Dessert from Pisola near Yokota Air Base, Japan, iincluded a rich tiramisu, a mascarpone pudding that came with a side of fruit and vanilla ice cream and a new addition, strawberry parfait. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
A stylish restaurant that opened recently near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo promises to revive your appreciation for Italian cuisine.
Pisola opened in early March in Fussa but is part of a chain of locations throughout the country.
As a dine-in or take-out spot for pasta, pizza and risotto, among other delectable choices, it combines a relaxing Bali-resort ambience with outstanding food.
The brick-oven quattro formaggi pizza from Pisola near Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Part of Pisola’s appeal is that it strives to keep preservatives, chemical seasonings and artificial flavors out of its food.
The Fussa restaurant has seating for more than 180 people.
My family beat the evening dinner rush to the spacious restaurant and was promptly seated in a very comfortable, wood-framed sofa. Curtained booths are also available for a more private dining experience.
A set menu with a la carte options provides a confusing array of choices but also leaves plenty for future visits.
Fried gnocchi with a side of maple syrup from Pisola in Fussa, Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
We ordered several options from the a la carte menu, including dessert. The brick-oven quattro formaggi, a medium-sized pizza with mozzarella, Gorgonzola, mascarpone and Grana Padano, is a good choice for cheese lovers. It came with a side of honey to drizzle on it and was 1,648 yen, or about $10.65, with tax.
My wife and I shared a tasty pile of sweet potato fries with maple syrup for dipping. A large, fresh mixed-green salad was a welcome addition to her two succulent pieces of fried chicken that were cooked to crispy perfection and free of messy grease.
A finely sliced, chargrilled prime beef with a side of puréed potatoes from Pisola in Fussa, Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
A finely sliced, chargrilled prime beef with a side of puréed potatoes was prepared well done to my son’s liking. Grilled lamb and roasted pork are other options.
We also sampled the fried gnocchi; the added maple syrup gave it a taste like a pancake.
We capped off our big meal with dessert that included a rich tiramisu, a mascarpone pudding that came with a side of fruit and vanilla ice cream and a new addition, strawberry parfait.
Pisola
Location: 36 Honcho, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0022
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to midnight with last orders at 11 p.m.; lunch sets available 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices: Varies anywhere from 1,000 yen to 4,000 yen; a la carte, all-you-can-eat and drink options also available.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A 5-minute drive from the main gate at Yokota Air Base. Parking is available.
Information: Phone: 042-513-3340; Online: pisola.jp. Takeout is available, and credit cards accepted.
