Chinese Gastronomy: Lamb Gyoza (dumplings) at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: easy-going and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom shared inside Den Bill Bldg.
Prices: reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Craft beer only. Home-made sausages!

The other I had the occasion to sample yet another of Ryousuke Ono/大野良輔さん’s creations!
Lamb gyoza!
Gyoza is the Japanese version of Chinese dumplings either fried or boiled.
The difference is that the meat inside contains lamb instead of pork with leeks, celery, Chinese cabbage among others!
Again, bear in mind that such treats are limited and you might have to wait some time before Ryousuke prepares the next batch!

They might come a bit more expensive than your cheap Chinese restaurant’s offerings, but they are bigger and heads and shoulders above in texture and taste!

They are full of beautiful juices and the bite excellent!
The perfect snack to go with a Golden Pale Ale by Aoi Brewing!

Will never tire of them for sure!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
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
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Mexican gastronomy, Sausages, Shizuoka City

Mexican Gastronomy: Mexican Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I had at last the occasion of sampling another hot-dog with a different sausage created by Ryousuke Ono/大野良輔さん at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho!
Bear in mind that these sausages are always limited, but if you have missed them, either you wait for the next batch or you go BECK Co, Ltd.’s new bar, Beer Junkie Motel which will open on March 1st!

Mexican Hot Dog enjoyed with a glass of Semi Double IPA by Ushitora Brewery (Tochigi Prefecture!)

The Mexican sausage recipe is a secret but Ryousuke condescended to admit that it contained oregano, garlic, jalapenos, salt, pepper and pepper!
Served with a salsa sauce!

Superb bite and really tasty!
Not that hot, actually, but really satisfying!
A true home-made sausage, definitely off the beaten tracks!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

BEER GARAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Nagoya City

Nagoya Craft Beer Tasting: Y-Market Brewery- Hibiscus Abbey

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

AOI BEER STAND owned by Aoi Brewery in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, has the merit to offer on tap other craft beers from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan, but you do have to hurry as they usually served only one keg before switching to another brew!

This time I sampled an intriguing craft beer by Y-Market Brewery in Nagoya City called Hibiscus abbey made with hibiscus flowers (the buds, actually, also called Roselle!)!

Served on tap
Barley, barley malt, hibiscus, hop, live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Short head. Pinkish.
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Reddish pink
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Flowers. Hibiscus
Taste: Very refreshing, dry and fruity attack.
Very light but lingers long enough for true tasting.
Flowers, hibiscus.

Overall: very intriguing but refreshing craft beer for all seasons! Definitely higher level than a simple thirst quencher.
Will please ladies in particular with its soft, discreet, fresh and elegant approach!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Tochigi Prefecture

Tochigi Prefecture Craft Beer Tasting: Ushitora Brewery-Semi Double IPA

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

This time I sampled Semi-Double IPA by Ushitora Brwewery in Tochigi Prefecture!
The name “semi doible” eans that it is a bit stronger than a normal IPA!

Served on tap
Barley, barley malt, hop, live yeast.
Unfiltered
ABV: 7.9%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Creamy. Longish head. White.
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: apricot color
Aroma: assertive, dry and refreshing. Citruses, lemon.
Taste:Strong, dry and fruity attack. Citruses, lemon, bread.
Lingers on long enough for true tasting before departing with more dry lemons and aroma hops.
Stays faithful to first impressions all the time.

Overall: Splendid dry and fruity IPA!
Extremely refreshing and satisfying.
A craft beer for all seasons and occasions.
For lovers of dry craft beers

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Kyoto, Phillip harper, sake, Sake Brewery

Kyoto Sake Tasting: Kinoshita Brewery-Tamagawa Kounotori by Phillip Harper (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

February 26, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

But this time we conducted the tasting of a sake made faraway form Shizuoka Prefecture, namely from Kyoto!
The name of the Brewery is Kinoshita Brewery and the name of the sake is Tamagawa Kounotori.
Konoutori means Japanese crane and part of the sales of that particular brand goes to their preservation!

The label on the bottle and its contents would be sufficient reasons to acquire but know it was created by the only foreign master brewer in Japan, namely Phillip Harper!
Do check this site for a short introduction of Phillip Harper who has become a household name in the closed word (but rapidly opening of late!) of sake brewers!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice polished to 77%
Alcohol: 15~15.9 degrees
Yeast: Kinoshita Brewery yeast
Dryness: + 10
Acidity: 1.7
Amino acids: 1.5
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive. Dry and fruity. Sherry, oak and other woods, acorns
Body: fluid
Taste: Very dry, clear and neat attack backed by some petillant.
Complex. Nutty, chestnuts, dry apricots and persimmon with late hints of dry coffee beans.
Lingers on like a dry white wine or dry sherry contrary to most great sake.
many new facets tend to surge very late with further sips.

