Questions
Frequently asked questions
Access, opening hours, reservations, seating, food, drinks, courses and payment. Where we do not have a fixed answer we say so, and ask you to check with us — we would rather do that than guess.
Access to our Italian bar in Noji by Minami-Kusatsu Station, opening hours, second-bar and wheelchair use
How do I get there from Minami-Kusatsu Station?
It is a 2-minute walk from JR Minami-Kusatsu Station. The address is 1-14-38 Noji, Kusatsu, Shiga.
Can we hold a welcome party, a farewell party or a wedding after-party in Minami-Kusatsu?
Yes. We seat up to 80 guests and take private hire for 30 to 80. A projector, screen and microphone are available.
Do you have meat other than Omi beef?
Yes: grilled Kurao pork (150g) and grilled Omi chicken (100g). There is also a triple steak (400g) that brings Omi Nadeshico beef, Kurao pork and Omi chicken onto one plate.
What are your opening hours?
Every day: 17:00–24:00, last order 23:30.
What day are you closed?
We close irregularly. When we are closed on a particular day we post it under News.
I am looking for lunch near Minami-Kusatsu Station — are you open during the day?
No. We open at 17:00, so we do not serve lunch.
How late can I order?
23:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and public holidays. 24:00 on Friday, Saturday and the day before a public holiday.
I am looking for somewhere near Minami-Kusatsu Station for a second stop — can we come in late?
Yes, and many people do — since we are open until 24:00. A glass of wine and one pizza is a perfectly normal order here.
We are driving to Kusatsu — is there parking?
We cannot promise a space of our own, so please use one of the coin parking areas around Minami-Kusatsu Station. If parking matters for your visit, please ask us when you book.
Is the entrance accessible?
Please tell us when you book. We will prepare a table that works and guide you in on the day.
Reservations
Do I need to book?
Friday, Saturday and the day before a public holiday fill up, so we recommend booking. On a weekday you can often walk in.
How do I book?
Online through the reservation page, or by telephone on 077-561-3373. We open at 17:00, so the phone is easiest to reach after that.
Can I book for today?
Please call us. We will tell you honestly whether we can fit you in.
How far in advance should I book for a large group?
For December and the welcome and farewell party season, as early as you can. For 30 guests or more, please call rather than booking online.
What if I am running late?
Please call us as soon as you know. We will hold the table as long as we can.
Can I change the number of guests after booking?
Yes, if you tell us early. For courses we prepare ingredients in advance, so the sooner the better.
Is there a cancellation fee?
For courses and private hire it may apply depending on when you cancel, because ingredients are prepared in advance. We tell you the conditions when we take the booking.
Can I book a specific seat, like the counter?
Tell us your preference when you book and we will do our best, though we cannot guarantee a particular seat.
Seating and the space — for a date, a girls' night, a birthday or with children in Minami-Kusatsu
How many seats are there?
73 seats in all: counter, tables, a round table and raised sofa seats.
I am looking for an Italian restaurant in Kusatsu with a private room — do you have one?
The round table and the raised sofa seats let a group sit together. For a room of your own, please ask us when you book — it depends on the date and the size of your party.
Can I smoke?
Yes, on the street side. It is the one place where smoking is allowed.
Can I come alone?
Yes. The counter faces the wood-fired oven, and a glass with one dish is a normal way to use us.
I am looking for a non-smoking Italian restaurant in Kusatsu — can you smoke here?
Inside is entirely non-smoking. There is a smoking area outside the entrance.
I am looking for somewhere near Minami-Kusatsu Station for a date — is it alright for two?
The counter facing the oven works well for two. Tell us when you book if it is a special evening.
I am looking for a restaurant in Kusatsu we can take children to — are children welcome?
Yes. Children are welcome from infancy. We have children's chairs, you may bring baby food, and prams can come inside. Please tell us when you book so we can prepare a table that works.
I am looking for somewhere in Kusatsu for a girls' night — how many of us can you take?
