Imagine a dining experience so affordable that it seems almost too good to be true—welcome to the world of budget Italian cuisine! For years, Saizeriya has held the title for serving up astonishingly cheap yet questionable Italian fare. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind sacrificing authenticity in exchange for delicious food at wallet-friendly prices, you might just find yourself a fan.
But here’s where it gets interesting: a new contender has stepped into the ring, offering similar pricing and dishes that’ll have you exclaiming all manner of Italian-inspired phrases, like “Finduccio!” This new establishment is named Olive Hill, which has quietly existed in the Kanto region for several years but has only recently surged in popularity.
Olive Hill, also known as Olive No Oka in Japanese, might still be somewhat elusive, with many locations yet to surface. Our writer, Ahiruneko, has found himself grappling with the challenge of locating one nearby. He visited Olive Hill a few months back and has been dreaming of his return ever since. The challenge? It’s quite a trek from his home, necessitating some careful planning.
After sleepless nights filled with cravings, punctuated by fervent cries of “Bladagio!” Ahiruneko finally made the journey back to Olive Hill. As he approached the Izumi-Taiikukan Station, home to the Tachikawa branch, his anticipation grew, making his mouth water like Pavlov's dog at the thought of all the delights awaiting him.
Upon entering the restaurant, he was overtaken by excitement, though it was peak lunchtime and quite packed. Previously, he enjoyed the luxury of an entire table to himself, but this time he was directed to a counter seat. While initially disappointing, he was willing to accept whatever space was available.
However, upon seeing his designated spot, his disappointment vanished…
The counter seat was nothing short of splendid! A year prior, he had experienced a cozy solo seat at Saizeriya, which he appreciated, but Olive Hill's counter offered a much grander sense of space. Here, he could stretch out comfortably, and even though there was someone sitting next to him, they were spaced far enough apart that it felt private.
And while Saizeriya had the advantage of having electrical outlets at each seat, Olive Hill took it up a notch by providing USB charging ports!
In this stress-free environment, Ahiruneko felt liberated enough to kick things off with a Birra Moretti. Previously, he had ordered the Marinated Choshi Sardines for just 319 yen (approximately $2) on his last visit, which had sparked his desire to return. This time, however, he aimed to explore new options, opting for the Salmon Carpaccio priced at 429 yen.
He also selected the Calamari Fritto, also for 429 yen, and to his delight, received a generous portion.
Having sampled calamari fritti at various other eateries that claimed to serve Italian cuisine, he confidently declared these the best he’d tasted. The batter was perfectly crisp, and the squid was tender; though about 100 yen more than at other places, the enhanced flavor justified the extra cost.
Next up was a Margherita pizza, priced at 429 yen. This thin-crust pizza boasted a delightful balance: a crispy exterior with a soft, doughy interior, which made each bite feel like enjoying a gourmet crepe.
Suddenly, it struck him that this dish would pair beautifully with wine. With no one watching in his private counter seat, he decided to indulge in a glass of red wine for 209 yen. While this was about 100 yen more than what Saizeriya offered, the quality of the glass was noticeably superior.
After devouring the pizza, our writer began browsing the menu for his next dish and was taken aback by his discovery.
A Lasagna Bolognese, priced at just 319 yen! Visually, it was strikingly similar to a dish you might find at Saizeriya—particularly reminiscent of their Milanese Doria. Evidently, Olive Hill was gunning for the top spot with this offering.
Although slightly smaller than its Saizeriya counterpart, the lasagna featured thick layers of pasta and a rich sauce that was thoroughly satisfying, especially when paired with his red wine.
Another standout dish was the Oven-Baked Bouillabaisse, costing 539 yen. This steaming bowl of tomato soup was brimming with shrimp, squid, clams, and mussels, with soft bread at the bottom that added to the filling nature of the meal. He couldn’t help but think this dish would complement white wine perfectly, so he ordered a glass to accompany it.
To conclude his Olive Hill experience, Ahiruneko revisited the Marinated Choshi Sardines along with another glass of white wine.
With such an extensive array of delectable dishes now sampled, our reporter left even more convinced of Olive Hill’s potential to carve out a significant niche in the competitive world of Japanese dining. Moreover, the solo dining experience here is truly unmatched.
After settling the bill, he took a quick peek at local real estate listings, pondering that perhaps Olive Hill would soon expand to a location closer to him. But could he really wait that long?
