Pappardelle with beef ragu.

Antipasto plate.

Duck salad.

Inside LIFE.

LIFE on the street.

A little walk away from Shibuya up towards Yoyogi Koen on Tomigaya Street is a little restaurant called LIFE. It looks like another one of Tokyo’s cute little cafes, but inside they serve some of the best Italian food I’ve come across in Tokyo.

The menu is expansive and it’s really easy to suffer from eyes-bigger-than-your-stomach syndrome. Luckily my dining partner, Sarah from Tokyo Play, had been to LIFE many times before and made sure we didn’t get greedy and order too much as the servings are quite generous. Good advice that I’m glad I heeded.

LIFE is famous for their pizza, of which they only make 8 per day. So once they’re out, they’re out. Get in early to try one of their pizzas.

First up came a mixed antipasto plate with prosciutto, breads with dips, olives, frittata and sausages. It was much bigger than I expected and as tasty as it looked. Just as we were finishing our platter, a duck salad was brought to our table. Duck is one of my favourite meats (I could live, and die, off Peking duck pancakes). This was a good salad: fresh, decently sized with perfectly cooked duck. And finally, a pappardelle with beef ragu sauce – tasty and rich – definite comfort food. We accompanied this Italian feast with a bottle of organic white wine. Yum.

I love LIFE! Nothing let us down and again I wish I had a larger appetite so I could eat more. Take a date, or bring a small group, this restaurant is good Italian food that will leave you rubbing your post meal belly fondly.

Slow Food Italian Restaurant LIFE’s details:

Nearest station: Yoyogi Koen
Address: Tomigaya 1-9-19 1F, Shibuya, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3467-3479
Opening Hours: Daily: Lunch: 11:45-14:30; Dinner: 18:00-22:00
Website: http://s-life.jp/index.php