Chef and Italophile Daisuke Yamane has a thing for a particular bridge that spans the Arno River in Florence: the Ponte Vecchio. While the famous Italian bridge may or may not ring a bell, you'll more than likely recognize it from a photo: a centuries old whimsical multi-story bridge with houses and shops built into it. The bridge also has a starring role in the 1986 film "A Room with a View," occupying much of the aforementioned view.
Yamane is an Osaka native who has been awarded a cavaliere (knighthood) by the Italian government for his work in promoting the culture of Italy — especially its food — in Japan. His culinary company takes its name from the Florentine bridge and he's bequeathed the name to each one of his upscale restaurants dotted across Osaka.
Echi Ponte Vecchio a Osaka, to give it its full mouthful of a name, opened with the renewal of Osaka Station back in 2011. At its core, it's a pizza and pasta restaurant, but your local, cozy pizzeria it is not. Located on the 10th floor of Osaka Station, it looks down on, and out over, the city.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.