Classic Cakes by Takuya Hanai at HANAI(1): Ginger & Lime Mousse Tart!

July 25, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Extremely friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Overall spotless clean. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable~slightly expensive (reasonable considering the quality!)
Strong points: Superb array of cakes and biscuits aimed at an adult clientele. Excellent lunch sets. Wine & beer available. Can be enjoyed as a cafe, restaurant and wine bar.

I used to conduct tasting of Takuya Hanai/花井拓也さん at his former shop, Taky’s.
It is only natural that I start again with his cakes at his new shop, Hanai Salon de The!

This first tasting concerns a new creation to me: Ginger and Lime Mousse tart!

It is not only remarkable for its simple beauty, but also for the marriage both in taste and bite of the various ingredients, making it a sublime cake to be best savored in the afternoon with a cup of strong coffee or tea!

The ginger mousse is very much a Japanese approach with just enough sweetness and tang enhanced by the thin layer of lime jelly!
The solid but tender marzipan under the mousse provides the perfect transition to the crispy pate sablee!
If I didn’t have good manners, or if I were at home, I would just take this tart between three fingers and bite through it!

To be followed (naturally!)…

Salon de The HANAI

420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajjo, 2-10-23
Tel. 6 Fax: 054-255-2829
Opening hours: 10:00~20:00 (later if enough customers!)
Closed on Tuesdays
Parties (up to 25) welcome!

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Architecture, Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Atago Shrine (愛宕神社) in Shizuoka City! Part 2

July 25, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Atago Shrine (愛宕神社) is only one of many such named shrines in Japan and it has been standing for more than 500 years on one of the ancient Tokaido Rads.
Due to its age it is more a cluster of shrines than a single one.
This is the second installment starting from the Miwa Torii/Triple Torii Gate of Kinpei Shrine!

It was then back to climbing the long stone stairs!

Some the ancient cedar trees along the way were truly enormous!

Some even bore an official name!

Taking a break to have a look back at the stairs I have already climbed!

Coming to a bend!

Another big stone torii gate in the distance!

It proved to be just another torii gate to encourage you climbing the stairs between the tall cedar trees!

This particular part of the stairs is called the “Goblin’s Climb”!

A bifurcation to the Shimizu Mountain!

That will be for the next time!

Way to the Atago Boulder Forest. We are in Kutsunoya machi, 3 Chome!

Stone lanterns guarding the entrance to another small shrine on the way!

Unusual shape!

I will have to check the mountain trekking possibilities soon!

A sacred tree, a shrine shed and a small park!

Three very ancient small shrines!

A remarkable old tree clinging to the slope!

The last flight of stairs!

In sight at last!

Atago Shrine!

The stone hand washing basin!

The proper way to wash your hands!

A shrine shed and an isolated stone lantern!

Familiar carvings on it!

A cloud and a mountain!

But no deer this time!

Festivals schedule!

The main shrine!

Well-preserved pinion!

The altar is a bit at the back!

Offerings!

A sponsor’s lantern!

The rice straw garland!

The roofing is in good repair in spite of the height!

Another beautiful pinion!

Back to the entrance!

Good-bye Atago Shrine!

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Japan, Photography, Shizuoka City

Abandoned Shizuoka: Ivy Chimney in Shizuoka City!

July 24, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

I was cycling around Yamato machi in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City when I espied a green column poking out of a cluster of houses and decided to investigate!

That is when I realized it was an old chimney completely overgrown with ivy!

Getting near enough was nigh impossible as it was completely surrounded with no open access to it!

It is positively enormous by Japanese standards and would cost a fortune to pull down.
The company in front seemed to have ceased business.
They must have used an incinerator at their back.

There was some kind of access for a better view with a flight of stairs but it was safely locked!

I tried to walk though the high grass covering the small lane to another side access to what seemed a house or shed.

Unfortunately the gate was safely locked and the whole place overgrown with the trees of an abandoned garden, especially loquat trees!

