LA PICCOLO CITRINO (Nippon Italian Pasticceria)
" Savor your lifestyle, bringing craftsmanship, culture, and elegance to life with every bite."
With the success of CITRINO da Yoshinaga Jinbo, La Piccolo Citrino emerges as an evolution in luxury dining comfort, seamlessly blending Japanese craftsmanship with Italian soul to create extraordinary confections. Envisioned by Louie Shum and brought to life by acclaimed pastry chef Asuka Matsubara, this concept transcends traditional patisserie, crafting an unforgettable experience that elevates elegance with each bite. Inspired by ideas of “cake, tart, bubble, fashion, music, savor with refined lifestyle,” La Piccolo Citrino embodies a fusion that goes beyond dessert.
This journey began with Louie’s vision to extend the luxury comfort dining experience into guests' lifestyles, allowing them to celebrate with great memories—a concept perfectly realized through Asuka’s refined approach to pastry. A passionate perfectionist, Louie recognized in Asuka a commitment to quality that mirrored his dedication to culinary innovation. Asuka’s experience at La Cime—a Michelin-starred gem in French culinary innovation—along with her French pastry training across Kyoto, Osaka, and Paris, provided her with a unique foundation. Yet Louie’s invitation opened a new chapter, offering her a canvas to blend this expertise with Italian influence, enriched by her Japanese roots.
Asuka’s journey has been marked by evolution, discipline, and innovation. Like Chef Jinbo Yoshinaga, who transitioned from French cuisine to a signature Nippon-Italian style, Asuka saw in La Piccolo Citrino the chance to blend Italian classics with her deep training in French and Japanese pastry. Inspired by the richness of Italian dolce, she infuses her creations with bold flavors, layering textures and aromas that speak to both the delicate and the dynamic. “This is about expressing tradition, top ingredients, and creativity, all in one bite,” Asuka reflects, seeing La Piccolo Citrino as more than a patisserie—it’s an art form that marries Japanese precision with Italian vibrance, capturing the spirit of a venture that pushes the boundaries of her previous work.
Together, Louie and Asuka have extended CITRINO's luxury comfort dining by setting a high standard of Italian confection, where two cultures, two talents, and one shared vision converge—creating an unforgettable experience with every bite. Through La Piccolo Citrino, guests can now savor this artistry with exclusive preordered confections, available when reserving a table at CITRINO or Ryota Kappou Modern, or by preordering through the CITRINO online shop. Each creation embodies CITRINO’s harmonious blend of Japanese precision and Italian soul, allowing guests to bring the luxury of fine dining into their own celebrations and intimate moments.
Whether for a special occasion or a personal indulgence, La Piccolo Citrino offers a refined taste of CITRINO’s ethos beyond the restaurant, transforming any setting into a sophisticated, memorable escape.