Overall: very intriguing sake.
At room temperature drinks like a dry sherry.
Very nutty. Lingers on inside palate for a surprising long time showing more facets.

Suggested pairings: Chilled with oysters and banya cauda
At room temperature with cheese, nuts chocolate.
Lukewarm or warm with himono/dried fish

Will please both genders but particularly ladies for its similarity to an elegant dry sherry.
Would surprise quite a few people if served at a party or dinner in glass with no explanation whatsoever!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00 (~20:00 on Sundays and Holidays)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Numazu City, sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery-Hakuin Masamune Yamahai Junmai

February 22, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I felt it was about grand time I tasted this year’s Yamahai Junmai by Takashima Brewery in Numazu City as it is increasingly being recognized all over Japan!

A great place to taste such a nectar is A Votre Sante in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Cha Machi, not nly because you can buy and taste it on site by the glass but also combine it with a superb cheese such as the Sakura, a splendid raw cow’s milk cheese created in Hokkaido!

kazutaka Takashima/高嶋一孝, a 34-year old brew master is steadily becoming the focus of many sake pundits all over Japan as witnessed by his regular appearances in top magazine, and the name “Hakuin Masamune/白隠正宗” has become a must in sake tasting events! When it comes to Yamahai he is simply heads and shoulders above everyone thanks to passionate research and incredible dedication.

Rice: Ginfukuyuki/吟吹雪
Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.5
Bottled in February 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: assertive and fruity. Cherries, marshmallow, macadamia nuts
Body: fluid
Taste: well-rounded and Very fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. Macadamia nuts, almonds, dark chocolate, dark cherries.
Lingers only for a while before departing with more nuts, custard and dry milk coffee.
Varies little with food but for a sweeter note with more milk coffee.
The dark cherries tend to make an insistent comeback with every sip.

Overall: A superb sake in spite/or because of its yamahai status.
Very complex with ever-changing facets. Will stump many a sake sommelier!
Eminently enjoyable on its own, although I have to confess it will become difficult to eat cheese without it!
The perfect present for a sake lover away from Shizuoka Prefecture!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Junmai Ginjo “Abe No Shizuku” Nama

February 21, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kumpai brewery is the smallest brewery is the smallest one in Shizuoka Prefecture and it is not always easy to find their brews unless you are ready to cycle all the way to the other side of Shizuoka City!

But htey are well worth the search!
This particular one, a Junmai ginjo called “Abe No Shizuku” has been a real long seller!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Fukui Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness : + 2.5
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: assertive,fruity and dry. melon
Body: fluid
Taste: well-rounded dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. melon, dry apricots, macadamia nuts.
Disappears quickly on deep note with melon and hints of oranges and nuts with a late appearance of coffee beans.
Tends to become a lot sweeter with later sips as its temperatures rises with the environment.
Varies little with food but for a drier note and more coffee beans.

Overall: very satisfying dry sake with loads of fruit.
Tends to reveal more facets along the tasting.
Very elegant for a dry sake. Drinks easily.
Marries superbly with any food.
A sure value!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese Half Beak

Japanese Fish Species 17: Japanese Half Beak

February 20, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Japanese Half beak or “Sayori” is a very popular fish in Japan as sashimi or sushi.

Although difficult to dress, it is much appreciated for its “clean look”.

It is also known unde the names of “Hariuo”, “Kannuki”. The latter name is used for large sprcimen sold in the Tokyo area.
It is mainly caught between Winter and Summer, but the best specimens are before and after the spawning season in April~June.
The Japanese sayori mainly come from the shores of Mie, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Hiroshima and Wakayama Prefectures.
It is also imported from China, Korea and Australia.

One can easily buy it filletted at suoermakets and fishmongers, making for some beautiful sashimi!

It makes for superlative sushi open to all kind of variations!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

GRACE WINE Co, Shizuoka City, Wine tasting

GRACE WINE Co. (Yamanashi Prefecture) Wine Tasting Party at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

February 19, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Wednesday February 18th saw the visit of Mr. Katsunori Kaneko/金子克憲さん, The Sales Executive of GRACE WINE Co (Grace Winery) for a wine tasting party organised by Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さんat La Sommeliere Wines & Sake Bar in Miyuki-Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

La Sommeliere entrance!

