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Mamma Luisa’s Table

By on November 13, 2017

A convivial atmosphere is just as important as the food for this eatery with a warm, Tuscan vibe.

by Jackie Emoto

 

After a two-decade stint at Tokyo’s upscale restaurants, Florence-born food artisan, Pietro Androsoni, realized that ‘home’ is where his heart is.

Home is – MAMMA LUISA’S TABLE, a down-home trattoria he opened three years ago specializing in dishes linked to his childhood memories back in his native Toscana. Located in expat-friendly Ebisu, Pietro’s dream-come-true culinary universe was named after his beloved mother, Mamma Luisa, whose cooking skills have sparked his interest in food.

My friend and I popped by for lunch one Saturday to see what’s cooking..

The well-lit room and the decor’s smart color accents match the warmth and homey appeal of the restaurant. At the center of the room was a long imposing table that seats 25 people surrounded by a few smallish ones. Opposite this table was a spacious kitchen about a third of the room’s size that doubles as a bar,with Italian wines and spirits on display. It seems quite natural for a trattoria with a homey vibe to have a long table facing an open kitchen because in typical Italian homes, chatting with the cook while ‘breaking bread together’ is a time-honored social activity.

Making creative use of fresh local produce and turning them into nutritious gourmet meals is the quintessence of Tuscan cuisine. Mamma Luisa’s Table is that kind of place. Offered on the menu are 3 kinds of lunch course meal (traditional Tuscan and new dishes). Lunch course meals range from ¥2,500 – ¥4,500 per person. Dinner meals are from ¥8,000.
“Not everything on the menu stays forever as we change it every week depending on what food is in season,” explains the friendly chef.

We went for his recommendation which was a pasta plate (tagliatelle), then a main course (pork for me and fish for my friend), followed by tantalizing desserts and a cup of freshly brewed Italian coffee. The friendly waiter gave us some tasty breadsticks to snack on while we waited for our order. The waiting time didn’t take longer than 5 minutes.

I have been to a number of trattorias in Tuscany where food presentation ranges from very simple to average. But Pietro’s far exceeded my expectation in taste and presentation.
We did not expect our order to come in plates beautifully arranged with so much artistry just like we were at some fancy restaurant in Tokyo.

Every bite was heavenly! The meat was tender and delicious, and so was the fish. The vegetables and pasta were fresh and the fusion of natural herb flavors all worked harmoniously making our dining experience enjoyable and worthy of another visit.

The decadent tarts brought to our table (to choose one from) all looked visually appealing, it took time for us to make up our minds! In the end, we went with apricot tart and cheese cake. All this came with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream and a fancy decor – the kind that would put a smile on your face..

When it comes to jazzing up a dish and making it stand out, Pietro’s gourmet passion and culinary creativity know no limits.
If you want to be charmed by quaint flavors and genuinely convivial atmosphere you rarely get in this part of town, this cozy place deserves a spot in your must-visit list!

Buon Appetito!

MAMMA LUISA’S TABLE
2-20-16 Higashi | Est Minivia 1F, Shibuya
http://luisa-table.com/

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