Il Ballond’oro
Chef Iwata Masaki’s skill with the soccer ball is bested only by his impeccable deftness in traditional Italian cuisine.
Restaurant Details
The name of Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Italian restaurant, Il Ballond’oro, sounds oddly familiar on first mention. It’s a direct reference to the coveted Ballon d’Or, the award given to the best footballer every year by the sports magazine French Football — and a reminder of the career path that chef Iwata Masaki could have pursued.
An aspiring football player in his youth, Chef Iwata instead turned his attentions to Italian cuisine later in life — a career decision that not only turned out for the best for him, but also to the hundreds of grateful Tokyoites who flock to his Ebisu trattoria every week for affordable, delicious Italian food.
Chef Iwata’s signature dish, golden risotto, also references the golden football for which his restaurant is named: a plate of glistening saffron rice and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, best paired with the restaurant’s extensive selection of vintage reds or whites. Other highly recommended menu items are the beef offal and tomato stew, and Tuscan-style spaghetti with black truffle and lardo fatback.
Michelin Guide:
2023 - Bib Gourmand
Il Ballond’oro Access Info
Il Ballond’oro is a 5-minute walk from Ebisu Station.
Il Ballond’oro Phone Number
Il Ballond’oro Business Days
Il Ballond’oro Address
Aries Ebisu Building 1F, 1-chome-24-10 Ebisu, Shibuya City, Tokyo, 150-0013
Restaurant location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
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