SErvice: Shy but smiling and very attentive
Equipment and facilities Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Traditional but inventive French Bistro cuisine with a twist. Very reasonably priced wine list
Veteran Chef Tshiharu Matsuura, after openingg such places as Villa d’Est Quisine, some time ago finally settled with his new venture, LA VARIE (pronouce “la varieh”) in the company of his wife. Located in a back street of Mizuochi Cho, not far from the Kitakaido Street about 30 minutes walk from Cenova Deaprtment Store, It stands in a very quiet laid back location but nonetheless came become very busy at lunch time. Evenings are comparatively quieter and more propitious to slow eating and drinking!
Talking of drinking a large selection of unusual bottles is available. But you can also order wine by the glass. As there are always 3 whites and 3 reds proposed on the menu, it is a god idea to start with a tasting set of them all, and later choose another glass if you are still thirsty!
Above is the white wine selection with names written on the paper napkin!
The same for the reds!
The menu featuring French bistro style and fusion bistro cuisine varies along the season and the products available, making visits different every time although some classics are constant!
The following pictures show what we had during two dinners in various companies!
Above is a French pate (should be called terrine, though!) de campagne!
Squid and octopus in tomato ajillos sauce and cheese gratin!
Raw seafood salad!
A Japanese bistro style karaage/deep-fired chicken and mixed herbs and spices powder garnish!
Mushroom spaghetti!
Meat pie and prawn crostini!
Another fresh seafood salad!
Squid and beans stew!
Marinated shrimps and vegetables salad!
Mushrooms and meat sauce pasta!
Pate de campagne and smoked ham plate!
Fresh fig crostini!
Roasted beef with fruit sauce and mashed potato!
Shiitake mushrooms crostini!
Don’t worry, desserts are also featured on the menu!
LA VARIE/食堂ラ・ヴァリエ
4200831 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Mizuochi Cho. 5-12
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~23:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only
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RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, 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, 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: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
SHIZUOKA GOURMET 