Via Quadronno, Harajuku ヴィア クアドローノ、原宿
Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 1:30PM | Dave Tokyo “boasts” two Via Quadronno restaurants, one in Harajuku (actually Jingumae) the other in Aoyama. There are others in New York, Miami, White Plains and Hong Kong. I’ve no idea what they are like, but hope they are better than the Harajuku iteration.
I rarely bother with “Western” restaurants, as I’m usually not prepared (read not able) to lash out tens of thousands of yen for a half way decent meal, and when it comes to the more affordable offerings, I tend to be disappointed, especially as the dull, minuscule dishes that pass for European cuisine here are something I could do better myself, at least when sober.
Anyway, back in the summer, while wandering the back streets of Harajuku/Jingumae, my dining partner for the day happened to notice a sign outside Via Quadronno stating that they had Guinness available. This sold her on the idea of lunch. The interior is nice enough. Lots of wine and spirits on display, and various Italian-looking knick-knacks scattered around. The open shop front was also rather pleasant given the heat over the summer. The Guinness wasn’t cold enough.
The menu was much as you’d expect. The food sounded okay, and prices were not ridiculous. Drinks were over priced, as expected, and the service could be improved. My dining partner and I were engrossed in conversation, and wanted to enjoy that and our drinks for a while before ordering, although the waiting staff clearly had other ideas.
Food wise, my dining partner had the lasagne, while I went for the penne with garlic and a thin, creamy sauce. There’s little to be said. Portions were laughably small, the pasta too soft, the garlic but a hint, and a weak one at that. The experience only served to remind me why I avoid this kind of place like the plague.
Considering that over the last few years we’ve been witnessing a steady increase in the availability of foreign ingredients, foods and wines in even the less salubrious supermarkets, hopefully the need for these overpriced, overrated and overstaffed “windows to the West” will come to an end.
Tel: 03-3486-0821
Reader Comments (2)
sorry, but an Italian restaurant that has a Guinness advertisement at the entrance door....
This was god's hint not to enter....
Agree... Alarm bells should have been ringing.