Tabelog ratingEnoteca La Ricolma (エノテカ・ラ・リコルマ) is a destination restaurant in Hakodate, run by a husband-and-wife team in a quiet residential area. With just four seats and serving only one or two parties per night, it offers a uniquely personal and unhurried dining experience. The single omakase menu, which can last over three hours, showcases the chef's precise control of temperature and fire to transform Hokkaido's finest ingredients into Italian masterpieces.
Guests consistently praise the kitchen's signature dishes. The large Ezo abalone is a recurring highlight, as are the cold pastas, often featuring uni (sea urchin) or crab on house-made chitarra. Other standouts include a tuna 'cotoletta' and roasts of local Ōguni beef or black wagyu. The experience is elevated by the warm, attentive service of the chef's wife, who acts as sommelier, guiding guests through a deep, Japan-forward wine list. Many reviewers, including international visitors, state the restaurant is worth a special trip to Hakodate.
While overwhelmingly positive, reviews note some practicalities. The restaurant's exclusivity makes it very difficult to book, and the single-seating, slow-paced meal is a commitment of over three hours. The wine list is excellent but leans towards full bottles, so those preferring wine by the glass should inquire about options. The final bill reflects the quality; reviewers in 2024-2026 paid around ¥18,700 for the omakase course, with wine adding anywhere from ¥10,000 for two people to over ¥20,000 per person for rarer bottles.
- Booking: Reservations are essential and must be made well in advance, often weeks or months. The restaurant is not suitable for walk-ins.
- Getting There: Located in a residential suburb of Hakodate, a taxi or car is recommended. Parking is available.
- Payment: Credit cards (JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Seating: There are just 4 counter seats.
- Children: Please inquire with the restaurant when booking if you wish to bring children.
- Service: A service charge may be added to the bill. The staff use translation apps to communicate with non-Japanese speakers.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
