Afternoon break for half a day. Before returning to our hometown, let's have a meal in Odawara.
This time, we visited Il Chelo, an Italian restaurant located near the west entrance of Odahei Station (on the new train line side). The restaurant moved here from Odahei a few years ago. Reading reviews from the Odahei era shows that it was once run by a single chef. However, in the current location, there is one female staff member responsible for customer service. Despite the friendly atmosphere, the service is impressive—it seems that the staff can accurately gauge how quickly the dishes are being prepared by customers. This is a positive aspect of the service.
The interior of the restaurant seemed to have been left untouched, perhaps due to its long history. There were also signs that it had been used for some time, but I thought it was better that way, as it allowed for a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere (^^ゞ
Well, my order was a lunch menu for today, priced at 1800 yen. The items included a selection of appetizers, pasta, desserts, and drinks. As for alcoholic beverages, I ordered two glasses of white wine, which were Sauvignon Blanc, each costing 800 yen, and one glass of Chardonnay, which cost 900 yen. These prices include the sales tax.
Appetizer Set
中央にはグリーンサラダを配置し、その周りにはフリッタータ、キャロットラペ、サーモソーセージ、生ハム、蕪のフリット、カリフラワーのスープ、イカ墨のゼッポリーニで囲んでいます。料理内容としてはかなり典型的な構成ですが、フリッタータには卵のコクが素晴らしく出ており、キャロットラペにはクミンの香りが濃厚に感じられ、サーモソーセージも酸味が豊かでした。どれも丁寧な仕事ぶりを感じましたね。そして何より、野菜が新鮮です。
Pasta
Among the various options available, I chose Oda-hara salmon, garlic, pine nuts, and ringed rice. The ringed rice has a moderate firm texture, and the subtle flavor of pine nuts enhances the dish, creating a lively and refreshing taste. The salmon has no unpleasant odor, and it pairs perfectly with the scattered Italian parsley. Overall, it’s a light and easy-to-digest dish.
Dolche
We can choose from multiple options here. I chose Katara. It’s a creamy custard topped with a rich caramel sauce—a simple yet classic dish. Fruits are also served alongside, creating a perfect ending to the meal.
Thank you for your hospitality (^^)
