June 2003

Aiko Kajiwara

Should you ever want to try the pizza that many people recommend as the best in Wakayama, then take the stairs down to Mr. Magic?s pizza bar. It is located in the basement of the Sessa building on Keyaki-dori near JR Wakayama Station (See map below.). The sign and stairs leading down to the restaurant are easily visible. At the bottom of the stairs, there is a spacious semi-outdoor basement patio covered with a roof, which is an ideal place to sit, chat and enjoy your meal regardless of the weather outside. Inside, the wooden bar and warm lighting make for a comfortable and calm atmosphere. Including both the patio and the inside area, there is capacity for 80 people, which is a suitable size for weddings and other private parties.

What makes this place really special is that it has live guitar music (mostly folk and blues), usually performed by the owner, Mr. Yamasaki. You?ll have a better chance of enjoying his music if you go there during weekdays, especially after 9:00 pm, when the place tends to be rather quiet. Mr. Yamazaki speaks very good English and enjoys talking with his customers when it is not too busy.

With live music and a relaxing atmosphere, Mr. Magic is already a nice place to hang out, but I have yet to describe the food. The restaurant?s specialties are pizza and pasta which are also available for takeout. For lunch, there is only one set menu of pasta, which includes two slices of pizza, a salad, coffee, and cookies for only 900 yen. For dinner, the three most popular and recommended orders are Pizza Margarita, Pizza Pineapple with Gorgonzola, and Pizza Prosciutto with Mozzarella. I chose the Pizza Pineapple with Gorgonzola and it has a really good crust --- thin and crunchy on the outside but soft in the middle. It was just the right sized meal for me. The pizza can also be a good takeout snack for those on the go.

If you like pizza, guitar, and a relaxing atmosphere, it is worth trying this restaurant. It has already gained a good reputation within the local community so make a point of dropping by to see for yourself why people have dubbed it one of the best places for quality Italian food.

Posted on June 2003 in the following categories: Food and Dining | TrackBack(330)