IL PINOLO Ginza

Restaurant Details

There’s no trick or genre-blurring “modern takes” at IL PINOLO Ginza — just a deep and thorough love for Italian cuisine from executive chef Watanabe Tomotaka, accompanied by stirring regional dishes that follow The Peninsula mantra: great ingredients, simply cooked. The ristorante’s name means “pine nut” in Italian, chosen to symbolize the preciousness found in even the smallest grain.

After its handsome makeover in 2022, IL PINOLO Ginza feels like the newest kid on the block. The space works on a taupe-toned color palette and a seating arrangement that fits 50 people; above the velvet bench chairs, the impressionistic painting evokes the wistful charm of the Italian countryside. Slender wine glasses, seductive lighting and picture windows that look out Ginza’s sparkling nightscape might suggest stiffness, but part of Watanabe’s magic is making the atmosphere homespun.

That is to say, Shizuoka-native Watanabe is impressive. He draws from his experience working in Piedmont and Emilia Romagna for eight years since 2002, where he was inspired by the local ethos of treating foodstuffs as blessings. After serving as head chef at Ristorante Stella — the Italian piloted by Uminat Group — he was appointed executive chef of IL PINOLO Ginza.

The menu is honest and follows a traditional structure that segues from stuzzichino (savory appetizer) to dolce. There’s an impressive antipasto of beef tartare that receives a generous treatment of truffle shaving or the fresh fish carpaccio. Textbook pasta, like the appetizers, might change seasonally; right now, it’s spaghettini spun with uni and anchovy cream tomato and the Milanese-style saffron risotto with beef ragu. The cold fettuccine with caviar, or the egg-yolky risotto with sea urchin and foie gras, is a masterpiece on a plate.

Equal care goes to the wine list, which leans heavily in the Italian direction, plus sparkling and reds by the glass. Tablecloths are white, service is perfect and food is traditionally refined — what more can you ask? Bring a date or book their private rooms for special occasions.

※ Semi-private rooms and private rooms are available for an additional fee. This will be payable at the restaurant.

- Semi-private room (partitioned) for 2 - 4 people: ¥5,000

- Semi-private room (partitioned) for 5 - 8 people: ¥10,000 (recommended for 6 people or less)

- Fully private room for up to 20 people: ¥30,000 (recommended for less than 18 people)

IL PINOLO Ginza Remarks

• Guests with dietary restrictions and/or food allergies should inform the restaurant beforehand. The restaurant might not be able to accommodate guests who make same-day requests.

• The restaurant reserves the right to refuse reservations to guests who have excessive dietary restrictions, particularly those of fish or vegetables.

• The course menu content listed below is an example, and is subject to change based on seasonal availability.

IL PINOLO Ginza Business Days

IL PINOLO Ginza Address

Ginza Green 9F, 7-8-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061

IL PINOLO Ginza Access Info

• IL PINOLO Ginza is a 5-minute walk from Ginza Station (Exit A2) on the Hibiya and Ginza Lines or a 7-minute walk from Shimbashi Station on the JR Lines.

IL PINOLO Ginza Phone Number

IL PINOLO Ginza Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.