hakata-ann
This is a small Italian restaurant run by a husband and wife team of owner chef and sommelier who trained in various parts of Italy, located on the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere, but the ingredients, cooking, and presentation have a sense of sophistication. They also offer lunch service (reservation required), making it a perfect choice for those looking for a high-quality Italian lunch experience. It is located in a quiet area in Hakata's Shirogane district. It is about an 8-10 minute walk from the Nishitetsu Hirao/Yakuin stations. Next to it is a greengrocer called "Yaosho." The exterior may look like a typical budget trattoria or osteria, but the food and wine are of high quality, which pleasantly surprised me. The lunch course costs 3,850 yen (tax included) and includes homemade bread, assorted appetizers, pasta, main dish, dessert, and coffee. The interior has a total of 11 seats, mainly at the counter, with one table. The drink menu includes a selection of aperitifs, wine/beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and digestifs. I had Sardinian rosé wine (by the glass), while my colleague had Italian non-alcoholic beer. The appetizer platter included prosciutto salad, Kama venison terrine, seafood and couscous tartare, thin flatbread from Sardinia, and swordfish fritters. The flavors and cooking techniques were excellent! The homemade focaccia was delicious with a savory taste of onions. The spaghetti with baby octopus and new potatoes topped with karasumi breadcrumbs was a delight. The roasted guinea fowl had a crispy skin and juicy meat, complemented by balsamic sauce and kumquat paste. For dessert, we had freshly made tiramisu with chocolate banana cake and milk gelato. Both were rich and flavorful. I ended the meal with an espresso, but they also offer coffee and tea. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience at Osteria e Vino PORCO ROSSO in Fukuoka.