01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
A stroll through the quiet residential streets of Shirokane leads to the understated storefront of Isola. Step inside and the prominent wood-fired pizza oven immediately sets the tone, filling the dining room with the fragrant aroma of blistering crusts.
The house pizza crust is rolled pleasantly thin, crisp on the outside while retaining an appealing chew. Signature pies include the Pizza DOC, which pairs Kumamoto cherry tomatoes with fresh buffalo mozzarella for a clean balance of bright acidity and milky richness. The menu also features inventive house traditions, such as a whitebait and parmigiano pie, alongside folded calzones and the four-part quattro stagioni—ideal for sharing straight from the oven.
Seafood Pastas, Mains, and Regional Italian Wines
Beyond pizza, the kitchen pays equal care to seasonal pasta, meat, and seafood dishes. Homemade scialatielli kneaded with rich Jersey milk comes tossed with Hokkaido snow crab and peppery arugula in a peperoncino preparation, while squid ink spaghetti is balanced by rich sea urchin. Starters highlight ocean catches like amberjack carpaccio from Yawatahama in Ehime Prefecture, while whole sea robin appears as acqua pazza or baked in the oven. Italian wines from regions such as Sardinia and Tuscany are available by the glass and carafe, making it easy to pair different pours across courses.
Dessert and a Welcoming Trattoria Room
A meal here winds down comfortably over dessert, from a liqueur-scented tiramisu layered with amretti to a classic espresso affogato. A selection of cappuccinos and herbal teas rounds out the finish, encouraging unhurried conversation. The dining room offers the warm, welcoming atmosphere of an authentic trattoria, suited equally to an everyday lunch or a dinner shared among friends and family. Because tables can fill during peak hours, advance reservations are recommended.