GRACE WINE Co. was founded in 1923 in Katsunuma Cho, Yamanashi Prefecture and is presently managed by the 4th generation in the person of Shigekazu Misawa/三沢茂計さん and the 5th generation in the name of his own daughter, Ms. Ayana Misawa/三沢彩奈さん.

Some of the tables for the lucky 17 guests counting wine specialists and wine lovers from every part of Shizuoka City!

The “GRACE WINE Flag”!

The party was professionally organised with a computerized video projector!

My seat where I was not only eating and tasting but also writing and using my small computer!

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa, Mr. Katsunori Kaneko and qualified staff posing for posterity!

Mr. Katsunori Kaneko conducting a last tasting in airs with the meal of the day!

Last preparations!

Mr. Katsunori Kaneko introducing Grace Wines and the winery to a captivated audience.
Grace Wines are steadily getting recognition abroad, in Singapore in particular!

Busy taking notes!

The first wine of the evening!
White “Koushhu/甲州”!
Koshu is a native grape which has been known for 1,000 years in the Village of Katsunuma giving a white wine which truly deserves the name of Japanese wine.
The aroma is very assertive, pleasant and fruity thanks to maturing process “sur lies”.
Very fresh and light attack.

The first dish was a “Na no Hana no O-hitashi”, rape seed flowers prepared in Japanese-style light broth.

The second wine was a more familiar white wine as it was made with Chardonnay grapes.
Very similar in aroma and taste to the better kinds of Chardonnay found all over the world.

Our second dish was a plate of new potatoes boiled in broth and served with dried cherry shrimps and finely chopped scallions!

Our third wine was an intriguing old white wine made in 2002 called Cuvee Misawa.
It has a beautifully rich golden color and tasted like a dry sherry although it was made with Chardonnay grapes only.

We drank for the sake of it waiting for the fourth wine and the accompanying dish!

Our fourth wine was simply called “Merlot” as it was made with Merlot grapes at the rate of 85%.
A typical Merlot grape wine, pleasant and easy to drink, although still a bit young.

The dish for the Merlot, typically French in concept!

Couscous and beans salad!

Extravagant marcassin terrine (wild boar cub) by Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki/川崎芳範さん of KAWASAKI Restaurant in Shizuoka City.
The marcassin had been shot in the wild at the foot of Mount Fuji by Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki/川崎芳範さん who owns a hunting license!

The dessert wine and dessert concocted by mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa!

A dessert Port-style wine called “Shuugoro no Vin/周五郎のヴァン” after the writer Shuugoro Yamamoto!
Very pleasant port-style wine with lots of fruit, especially prunes!

With a beautiful Tiramisu to finish the wine tasting party in beauty!

Incidentally I will conduct a more precise tasting of these wines later in the year, so keep tuned!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 12:00~18:00 on Sundays & National Holidays
FACEBOOK (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka City, sushi, Sushi bars

Sushi Restaurant: Whalemeat and others at Uogashi Sushi in Asty, Shizuoka City!

February 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: A bit shy but very friendly
Equipment & Facilities:: Very clean overall. Shared washroom in Asty very clean and modern
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Hot meals also served. Good sake list

Uogashi Sushi/魚がし鮨 is the major sushi restaurant chain in Shizuoka Prefecture ( a total of 40+ establishments including those at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya), but with a big difference: most of the fish and seafood are local, especially from Numazu Harbor where the company started. Expect the freshest quality at very reasonable prices!
You will find this particular restaurant in the ASTY Corridor inside Shizuoka JR Station.
I would advise you to choose a seat at the counter (the prices are the same everywhere!) just inside on the right as it is non-smoking and at a far enough distance from the smokers’ seats!

Since they have 5 or 6 of them at all times, ask for a local sake!
Although it was lunch time I had this “Karakuchi/Dry” by Fuji-Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City. Report coming soon!

The interesting thing in this particular establishment is that they serve whale meat in at least 7 different fashions!

Whalemeat sushi nigiri!

Whalemeat sashimi plate!

Served with grated ginger and finely chopped scallions you dip together in soy sauce!

Whalemeat brochettes/”kujira Kushi Yaki”!

The meat has a solid bite, very similar to beef!

Among the specialties from Shizuoka Prefecture, raw “shirasu” is a must!

These are the whiting of a variety of sardine called “kata kuchi iwashi” in Japanese!
Raw, it is usually served with grated ginger and finely chopped scallions!

