Owner's Notebook #2 [Ventinove] (Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture)

Founded in 1908, KAMA-ASA is a specialty store for kitchen tools in Kappabashi. The fourth-generation owner, Daisuke Kumazawa, shares his experiences and thoughts from visits to restaurants in Tokyo and various places both domestically and internationally, as well as his daily activities as a lover of food.

Fourth-generation owner of KAMA-ASA Daisuke Kumazawa

A luxurious time woven with firewood and local ingredients, a restaurant with guest rooms in the chef's hometown of Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture

The restaurant in Kawaba Village exudes an atmosphere that promises delicious food and pleasant moments, not in an overwhelming way, but rather like a gentle morning light enveloping the space.

Nestled in the sake brewery 'Tsuchida Shuzo' surrounded by nature in Kawaba Village

“Ventinove”
The restaurant, meaning '29' in Italian, is a place filled with philosophy that opened in 2022 in Kawaba Village, where the owner, Chef Takeuchi, closed his popular restaurant 'Trattoria 29' in Nishiogikubo after nine years. I had the opportunity to visit the Nishiogi location several times, enjoying the famous bistecca that left me in ecstasy each time. When I heard it would close during COVID, I eagerly anticipated when and how it would reopen. After hearing the news of its relocation to Gunma in 2022, I had been looking forward to this day.

I visited in May, the most recommended season, where various wild vegetable dishes with strong aromas and colorful vegetables were abundant, culminating in a salad and appetizers like croquettes prepared right in front of me, further enhancing my anticipation and appetite for the main dish, the local beef bistecca. Yes, the name Ventinove (=29 in Italian) is a play on the word 'meat,' reflecting a profound love for meat. At the start of the meal, the bone-in chunk of meat presented before entering the wood-fired oven appeared to be cooked well, with a crispy and fragrant surface, and as I chewed, the rich flavor of the meat filled my mouth.

Contrary to its impactful appearance, it was surprisingly easy to eat, but just as I thought I couldn't finish it, I learned that any leftovers could be vacuum-packed to take home. What a wonderful service! I gladly accepted this offer and ordered the final pasta dish, which allows for up to three types. That day, I chose two types of pasta, tomato and ragù, along with a risotto.

After enjoying dessert, I was thoroughly satisfied. And at Ventinove, there is a unique feature: only one group can stay overnight each day. Naturally, I had requested a stay plan for this day, so I went upstairs to the bedroom on the second floor and happily fell asleep. In the morning, I was treated to a gentle porridge breakfast.

The chef's personality and the delightful service provided by his wife, filled with soft humor, create a truly comfortable atmosphere that makes you not want to leave this restaurant.
 
I can't wait for my next reservation.

Ventinove

Address: 2593-1 Yachi, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture (within Tsuchida Shuzo)
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Fourth-generation owner of KAMA-ASA

Born in 1974 in Asakusa, Tokyo. After working at the antique shop 'Pantagruel' (Ebisu, Tokyo) and the furniture café 'Organic Design' (Nakameguro, Tokyo), he joined the family business, KAMA-ASA in Kappabashi, Tokyo, in 1999. He became the fourth-generation owner in 2004 and rebranded the store in 2011, which has been in operation for 103 years. He aims to convey the concept of 'good tools with good reasoning' and provides opportunities for happy encounters with tools both domestically and internationally.