Lunch at “Rustico,” a standalone Italian restaurant just a 7-minute walk from Kuroiso Station. The spaghetti with jumbo oysters was absolutely amazing!
A 7-minute walk from Kuroiso Station‘s West Exit
Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood a short distance from the station lies the Italian restaurant “Rustico.”
Having heard from a friend that it was delicious, I went for lunch despite the rainy weather.
- Basic info about the restaurant
- Ordered menu and prices for lunch
- What the inside of the restaurant looks like
- My impressions of the lunch
Basic infomation on the restaurant
- Name: Cibo italiano & Gelato rustico
- Category: Italian restaurant
- Address: 2-3 Nishikicho, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
- Access: 7-minute walk from the west exit of Station Kuroiso
- Business Hours
- (Lunch) 11:30~15:00 (L.O. 14:00)
- (Dinner) 18:00~22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
- (Gelato) 11:30~16:30（May to October only）*
*Lunch service is available only on the terrace.
- Regular Holiday
- (Lunch) Fridays, Sundays*
- (Dinner) Sundays*
*If it’s a three-day weekend, we will be open on Sunday and closed on Monday.
- Phone Number: 0287-74-6159
- Official Website/SNS
Review of my actual experience visiting
The entrance is a bit hard to find, but nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, a single-family home with a garden serves as the restaurant.
Ordered Menu and Price
There were three lunch options.
- One Plate
- Pasta A Set
- Pasta B Set
Set A & Set B allow you to choose your favorite pasta.
Prices vary slightly by pasta type.
This time, I added gelato & drink to the Pasta A Set.
・Pasta A Set (1,210 JPY)
‐ Pasta: Spaghetti with Jumbo Oysters (Tomato Sauce, 600 JPY)
- Gelato & Drink (300 JPY)
Homemade Bread & Today’s Soup
The bread was probably ciabatta.
The crust was crisp and fragrant, while the inside had a chewy texture.
The combination of olive oil and salt was absolutely perfect.
The soup was Jerusalem artichoke potage, and it was my first time trying a soup made with Jerusalem artichokes.
I’d heard it was a “potage,” so I imagined a thick, creamy texture, but it actually had a light, smooth mouthfeel—a pleasant surprise.
It had no strong flavors, just a subtle hint of Jerusalem artichoke’s gentle taste, making it the perfect soup to start with.
Spaghetti with Jumbo Oysters (Tomato Sauce)
The moment it arrived, the aroma of tomato sauce built anticipation.
First, take a bite of just the pasta.
The perfect acidity of the tomatoes and concentrated umami spread across my palate—it was so delicious I’d want to keep eating just the sauce alone.
Next, with oysters.
The oysters were plump and juicy, releasing their rich, savory flavor with every bite.
The combination of tomato sauce and oysters was absolutely perfect, making this spaghetti a must-try for any oyster lover.
Gelato & Drink
Milk gelato had a smooth and rich texture.
I could really taste the deliciousness of the milk itself, yet the aftertaste was surprisingly refreshing!
It was not overly sweet and didn’t feel heavy at all.
Hot tea was memorable for its pleasant aroma that gently wafts up the moment I brought my face close to the cup.
It had a smooth, easy-drinking quality that perfectly reset the sweetness of the gelato.
It was a combination that let me relax and enjoy the lingering taste of dessert.
The atmosphere inside
The interior was a calm space with a sophisticated atmosphere.
When customers with children visited the restaurant, staff made accommodations such as switching to a child-sized chair and confirming with parents whether to add black pepper to their child’s meal.
Features & Usability of Rustico
Here’s a quick look at the dining scenes and facilities at Rustico.
Recommended for different occasions
Table seating is available for parties of 2, 4, or 6, so you can choose based on your group size.
While there are no counter seats, I was able to use a two-person table by myself.
On warm, sunny days, the terrace seating looks like a great option.
With thoughtful considerations for seating and meals, families with children should find it easy to enjoy.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi & Power supply: N/A
- Smoking: Smoke-free restaurant
- Payment method (Common example)
- Cash
- Credit card
- PayPay
- Apple pay
Since they had Square installed, you can use a variety of payment methods.
Access & map
Pass the Kuroiso Station West Exit Bicycle Parking Lot and continue straight ahead (For directions to the bicycle parking lot, see this article).
After walking for about 4 minutes, you’ll see a crosswalk. Cross the crosswalk and go straight.
After walking for about a minute, you’ll see “Rustico” on your right side.
Summary｜Who I recommend Rustico for
- People who like pasta lunch
- For those who wish to enjoy Italian cuisine with children
- People who like oysters
👉 If you’re in the mood for pasta lunch around Kuroiso Station, give Rustico a try!