Another glass of sake! Garyuubai by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

This particular fish can be very dangerous if you mistake it for the wrong variety! Globe fish or puffer, called “fugu” in Japanese!

No need to dip it in soy sauce as it is served already seasoned with momijioroshi/grated daikon with chili powder and jelly!

Now, this particular dish makes use of two Shizuoka specialties!
It’s called Sakura Ebi Tororo Age!

“Sakura ebi” stands for “Cherry shrimps” caught off the Suruga Bay shore.
“Tororo” stands for “grated Japanese yam”!
“Age” stands for “Deep-fried”!

Tamago Yaki for dessert, of course!

Expect more visits as I haven’t exhausted the whalemeat menu yet!

UOGASHI SUSHI/魚がし鮨
ASTY SHIZUOKA RESTAURANT (West Asty)
420-0851 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane, 47 (inside Shizuoka JR Station)
Tel.: 054-286-2276
Opening hours: 11:00~22:30 (last orders until 21:30)
Closed on January 1st
Credit cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka CityShizuoka

German Gastronomy, Sausages, Shizuoka City

German Gastronomy: Thuringer Wurst Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 15, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

I visited AOI BEER STAND yesterday in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City for a double whammy!

First of all I had a “Mass” of Shizuoka Golden Ale whi will disappear before today as this was the first and last batch! For the memory (ies), then!

The other good thing, but a lasting one, is that they are starting serving hot dogs again!

The reason for the hot dogs is that Beck Co. which owns AOI BEER STAND, Aoi Brewing, Beer Garage, Growstock and soon Beer Junkies Motel make their own sausages!

Some will say: “Hang on! Hot dogs are American!”
Maybe, but the concept of the sausage is not!

This is one of the seven home-sausages BECK Co. serves in its establishments.
They will be changed regularly at AOI BEER STAND incidentally!
It’s a herb sausage in “Thuringer Wurst/Thuringer (formerly East Germany) Sausage!

Instead of fried onions, they serve it with fried sauerkraut (preserved cabbage) and seed mustard to which you can add ketchup or/and soft mustard!
The sausages have a great bite, a very complex taste and plenty of satisfaction in store.

Actually I’m planning on interviewing staff while preparing them soon!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

BEER GARAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Aoi Brewing, Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Yakima Valley Pale Ale

February 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing Co. has come up with yet another new craft beer!
This time it has a strong link with the USA as it used a hop made in Yakima valley, Washington State, a region that produces 75% of all hop grown in The USA!

Yakima Valley Pale Ale!

Served on tap
Barley Australian Galaxy hop, Willamette hop, Maris Otter malt, Crystal Hop
ABV: 4.7 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: deep orange color
Bubbles: long head. Very fine bubbles, creamy. slightly orange White.
Aroma: light, bread, yeast
Taste: refreshing and dry attack with plenty of welcome acidity which nonetheless disappears very quickly.
Bread, dry fruits, persimmon, hints of oranges.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
varies little with food.

Overall: A beer not great for refreshing yourself all year long, especially in the summer, but also excellent accompaniment to food, especially cold meat and cheese!
Definitely a long seller in the offing!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

BEER GARAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fukuoka, Japanese Gastronomy, sushi

Gastronomic Destination : Fukuoka (3): Sushi at Yoshida Fishmonger in Fukuoka City!

February 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very friendly if a bit shy
Equipment: old but clean overall. basic bu clean washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Traditional Japanese sushi inside fish monger’s shop

One interesting destination in Fukuoka City is a market called Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba/Yanagi Bridge Cooperative Market near Yanagi Bridge in Chuo Ku.
This is real local and traditional, almost a time-slip into japan of yore.
Go there for lunch.
Yoshida Fishmonger (吉田鮮魚店) is a small two storey-shop but easy to find thanks to the queue of local and foreign customers who are waiting to climb the stairs to the second floor where dishes ordered on the first floor can be enjoyed
The food is cheap and authentic.
Just forget the old setting and try to imagine yourself in a different era!

The prices are really good!
No wonder there were so many Chinese and Taiwanese customers!
The above is a mixed raw fish donburi!

Mentaiko/spicy cod roe and deep-fried fugu/globe fish, both Fukuoka City specialties!

The sushi set was really reasonable: 1340 yen for 10 nigiri!

When you think it included urchin and salmon roe, it would be difficult to imagine such prices in Tokyo or Kyoto, or even in Osaka!

And the local squid/ika was top-class!

Worth looking for!
Great value and authentic!

