Koizumi’s son Jun, who joined the restaurant last year, is an encouraging presence. I was at an Italian restaurant,” he says. I was going to have him open a separate restaurant, but that would have made it easier for me. Although this could be taken either seriously or as a joke, there is no doubt that Jun admires Koizumi’s skills. The new Parlor Koizumi has added modern Italian techniques to the flavors that Koizumi has established, and now you can enjoy the taste of the new Parlor Koizumi.
Mr. Koizumi showed us an old photo of the restaurant. The restaurant has been remodeled three times. His enthusiasm for keeping the parlor going through the ages is evident in his talk.
The true value of Parlor Koizumi lies in the fact that the original flavors, such as Neapolitan, have been passed down from generation to generation. From parent to child, the history of Parlor Koizumi is a good blend of the nostalgic and the new, and is a part of Chichibu’s culinary culture. We all check the traditional menu to make sure the taste is not bland,” he says. We can’t serve anything that is not up to par.
The glass automatic door that welcomes customers is casually stylish. The greenery on display is also pleasant.
The fact that what was once cutting-edge is now nostalgic is a testament to the history that has passed. There must be many customers who are attracted to Parlor Koizumi by its appearance. Once they taste the food, they will be struck by the fact that the original taste of the “Chichibu-born parlor” has been passed down from generation to generation. The sign does not lie.
Parlor Koizumi
17-13 Banba-cho, Chichibu-shi, Saitama
0494-22-3995
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Closed: 3rd Thursday of the month (occasional closing)
Text: Hiroyuki Imamura Photo: Takashi Yanagida