Yes. The round table works well for a group who want to see each other, and the counter with a view of the wood-fired oven is popular too.
I want to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary in Kusatsu — can you help with that?
Please tell us when you book. We will arrange what we can, and you can ask about bringing a cake as well.
Are pets allowed?
We are sorry, but we cannot accommodate pets.
Food — Omi beef steak, the rossini, the triple steak, Kurao pork and wood-fired pizza
It is my first time eating Omi beef — what do you recommend?
Omi beef and the wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. If you want one dish that shows what we do, the grilled Omi beef.
Is the Omi beef really Omi beef?
Yes. Omi beef is the brand beef of Shiga, and we buy it by Omi Nadeshico beef, which is why the cuts on the menu change through the year.
What is the Rossini?
Omi beef fillet topped with foie gras and finished with a red wine sauce. It is the main dish of the 7,700 yen premium course.
I am looking for wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in Kusatsu — what is your pizza like?
Neapolitan, baked in a wood-fired oven. Short and fierce heat, so the rim rises and takes on its char while the centre stays soft.
Can I see the oven?
Yes — it is visible from the counter, and the fire is in from 17:00.
Do you use local vegetables?
Yes. Omi vegetables are the base of the antipasti and the bagna cauda, and what is on the plate changes with the season.
Can you handle allergies?
Please tell us before you order, or when you book if you are having a course. We will do what we can, and we will say clearly if a dish cannot be changed.
Are there vegetarian options?
We do not have a fixed vegetarian menu. Tell us in advance and we will put together what we can from the vegetables and the pizza.
Do you do takeaway?
Our dishes are made to be eaten here; if you would like to take something away, please ask us by phone.
Do you do delivery?
No, we do not deliver.
Drinks — a wine bar in Minami-Kusatsu: wine and free-flow
How large is the wine list?
The list is on the blackboard and is rewritten with the season, and we keep a wine cellar. Tell us the dish and your budget and we will choose for you.
Can I have wine by the glass?
Yes. Ask what is open tonight — it changes.
What else do you have besides wine?
Beer, whisky, shochu, sake, cocktails and soft drinks.
Is there free-flow drinks on its own?
Yes: 1,650 yen for one hour, with food ordered from the menu. A limited-time price is sometimes offered through the online reservation site.
Do the courses include free-flow drinks?
Yes. The 5,500 yen, 6,600 yen and 7,700 yen courses all include 120 minutes of free-flow drinks.
Is there anything for people who do not drink?
Yes, soft drinks are available. Please tell us when you book if someone in the group is not drinking.
Courses, and private hire in Minami-Kusatsu for welcome parties, large parties and wedding after-parties
I am looking for a party course with free-flow drinks in Kusatsu — how much are the courses?
Seasonal party courses with free-flow drinks start at 5,500 yen. There is a 6,600 yen course with grilled Omi beef and a 7,700 yen premium course with the Rossini.
How many people can you seat for a party?
Up to 80 guests seated.
I am looking for somewhere in Kusatsu we can hire privately — from how many guests?
Yes, for 30 to 80 guests. A projector, screen and microphone are available. Please call us to check the date before booking online.
Is there a time limit on a party?
It depends on the day and the size of the party. We tell you when we take the booking.
Can we bring a cake?
Please ask when you book. Tell us the time you would like it brought out and we will arrange what we can.
I want to know what to budget for Omi beef in Kusatsu — what is the guide price?
Dinner averages 5,000-5,999 yen a head; parties are much the same.
Payment and other questions
I am looking for a cashless-friendly place in Kusatsu — which credit cards do you take?
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club.
Can I pay with a QR code payment?
Yes, PayPay is accepted.
Can we split the bill?
Please tell us before we bring the bill and we will do what we can. On a busy night, one payment for the table is quicker.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Please ask a member of staff when you arrive.
Is there an English menu, and does anyone speak English?
Yes. We have an English menu, and there are staff who speak English. Please just ask.
If your question is not here, call us on 077-561-3373 from 17:00, or write to us and we will reply.