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Le Pristine Tokyo has established itself as a serious presence in the city’s Italian dining scene, known for its contemporary approach to classic flavors and meticulous attention to detail. Beginning in March, the restaurant will launch a year-long exploration of Italy’s regional cuisines, spotlighting a different area every two months.
The “Italian Regions” series pairs contemporary Italian technique with carefully sourced Japanese ingredients, offering a focused look at the country’s culinary diversity through a distinctly Tokyo lens. It begins with Lazio and Abruzzo, neighboring regions in central Italy. The former, with Rome at its center, is known for its comforting and flavorful gastronomy, while the latter blends mountain and coastal culinary traditions.
According to the restaurant’s executive chef, Dennis Kuipers, this rotating series is about more than just the food. “It’s an experience,” he says. “A chance to celebrate life. We are in central Tokyo, but we want people to come here and feel like they have escaped from the city and are traveling abroad.”
The inspiration came from Michelin-starred Dutch chef and entrepreneur Sergio Herman, the creator and driving force behind Le Pristine Tokyo, who has spent years traveling to the tastiest corners of Italy in search of new flavors while preserving local traditions.
‘Italian Regions’ Dinner Menu: A Six-Course Journey Through Italy
The dishes in the first installment of the Italian Regions series all reflect Herman’s philosophy: The stories we share over a meal are what truly enrich the gastronomic experience. From March to April, the course menu will highlight classics from Lazio and Abruzzo, including Roman-style artichokes and traditional lamb dishes, all reimagined through Chef Herman’s lens and elevated with fresh Japanese ingredients.
The first offering is a refined and delicately cooked plate of mussels that evokes the salinity of the sea and the convivial warmth of coastal Italy. Served with elderflower, celery, mustard, pickled shallot and caviar, the briny dish is lifted by the vibrant notes of Herman’s original champagne.
Leaving the coast behind, the journey moves inland to Rome, where the artichoke takes center stage. A symbol of spring in the Italian capital, the thistle vegetable is transformed into Carciofi alla Romana, a dish with a focus on freshness and regional authenticity. It features tender globe artichokes, braised with mint and olive oil. Adding a whisper of the sea is Nagasaki bottarga, a prized Japanese delicacy made from salt-cured, sun-dried grey mullet roe.
The voyage then takes a bold turn with a carbonara creation, one with an unusual twist: Thinly sliced squid is seamlessly woven into the pasta, enhancing the savory flavor of the crisped guanciale. It’s a perfect fusion of land and sea that feels grounded in tradition yet boldly expressive. Arguably the highlight of the menu, this preparation honors the signature richness of carbonara while introducing a lighter touch.
Following the nuanced flavors of the carbonara, the culinary odyssey continues with brodetto — a rich, traditional seafood stew. At Le Pristine, this coastal classic is reimagined with Japan’s golden threadfin bream and tender hamaguri clams, gently simmered with olive oil and a hint of peperoncino.
From the water’s edge to rolling plains, the next chapter celebrates the pastoral heart of the Abruzzo countryside. A succulent, tender braised lamb is served with rustic lentils and finished with a lightly caramelized onion foam. Both familiar and sophisticated, the plate combines earthy, robust notes with meticulous slow-cooking.
Building on these hearty flavors, the menu then turns to Japanese Akaushi beef. Renowned for its rich marbling and deep umami, the meat is seared to perfection, delivering a tender, melt-in-the-mouth experience. It is paired with anchovies and bitter radicchio — staples of Lazio’s mountainous culture — that provide savory depth. The savoy spinach, prepared in a classic ripassata style (pan-tossed and then oven-baked), adds an earthy, textural balance.
The journey through Lazio and Abruzzo concludes with Shikoku lemon confit, inspired by Rome’s love of ricotta. It is accompanied by Abruzzo-style almond ice cream and acacia honey, and finished with a vibrant lemon and basil sauce. Simply divine, this offering provides a refreshing and refined finale to a sumptuous exploration of the heart of Italy’s culinary traditions. It’s a meal that invites diners to savor not just the tastes, but the story, culture and craftsmanship behind every bite.
Beyond the Dinner Course Menu
Le Pristine Tokyo’s exploration of Italy doesn’t stop at the seasonal tasting menu — it extends to thoughtfully curated wine pairings and a rotating brunch that echoes the regional theme. Executive Sommelier Satoru Mori has designed pairings that reflect the character of each locale: For “Sergio’s Carbonara,” a Frascati Superiore from Lazio brings fresh notes of white fruit, herbs and florals that lift the dish’s richness and accentuate its bright citrus and umami edges, while a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva — with concentrated fruit, smooth tannins and a lingering finish — mirrors the depth of the slow-braised lamb neck.
On weekends, the brunch menu offers a lighter way to engage with the restaurant’s culinary ethos. The meal opens with the signature “Le Pristine Plateau” seafood platter, followed by a choice of main dish, with shifting seasonal offerings, and closing with an assortment of Italian-inspired sweets.
About Le Pristine Tokyo
Opened in December 2023 at Hotel Toranomon Hills in Tokyo, Le Pristine Restaurant Tokyo and its cafe counterpart Le Pristine Café Tokyo marked the Asian debut of the acclaimed European dining concept. The restaurant stems from the original Le Pristine in Antwerp, Belgium, which opened in 2020 and earned a Michelin star within its first year. Led by world‑renowned chef Sergio Herman, Le Pristine Tokyo offers contemporary “new Italian” cuisine that blends Japanese ingredients with European techniques and flavors inspired by Italian cuisine and Herman’s Dutch roots.
Website: https://lepristinetokyo.com/en/top
Address: 1F Hotel Toranomon Hills, Toranomon Hills Station Tower, 2-6-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 105-0001
Restaurant Reservations: +81 (0)3-6830-1077
The Lazio and Abruzzo regional menu will be available from March 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026.
Dining and Cooking