YOSHIDA FISH MARKET

〒810-0003 Fukuoka City, Chuo Ku, Haruyoshi 1-1-11 (inside Yanagi Bridge Market (Yanagibashi Rengou Ichiba)
Tel.: 092-781-5013 , 092-761-3212
Opening hours: 06:00~18:00
Closed on Sundays and national holidays
RELATED JAPANESE HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

American Gastronomy, BLUE BOOKS Cafe, Shizuoka City

American Dessert: New York Baked Cheese Cake at BLUE BOOKS Cafe in Shizuoka City!

February 12, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, smiling and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Superb washroom in same building separated from the cafe.
Prices: Reasonable for such big servings!
Strong points: Very generous cafe/bistro multi-genred gastronomy. Great variety. Great products. Very modern atmosphere. Great books!

BLUE BOOKS Cafe is located in a very practical place in Shizuoka City at the very corner of Egawa Street and Miyuki Cho Street inside DEn Building.
You just can’t escape from it as you walk downtown!

Quince flower arrangement!

The place is both cosy and convivial whether you are on your own or with company.
There are so many books to peruse through freely while enjoying the place at your ease and convenience.

The other day I visited the place on a cold day and an empty stomach as I had been too busy for lunch!
That is when I noticed some scrumptious-looking cakes in the show window!

New York Baked Cheese Cake!
Notwithstanding I’m French and that cheese cakes were originally conceived in Greece, I knew I had lost the fight against my American friends!

The set!

A very appetizing cake, indeed!

Served with orange sauce in its own jar and a sprinkle of raspberry coulis!

Perfectly baked on all sides!

A very solid cake in all its layers with the right and satisfying bite!
To be enjoyed a little at a time!

Perfect on a cold winter day!
Healthy cake, incidentally!

BLUE BOOKS CAFE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bldg 1F (5~10 minutes walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit, around the corner at the large crossroads)
Tel.: 054-280-7644
Opening hours: 11:00~14:30 (lunch), 14:30^17:30 (cafe), 17:30~23:00 (dinner)
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

French gastronomy, Shizuoka City, Wine Bar

Wine Bar Lunch: : Lavigne In Shizuoka City (3rd)!

February 11, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: smiling and very friendly
Facilities: overall very clean. Superb washroom. Entirely nonsmoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: French bio wines only by the glass or the bottle. Lunch.

La Vigne in Koya Machi, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, across from JR Shizuoka Station has just gone through a very welcome change!
First of all, apart from a beefed-up food menu they now offer a very reasonable lunch for Monday to Friday!
This was my third visit for such a lunch today on a cold day, even for Shizuoka City!

For once I couldn’t help order a glass of organic Mercurey red, a wine form my very hometown in Bourgogne, France!

This time lunch set!

The side dish consisted of home-made pickles, seared Italian salami, olive and semi-dried tomato and seafood salad in urchin sauce!

From another angle. Great local natural yeast bread, too!

Beef stew!
Real comfort food!

Once again very reasonable (less than 7 Euros or 8 US $!), satisfying and yummy!

LA VIGNE SHIZUOKA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 17-2.
Tel.: 054-205-4181.
Opening hours: 10:00~22:00 (11:00~20:00 on Sundays & national Holidays)
Lunch: (800 yen) Monday~Friday, 11:30~14:00
Cards OK
Entirely Non-Smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

SHIZUOKA GOURMET

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Chinese Gastronomy: Lamb Gyoza (dumplings) at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

Mexican Gastronomy: Mexican Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

Nagoya Craft Beer Tasting: Y-Market Brewery- Hibiscus Abbey

Tochigi Prefecture Craft Beer Tasting: Ushitora Brewery-Semi Double IPA

Kyoto Sake Tasting: Kinoshita Brewery-Tamagawa Kounotori by Phillip Harper (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery-Hakuin Masamune Yamahai Junmai

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Junmai Ginjo “Abe No Shizuku” Nama

Japanese Fish Species 17: Japanese Half Beak

GRACE WINE Co. (Yamanashi Prefecture) Wine Tasting Party at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

Sushi Restaurant: Whalemeat and others at Uogashi Sushi in Asty, Shizuoka City!

German Gastronomy: Thuringer Wurst Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Yakima Valley Pale Ale

Gastronomic Destination : Fukuoka (3): Sushi at Yoshida Fishmonger in Fukuoka City!

American Dessert: New York Baked Cheese Cake at BLUE BOOKS Cafe in Shizuoka City!

Wine Bar Lunch: : Lavigne In Shizuoka City (3rd)!