From September 29th to October 4th, Isetan Shinjuku will be holding an "Italian Exhibition" showcasing Italian cuisine, with the main venue being the event hall on the sixth floor of the main building. The store's online guide, "Isetan Guide" (see link below), features a manga by Mari Yamazaki, creator of the manga "Thermae Romae," set in ancient Rome, introducing the chefs attending the exhibition. The manga features two chef-owners: Yoji Tokuyoshi of Ristorante TOKUYOSHI, who has come to Japan from Italy for the exhibition, and Shigeru Iwatsubo of il Pregio, a one-star restaurant in the Michelin Guide Tokyo. The manga depicts a scene titled "The Story of Friendship Between Yoji and Yutaka, Transcending Time and Space."
In addition, Yamazaki Mari herself will provide a food review introducing the "Tokuyoshi x Il Pregio" special course (4,500 yen), a collaboration between Tokuyoshi and Iwatsubo. She describes her savoring dishes such as an antipasto featuring Sicilian ingredients presented in an eggplant container, al dente risotto, and a palette served with roast pork loin. At the actual Isetan venue, these dishes can be enjoyed in the eat-in corner (11am to 8pm each day, and until 7pm on the final day / last orders one hour before closing each day).
Roman-style pizzas sold by the slice will also be available at the venue. Gabriele Bonci, owner of Pizzarium, a restaurant in Rome that won the top award for Pizza Taglio (meaning "pizza shop that sells pizza by the slice") in the Gambero Rosso Italian Pizza Guide 2014, will be visiting Japan to collaborate with Keigo Shimaoka of Pizza ar taio, who previously studied under Bonci, to sell sliced pizzas (approximately 14cm x 7cm, starting from 735 yen including tax).
Ingredients that "aimise healthy beauty from the inside out" will also be introduced. The store offers a modern take on the Mediterranean diet, known for its health and beauty benefits. This includes a Pecorino cheese and honey set (limited to 50 sets, ¥2,500) made from pasture-raised sheep, fresh porcini mushrooms (¥1,100 per 100g) flown in directly from the source, and truffles sold by weight (market price). Other items on offer include Acquolina's two-cup gelato platter (¥651, tax included), available in over 10 flavors, featuring lime-flavored cream and cassis sauce, and Giacomo Santorelli's decaffeinated barley coffee (limited to 100 items, ¥1,000 for 200g), which offers the savory aroma of roasted barley. According to the store's buyer, Italian households keep several bottles of olive oil on hand to use different oils for different dishes. The venue will also have a selection of gentle olive oils, including the mild Colline di Marostica Leccino (6,500 yen), which matches delicate dishes such as salads and carpaccio, the medium Tutto Tonda Extra Virgin Olive Oil (4,800 yen), which is perfect for finishing pasta or drizzling on fresh cheese, and Agricola Bonfanti Extra Virgin Olive Oil (4,000 yen), which is said to go well with robust flavors such as grilled meat and aged cheese.
■Isetan Guide (Italian Week)
http://www.isetanguide.com/#next-week