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Humor, Japan, Shizuoka City

Weird Japan (49): Dangerous Pixie Billboard in Shizuoka City (recently changed!)!

July 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

There is a famous and ancient knife shop in Gofuku Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City using a manga character depicting a cute female pixie carrying an enormous knife. on a billboard downstairs.
They have just changed it although the former picture can still be seen at the back of some local buses!

Now the pixie still in the same garb and a big knife tied around her back is displayed prancing around!

The stairs leading to the shop!

Note the three blades at the bottom right and her wooden clogs!

One more blade on her left (actually right!)!

Not only they sell all kinds of knives but they will also sharpen your old ones!

She is carrying along her own knives and whetting stone!

A very sharp smile!

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Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Architecture, Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Atago Shrine (愛宕神社) in Shizuoka City! Part 1

July 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The entrance to the long flight of stairs leading to it is located in Kutsunoya mchi in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

The whole area is clustered with very ancient cedar trees!

The entrance just opens behind the abandoned warehouse of former Inoue Sake Brewery!

They don’t really need this ugly new board sign!

The stairs are only beginning!

Last look back.
The rail is used for transport by the local farmers and the shrine attendants!

The stairs climb beside some abodes and small farms!

One of the local farms!

Very old stone stairs and buttresses!

A Buddhist altar and the first Shinto Shrine!

Plenty of history to read!

A deer often seen on such stone lanterns but the cloud has been hollowed out!

The mountain and the cloud in relief!

This little shrine goes by the name of Raigu (来宮)!

It has its own hand-washing stone basin!

Not far up stands a very unusual torii gate!

It is a triple gate, very probably the only one in the Prfecture!

Such a triple gate is called a “Miwa torii” (三輪鳥居)!

But it will need repair soon!

Two foxes guard it, so it must be an “Inari Shrine” (稲荷神社)!

They seem to guard the offerings!

beside the bigger triple torri gate stand two small altars with a minuscule torii gate!
The name of this shrine apparently is “Kinpei Shrine” (金平神社)!

To be followed…

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Cafes, Cakes, Shizuoka City

Patisserie & Salon de The HANAI in Shizuoka City!

July 23, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Chef Takuya Hanai/花井拓也さん last year in October finally moved to the present location, not far from where his previous shop called “Taky’s” was standing. His clientele just had to move a bit further.
The difference between Taky’s and HANAI is the available pace!

Instead of a single floor, HANAI stands on two floors with the Patisserie downstairs and the Salon de The/Cafe Restaurant upstairs!

If you want your cakes with a drink upstairs instruct Takuya’s sous-chef, Mr. Sano, and it will be taken up!
The cakes are essentially seasonal with some regular classics. Cakes can be prepared on order for private parties and the like!

Great view on the professional kitchen!

Not only cakes but also succulent biscuits are available!

More confectionery include pound cakes and madeleines!

Can you spot the superb choux and eclairs?

Don’t miss the fruit jellies and fancy desserts!

The seating is really functional with a large table, smaller table and a counter!

Wines, beer and more available all day!

A lovely corner for lovebirds or privacy!

The place is light and so clean!

A busy kitchen, especially at lunch time!

Superb lunch sets!
No wonder Takuya’s clientele followed him along!

My order of the day with my coffee: Ginger and lime Mousse tart!
Separate article on the tasting coming after this article!
Expect quite a few tasting articles in the near future!

Have a good look at all the cute objets on your way out!

Salon de The HANAI

420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajjo, 2-10-23
Tel. 6 Fax: 054-255-2829
Opening hours: 10:00~20:00 (later if enough customers!)
Closed on Tuesdays
Parties (up to 25) welcome!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market in Shizuoka City: Including Shiira/Mahi Mahi!

July 22, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The recent typhoons and changeable weather of late had allowed me to look at the local fish available at Parche Fish Market inside Shizuoka JR Station but yesterday I finally could have a peek!