01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
The bright aroma of lemon rising from a hot bowl of pasta is enough to sharpen any appetite. Just a short walk from Otsuka Station along the street, La Strada is an approachable Italian spot celebrated for its satisfyingly chewy fresh pasta. The shrimp and zucchini pasta in lemon sauce balances a creamy richness with citrus acidity, keeping the dish refreshing down to the last bite. Fresh pasta lunch orders include a small side salad, and complimentary upsizing to a large portion is a welcome touch.
The midday menu also covers classics like tomato-and-anchovy puttanesca or bolognese, as well as meat options like sautéed Mochibuta pork loin served with rice. The pork loin is cooked until tender, appreciated for how its straightforward seasoning highlights the sweet savor of the meat.
Come evening, the offerings expand considerably. Freshly baked pizzas take center stage, from the essential margherita to whitebait or mixed nuts with Gorgonzola. The kitchen also turns out an assortment of savory small plates, including chicken liver pâté served with baguette, chicken tenderloin and nagaimo yam confit, and mussels steamed in white wine.
Drinks range from wines by the glass and bottle to house-made sangria, limoncello, and mixed cocktails. Whether unwinding over wine and appetizers at the counter or sharing a spread of pasta and pizza with friends, it serves as a comfortable, unpretentious dining stop.
