Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo's main dining Italian restaurant, Il Teatro, has appointed Alberto Folcorin as Executive Chef from March 2026. The change comes as the restaurant approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027, with a renewed focus on authentic Italian culinary roots and creative evolution. The previous head chef, Shigeru Tabata, takes on a new role overseeing all Western dining restaurants at the hotel, passing on the culinary philosophy and team culture he has built.
Folcorin's debut menu is scheduled to begin on April 13, 2026. Through dishes that harmonize the sensibilities of his native Italy with the four seasons of the hotel's Japanese garden, Il Teatro steps into its next era.
Il Teatro Welcomes an Authentic Italian Chef
Il Teatro is the main dining Italian restaurant of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. It was established in 2001, inheriting the name of the main dining venue of the Four Seasons Hotel Milan. The elegant interior, graced with sparkling chandeliers and elaborate floral arrangements, overlooks a Japanese garden that changes with every season — a setting where guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and wine at a relaxed pace.
As a forerunner of hotel Italian dining in Japan, Il Teatro has built a distinguished reputation over more than two decades. With the 25th anniversary now in sight, the restaurant welcomes a chef steeped in authentic Italian sensibility to begin a fresh challenge rooted in tradition.
Alberto Folcorin: A Philosophy Built on Acidity
Alberto Folcorin was born in Treviso, Veneto, Italy. His passion for cooking was sparked by his grandmother's kitchen, and he went on to build his career across Italy, Australia, and Japan. He describes Japan as his "second home," and his cooking is characterized by the fusion of classical Italian techniques with Japan's richly seasonal ingredients.
Central to his culinary philosophy is the expression of acidity. Through the skillful use of vinegar, citrus, and herbs, he draws out the natural sweetness and aroma of each ingredient to create dishes with remarkable depth.
The signature dish that embodies this approach is "Beet and Scampi Risotto." Striking in its deep crimson color, the dish exemplifies what Folcorin calls "the aesthetics of acidity." The natural sweetness of beet is layered with a delicate touch of raspberry vinegar, resulting in a flavor of nuanced complexity. Available year-round as part of seasonal dinner courses or as an à la carte option, it stands as a symbol of Il Teatro's new direction.
Chef Alberto Folcorin — Profile
Born in Treviso, Veneto, Italy. He honed his skills at five-star Venetian hotel Hotel Danieli and various establishments across Italy, before heading to Australia to further his career. He first came to Japan in 2009 and trained under Enrico Derflingher, former Executive Chef to the British Royal Family, before joining Four Seasons Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (now Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo). After a period abroad, he returned to Japan and was appointed Sous Chef of Il Teatro in 2022. In March 2026, he became Executive Chef of the restaurant.
Spring 2026 Menu: Bosco di il Verde Fresco
The first menu under Folcorin's direction, "新緑の森 Bosco di il Verde Fresco" (Forest of New Greenery), is available from April 13 to May 15, 2026.
- Available: April 13, 2026 (Mon) to May 15, 2026 (Fri)
- Hours: 5:30 PM to L.O. 8:00 PM
- Price: ¥20,000 (tax included, 15% service charge not included)
- Reservations / Inquiries: 03-3943-5489 (10:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
- Details: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.jp/restaurant/plan/bosco-di-il-verde-fresco2026/
Course Contents:
- Starter: Octopus, Genovese, spring cabbage, lime
- Pasta: Pappardella ripiena, rabbit, sherry vinegar, marjoram, hazelnut, pecan nut
- Risotto (choice of one):
- Beet and Scampi Risotto (+¥1,200): Carnaroli rice, scampi, beet, raspberry, stracciatella
- Or: Carnaroli rice, whelk, bigfin reef squid, broad beans, asparagus, Italian green peas, pecorino
- Fish: Rockfish, tomato, white balsamic, rapeseed, acqua pazza style
- Meat (choice of one): Wagyu beef fillet or duck breast, endive agrodolce, new onion, fermented tomato
- Dessert: Melon, chamomile
- Coffee, espresso, or tea
Menu contents may vary by season.
About Il Teatro
Il Teatro is Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo's main dining Italian restaurant. The classical interior features Venetian glass chandeliers and garden views through the windows. True to its name — "IL TEATRO" meaning "theater" — guests are invited to savor authentic Italian cuisine as if watching a performance unfold, course by course. With seating for 82 in the main dining room and two private rooms, the restaurant accommodates a range of occasions from anniversary dinners to business entertaining.
About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo opened in 1952 in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, and is known for its expansive forest-like garden in the heart of the city. The hotel offers 265 guest rooms, 8 restaurants, a spa, and 38 banquet facilities. The three-story pagoda Entsuukaku in the garden, relocated from Higashi-Hiroshima in 1925, is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
