For many years now, Saizeriya has been the undisputed king of unbelievably cheap and questionably Italian food. As long as you’re not picky about authenticity and appreciate good-tasting food at a really low price, it’s hard to be disappointed by them.
However, a new competitor has emerged with nearly the same low prices and dishes that will make you cry out all kinds of vaguely Italian-sounding exclamations like “Finduccio!” It’s called Olive Hill, and it’s actually been around for many years in the Kanto area, but recently has been exploding in popularity.
▼ Olive Hill seems to go by both its English name and Japanese name Olive No Oka.
However, things are still early in the eatery’s popularity, and it might still be hard to find a location near you. That’s a problem our writer Ahiruneko has been struggling with recently. He visited an Olive Hill a few months earlier, and ever since, he’s been yearning to go back. The only problem is that it’s far from where he lives, so going there requires planning.
Finally, after nights of waking up in a cold sweat and crying “Bladagio!” Ahiruneko could finally pay Olive Hill another visit. As he neared the Izumi-Taiikukan Station, where the Tachikawa branch was located, he began to salivate like Pavlolive’s dog.
Arriving at the restaurant, he felt the most excited he’s been all year, but it was lunchtime and quite crowded. Last time he was able to enjoy a whole table to himself, but this time he was asked to use a counter seat. It was a little disappointing, but at this point, he’d take whatever he could get.
Or so he thought until he actually saw his seat…
It was majestic. About a year earlier, Ahiruneko had used a Saizeriya solo seat, and while he liked it, it was more of a cozy little hideaway. On the other hand, Olive Hill’s single seat was downright palatial in comparison.
Our writer could stretch out his elbows, and even though someone was sitting beside him, that person was so far away he could barely notice them.
And while Saizeriya had the luxury of private electrical outlets at each seat, Olive Hill topped them there too by also providing USB charging ports!
It was a completely stress-free environment, so Ahiruneko felt like cutting loose and opening with a Birra Moretti.
Last time he was here, he ordered the Marinated Choshi Sardines for just 319 yen (US$2), and it planted the seed of wanting to come back ever since. But this time, he wanted to try some new things and got the Salmon Carpaccio for 429 yen.
He also ordered Calamari Fritto for 429 yen, and despite the name, got a whole plate of them.
Ahiruneko had calamari fritti at other not-so-Italian restaurants many times, but he felt these were hands-down better. Both the crispness of the batter and tenderness of the squid were superior in his opinion. They were about 100 yen more expensive here on average, but the improvement in taste was beyond the extra cost.
