Trattoria Mare

Climbing the stairs to the 2th floor of a building along Meguro-dori leads into a calm, softly lit dining room. Located just a short walk from Toritsu-daigaku Station, Trattoria Mare offers an unpretentious setting to enjoy a meal, complete with counter seats and window tables overlooking the street.

Among the dishes on the menu, the carefully prepared Wagyu beef cheek braised in red wine draws steady praise. Cooked until tender enough to yield to a spoon, the meat comes coated in a deep, savory sauce that invites slow enjoyment alongside a glass of wine. The homemade salsiccia sausage, packed with pure, robust meat flavor, is another dependable staple worth ordering.

The antipasti and small plates leading up to the main course are equally varied. Fresh raw octopus carpaccio, Caesar salad, and chicken pâté that pairs naturally with sliced baguette offer appealing accompaniments to a drink. The pasta selection includes crab cream pasta and bolognese, complemented by pizzas, allowing diners to tailor their meal to the evening's mood.

Every plate reflects the warmth of attentive, handmade cooking, supported by the hospitable and personal service of the husband-and-wife owners. It serves just as naturally for dropping in solo for wine and a bite to eat as it does for lingering over dinner with close companions.