Snaring a reservation at a top-end Tokyo restaurant is hard enough at the best of times. Now, with the yearend celebrations in full flow, it's nigh on impossible. But even if you haven't booked that special dinner yet, there could still be a glimmer of hope. You can always try your luck at Casa Vinitalia in Azabu-Juban.
It doesn't boast Michelin stars or instant name-brand recognition. But that is clearly of no concern to local gourmets, since Casa Vinitalia currently enjoys stellar ratings on the most influential Japanese-language customer-generated restaurant Web rankings.
In large part, that's because it looks classy but feels relaxed. The food is fine but affordable — for special occasions, at least. The service is friendly yet professional. And it boasts a superb cellar of wines (Italian, obviously) drawn from the considerable stocks of its very own wine store on the ground floor.
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