Hyperlocal Tokyo

Tucked away in the backstreets of Shibuya, specifically in Sakuragaoka-cho, lies the Italian restaurant "CUJORL." It's located a short distance west of the intersection in front of Sakuragaoka Post Office. While slightly removed from the station, the area is known for its high-quality restaurants and offers a delightful stroll. CUJORL's lunch menu features four options: A - Salad Lunch (¥1,200), B - Pasta Lunch (¥1,600), C - Main Dish Lunch (¥2,700), and D - Full Course (¥3,500). The enticing selection of appetizers led me to choose the B Lunch. The appetizer selection allows you to choose one from five options, primarily featuring seafood but also including prosciutto and pork. I opted for the "Marinated Miyagi Saba (Mackerel) with Water Eggplant and Myoga (Japanese Ginger)." For the pasta, I chose the "Salmon and Shimeji Mushroom Cream Sauce w/ Spaghetti" from four options. The interior has an interesting layout, with an L-shaped counter and a few tables. It's quite a popular spot, and when I visited, it was nearly full. I managed to squeeze into a seat at the end of the counter. Perhaps due to the location, the clientele exuded a calm atmosphere, contributing to a relaxed and comfortable ambiance throughout the restaurant. The marinated Saba arrived, along with bread. Despite being marinated, it was surprisingly light and easy to eat. The combination with water eggplant was refreshing, and the Myoga provided a pleasant accent. Next came the pasta. For an additional ¥100, you could have a large portion, but even the regular size was quite substantial. Although listed as spaghetti, the noodles were more like spaghetti alla chitarra or even fettuccine. They had a slight bite and were cooked to perfection. The salt balance was excellent, and I devoured it quickly. I used the remaining bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The lunch course allows you to add a drink like coffee for an additional ¥100, so I ordered a cup. After lingering a bit, I finished my meal. I had heard good things about this place, and it lived up to the hype. Highly recommended!

I dined here recently. It's located a short walk from the station. The restaurant has a very stylish and relaxed atmosphere. The staff were excellent and the food was delicious. I definitely plan to visit again.

This was the best dish I've had recently! The flavors of the ingredients were beautifully highlighted, creating a deep and moving experience.

## 2017 Lunch Delicious food. Prices are a bit on the higher side, with lunch ranging from ¥1,500 to ¥3,000. I'm not sure about dinner, but I'll definitely come back again. ## 2024/5 Dinner * Appetizer: ¥500 - Summer Vegetable Ratatouille * Pork, Burdock Root, Mustard Sauce: ¥1,600 * Shrimp Arabiata: ¥1,600 - Al dente * Seared Sea Bass: ¥2,800 - Crispy Skin * Cheese Pudding and Yogurt Ice Cream: ¥700 Total for two people: ¥11,200 Delicious, but the portions are small and a bit pricey.