Introducing Italian Restaurant Calma

Hello, this is Gachako, a writer for [Sarukuma]!

Today I’m excited to introduce a hidden gem located in Kamisakashita, Nankan Town, Tamana District:
[Italian Restaurant Calma].

I made my reservation three months in advance, and finally got to visit!

※ A Few Important Notes ※
First check availability on their official website (here), then send your preferred date by email or phone.
They cannot answer the phone during service, so they will call you back. Email is recommended.

Look for the charming house with the triangular red roof — that’s Calma.
There are about two parking spaces right next to the building, but the slope is steep and narrow.
For first-time visitors, the lower parking lot is highly recommended.

You’ll see a clear sign here. The lot is shared with a hospital and pharmacy.

The entire building is reserved for just one group at a time, so you can truly relax and enjoy a private dining experience.

The previous group was a family with kids having a wonderful time — what a coincidence, I bumped into a friend’s family there!
Child-sized chairs and tableware are provided. Many regulars come as three-generation family gatherings.

Here’s the Lunch Menu:

Sazanka — for groups of 4 or more, 2,200 yen (grape juice, salad, soup, pasta, main dish, bread, dolce, coffee)

Tsubaki — 3,500 yen (Sazanka course with imported beef fillet and grilled domestic chicken as the main dish)

Nagi — 4,400 yen (grape juice, antipasto, bagna càuda, soup, seafood pasta, meat main dish, bread, dessert, coffee)

Children’s Menu (orange juice, pasta, pizza, dessert)
Toddlers: 550 yen
Lower elementary: 800 yen
Upper elementary: 1,000 yen

Italian Restaurant Calma — Recommended Menu

Tsubaki Lunch — that’s what I ordered!
We toasted with non-alcoholic champagne.

I swapped the grape juice for French non-alcoholic champagne (an extra 350 yen) — totally worth it!

A vibrant salad made with vegetables sourced from contracted farmers in Nagomi Town, Itoshima, and Mashiki.
Every bite was crisp and bursting with the natural sweetness of fresh, local produce.

The house-made dressings come in four colorful varieties.
They were arranged in the four corners of the plate, and I tried them all. Each had its own concept and was delicious, but my favorite was the black “charcoal” one.
I’m a huge fan of black sesame!

Soup made from spring potatoes and new onions. Seasoned with nothing but vegetables, salt, and pepper.
It was rich, velvety, and so good I could have asked for seconds.

The house-made bread and herb oil are refillable.
The chef told me he was so inspired by the herb oil at a certain restaurant that it set him on the path to becoming an Italian chef. A life-changing herb oil indeed!

House-made tuna and shimeji mushroom tomato pasta. The freshly grated goat cheese filled the air with an amazing aroma.
The thick noodles had just the right texture, holding the sauce beautifully — chewy and absolutely delicious.

The main course: sautéed beef fillet and Hinomoto pork with a spinach sauce.

You can choose your preferred level of doneness.
The chef purchases half a pig every month, so the pork is full of authentic, deep flavor — just superb.

And for dessert — freshly made apricot gelato! The chef started preparing it from scratch the moment we arrived.
He said, “Didn’t you hear the whirring sound?” — but honestly, I had no idea!

You can choose between coffee or tea.
What a truly satisfying meal!

Yes, you’ll need to book in advance (and they fill up fast), and it’s a bit of a drive from central Kumamoto City, but the quality far exceeds the price. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience surrounded by the beautiful nature of Nankan Town, please visit Italian Restaurant Calma!

And finally, here’s the chef with Parsley, the resident mascot goat in charge of grass cutting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and business hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.