what you’ve been missing since you’ve been gone.” To sweeten the deal even more, they were offering a supplement of white truffles at 2000 yen per 3 grams. White truffles are only available for a month or two, so we obliged for 9 grams shaved over two dishes.
Hearty portions, simple, yet expertly prepared dishes that let the ingredients shine, delicious wines, perfectly attentive service, and extremely reasonable prices all make Ostu one of Tokyo’s best Italian options. Given the deal mentioned above, we were able to fully enjoy everything Ostu has to offer and get out of there for well under 30,000 yen for the two of us. It felt like we had found a real bargain.
Let’s eat Ostu!
The first of two dishes featuring the prized white truffles- a simple scrambled egg with plenty of butter.
Insalata di Autunno (Autumn salad) – Rabbit meat slowly cooked at 140 degrees C, autumn “grey” truffle, endive, fig, raising, and balsamic vinegar.
Porcini pie with brown butter sauce. The crust was so light and flaky, the dish like a luxurious lasagna. Delightful.
Bavettine pasta with crab and spicy tomato sauce. It was so easy to pull all the crab meat out from the leg in one juicy piece. I loved it.
Pumpkin and potato gnocchi with prosciutto ham crumbs in a cream and Italian cheese sauce. The gnocchi were so soft. Hearty and delicious.
The second white truffle dish- a very simple butter sauce pasta. This came covered, and when the waiter lifted the lid, a deep, rich scent of the truffle wafted over the table. So nice.
Rack of Icelandic lamb flavored with thyme, vinegar, the meat’s natural juices, and the charcoal grill.
Usually one must pick between dessert and cheese. For 1000 yen extra, we got both. L to R – garganzola, a hard sheep’s milk cheese, and a soft cow cheese, served with a fig crostini and a loquat flower jam.
A crepe made of chestnut powder with a vanilla gelato, hazelnut and chocolate creme, and candied figs. DIVINE!
Petit fours with coffee/tea. A corn cookie, a hozuki cherry dipped in chocolate, and fresh cream meringue. A sweet, fantastic finish.
Let's Eat Tokyo 