Sorrento

At lunch, the pasta of the day comes with salad. One reported special, Japanese pork pancetta and aubergine in tomato sauce, stood out for its al dente texture; another diner returned for tomato-sauce pasta with spring cabbage. The changing daily dish makes each visit a chance to discover something different.

At dinner, diners have enjoyed Vesuvius-shaped pasta with a glass of wine. The menu also includes homemade gnocchi with basil cream (1,200 yen) and paccheri with mussels and clams (1,300 yen), offering a choice of pasta styles.

There is a good selection of wines by the glass to accompany the food. White Malvasia starts at 120ml for 650 yen, while red Syrah starts at 120ml for 650 yen. Some diners have asked for help choosing, making this a place to build an evening around wine, with antipasti or pasta alongside.

For dessert, try crema catalana (490 yen), a semi-frozen take on crème brûlée with a caramelised top. There is also crema cioccolata (540 yen), a semi-frozen dessert made with chocolate containing 55% cacao. Both offer a way to round out the meal.

The dining room is small, and one diner has reported having lunch alone at the counter. Some lunch visits have included a drink or dessert, making it easy to add a pause to a midday pasta meal.