Japanese inspired Italian cuisine sai: Italian Courses, Japanese Technique

Japanese inspired Italian cuisine sai (日本のイタリア料理店 sai) has served set Italian menus since 2020. It cooks Aichi and Mie produce with Japanese technique. Hamo (pike conger) is seared skin-side over charcoal in the yakishimo manner. Ayu goes into a risotto made with stock from its own bones, and sirloin is served shabu-shabu style. It won a Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze.

A fixture since opening is a one-bite truffle gelato on a Shimizu Farm cheese tart, and most reviewers call it the best thing on the menu. They also praise the ayu pasta or risotto, the aori-ika (bigfin squid) genovese and a bread box with tomato focaccia, which is refilled on request. The menu changes monthly and includes both risotto and pasta. Diners like the counter facing the open kitchen and the warm welcome from the chef and his team.

The main criticism is pacing, with meals running 2.5 to 3 hours. One 2023 lunch overran, and the meat arrived lukewarm and some orders were forgotten. A 2026 diner found the sommelier's wine explanations rushed. Another felt the pairing did not lift the food, and some find the room too dark.

From 2024 to 2026, reviewers paid around ¥11,000 for the lunch course and ¥17,600 for dinner, both plus 10% service. A seven-glass lunch wine pairing started at about ¥8,500. Wine by the glass cost around ¥2,000 and a rose kombucha ¥1,300. Typical spend is ¥10,000–14,999 at lunch and ¥20,000–29,999 at dinner. Reviewers call lunch remarkably good value for ten or more generous courses.

• Getting there: 5 minutes' walk (450 m) from Tsurumai Station on the Tsurumai Line. No parking.
• Booking: reservation only, so walk-ins are not possible. Book via Tablecheck or by phone (050-5457-0734); parties of 7 or more must phone. Plan weeks ahead. Arriving more than 30 minutes late without notice cancels the booking. Changing the number of guests costs 50% of the fee within 36 hours and 100% within 12 hours.
• Children: only children who can eat the full course are admitted. Preschool children are accepted only with a private booking for six or more adults, arranged in advance.
• Timing: all guests start together, lunch at 12:00 and dinner at 18:30. Dinner is served on Tuesdays only. Allow up to 3 hours.
• Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and Diners are accepted. Electronic money and QR payments are not. A 10% service charge is added.
• Seating: 14 seats: 4 at the counter, two tables for two and a private room for six. The private room costs ¥1,100 extra per person for parties of two or fewer. The restaurant is non-smoking and wheelchair accessible.
• Drinks and diets: a sommelier is on site and a non-alcoholic pairing is available. BYO costs ¥5,000 per 750 ml bottle. Pregnancy and shellfish allergies were accommodated when notified in advance.
• Language: an English menu is offered, but dish explanations are given in Japanese.