There’s a certain kind of dinner that just feels like Christmas. The kind where the lighting is warm, the service is smooth without trying too hard, and the plates are the kind you want to linger over a little longer than planned. That’s the vibe at IL LUPINO PRIME this year. From December 19 to 25, the Aoyama-Omotesando steakhouse is serving a one-week-only Christmas Course that blends Italian holiday classics with the kind of big, confident steak they’re known for.
If you’ve never been, the restaurant has that polished-but-comfortable energy that makes you want to stay for another glass of wine you didn’t plan on. The staff are genuinely excellent, and the bread? Surprisingly memorable.
Festive Appetizers With Real Flavor
The meal opens with a trio of appetizers that feel like a Christmas spread without being overly fancy. The Amela tomato caprese is bright and sweet, the buffalo mozzarella creamy without weighing you down.
The prosciutto and melon hits that salty-sweet groove everyone loves, and the grilled tuna coated in black sesame, topped with caviar and even a touch of gold, leans into holiday glam in a fun way.
Pasta, the IL LUPINO Way
Next comes the lobster fettuccine in a porcini-rich bisque sauce. This dish is full-on winter comfort: creamy, earthy and deeply flavored without tipping into heaviness.
The lobster is sweet and perfectly cooked, and the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta. It’s one of those plates where you automatically slow down because every bite deserves attention.
Tuscan-Style T-Bone That Lives Up to the Hype
The USDA Prime T-bone, the restaurant’s signature, is exactly what you want on a cold December night: juicy, deeply seared and legitimately delicious. This is their proudest dish, and it shows.
The sides are simple in the best way. The truffle mash is creamy with just the right amount of aroma (not the overpowering kind), and the broccoli adds a welcome splash of color and crunch. It’s worth noting that the red wine pairing comes from the same region where Tuscan T-bone is traditionally served, and you can actually taste how well they match.
Wine Pairing That Earns Its Place
All three glasses in the pairing course are hits:
➤Bollinger PN VZ19 (Champagne) – crisp, celebratory, easy to drink
➤Ronco del Gnemiz Chardonnay (White) – soft fruit notes, great with the pasta
➤Argiano Solengo (Red) – full-bodied enough to stand next to the steak without competing
Dessert is a Christmas-only “Torta di Natale,” a chocolate-berry cake that lands in that ideal holiday zone between rich and refreshing. Pair it with a coffee or tea, take your time and you’ve got a very satisfying end to the night.
Christmas Dinner Details:
December 19 to 25
IL LUPINO PRIME
3-4-3 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku
illupinojapan.jp
Reserve on TableCheck
AloJapan.com