All posts by dragonlife

Robert-Gilles Martineau hails from Bourgogne/Burgundy, France and presently resides in Shizuoka/Japan

French Bistro, French Cuisine, LA VARIE, Shizuoka City

French Bistro Cuisine Dinners (2) at LA VARIE in Shizuoka City!

December 3, 2019 dragonlife 1 Comment

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
GOOGLE

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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

Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurant, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Italian Gastronomy: Dinner at Il Dritto in Shimada city!

December 2, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Kind, attentive and very informative
Equipment and facilities: Overall spotless clean. Superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: inventive modern Italian cuisine making use of many local products. Interesting and reasonable Italian wine list including wines from Kumamaoto Prefecture!
Doubles up a gastronomic bar in the evening!

Succulent and elegant Italian cheese amuse!

I have always thought that Shimada City deserved better when it came to food. They are already blessed with some of the best sake in Japan and when it comes o Japanese gastronomy they are blessed with a couple of very good restaurants/izakaya. But when it came to Western cuisine they definitely missed higher class Italian Restaurant.
Now, they have it with the arrival of Il Dritto a few months ago!

Check he specials of the day!

It is not only a restaurant but also a wine bar (with food if desired) at a small counter until last orders at 22:00!
Otherwise it does not sit so many guests,and I recommend to reserve in advance unless you want to try your luck at opening time at 18:00. As for the week ends it is definitely crowded!
This was our first visit so I don’t know what happens at lunch time on week ends but you expect crowds and single set menus!

As for the evenings it is real fun reading and choosing from the menu board!
Do take your time! You will discover a very interesting fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine definitely served in the Italian fashion, I would say high fashion!

I know some Italian friends who would be very intrigued and tempted by the “Aburi Ankimo/Hal grilled monkfish liver”
A real fusion creation using ankimo/monkfish liver first steamed the japanese way and then slghtly grilled served an Italian-concept fish sauce! Very, very unusual which the the creative talent of young owner chef Daisuke Hirabayashi

Of course the herb bread is exclusively home-baked!

Aburi/haf grilled Sanma/Pacific saury wits liver sauce and fine vegetables!

Another fine marriage of Japanese and Italian cuisine!
Pacific saury is a Japanese fish par excellence and again my Italian friends are in for another surprise!

Kumamomoto Prefecture Horsemeat Carpaccio!
As a frenchman I just couldn’t ignore that morsel! Mind you, my Italian friends will have a pleasure to dispute that!
Smiling Owner Sommelier Megumi Hirabayashi shy (Daisuke’s wife) actually hails from Kumamoto Prefecture and you can expect some rare wines from her own Prefecture!

Talking of wines we had this reasonably-priced and very fine Valpolicella!

We had a bit of a fight to choose either pasta or risotto for our visit, but I lost the jankenpon/stone paper scissors and we opted for this beautiful seafood pescatore linguine with prawns, squid, scallops and cockles!
Don’t have to mention the little ensuing fight! LOL

Consequently I was “allowed” to choose one of my favorites for the next dish: Roasted duck breast with red wine sauce and fine vegetables! A dish that has made the French and Italian friends forever! LOL

It was time for dessert, then? Then, what did I choose to satisfy my male chauvinistic preference?

Hazelnut Catarana!
Who said the Italian are limited when it come to dessert? So sweet! corny comment, sorry!)

My only regret? I could sample all the dishes!
But I will have my revenge soon!

IL DRITTO
Owner Chef: Daisuke Hirabayashi
Owner Sommelier: Megumi Hirabayashi

427-0022 Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimada City, Hontoori, 1-9-1,Marichi TAC 1F
Tel: 0547-330790
Opening hours:
Lunch 12:00~14:00 8 Saturdays and Sundays only)
Dinner: 18:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays and 4th Tuesday
Credit cards OK
GOOGLE

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Cakes, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka City, Uncategorized, Vegan Dessert, Vegan Gastronomy, Vegan Restaurant

Vegan Cakes at LOCOMANI in Shizuoka City!

November 30, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly although a bit shy!
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Inventive vegan menus. Healthy rice flour cakes.Mainly local products.

The other day I decided to visit my good friends at LOLCOMANI in Shizuoka City for coffee and cakes in the afternoon as lunches are always impossibly crowded, especially with ladies wishing for a healthy lunch offered by this reference vegan restaurant (I am no vegan, but I can appreciate from time to time, and it is always a pleasure to introduce it to my vegan friends!).
As for the cakes they tend to vary with the seasons and ingredients available, so make a point to check them beforehand.
If you cannot read the Japanese menu the owner’s wife will make it her pleasure to explain it in simple English!
As for the drink menu there is plenty to choose from the organic coffees and tea and the home-made vegan fruit drinks!

Chocolate cake!
All cakes are basically made with rice flour in case of some clients being wheat flour allergic!

For a better view with its soymilk cream and sweet nuts sauce!

Organic Coffee!
Actually LOCOMANI’s teas and coffees are well above average, although a bit weak for some, but well-balanced and tasty!

Half cakes set!
LOCMANI have a policy to have their clients taste as many of their cakes as possible. So instead of ordering a full serving of one cake, you can combine two half servings for better enjoyment!

Chiffon cake!

Fruit cake!

For vegans and others with a sweet tooth but mindful of their health!

LOCOMANI
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 1-10-6
Tel.: 054-260-6622
Opening hours 11:30~18:00 (11:30~15:00 0n Sundays)
Closed every Wednesday and one Monday
HOMEPAGE/BLOG (Japanese)
GOOGLE MAP

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Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese Restaurant, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba, Tempura

Soba, Tempura & Local Products at Yuriyama in Ikumi, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

November 30, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment: Overall very clean. excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Home-made soba/buckwheta noodles, tempura, and local farmers’ products

The other day a good friend of mine, Mayumi, owner of the Flower Shop Pepiement in Shimada City, was kind enough to drive (look at bus access below) drive me to an authentic local farmers restaurant and shop called Yamayuri/Mountain Lily up the road leading to Ikumi in the northern part of Shimada City. I already had the occasion to use this same bus twice up to its final stop and I would definitely suggest anyone to take and discover the true back country of japan with all kind of quaint sites!

The shop alone is worth the trip!
Better come early to pick the best choice of local seasonal vegetables and fruit!

And don’t miss all the home-made jams, preserves, pickles and discover the tastes of real rural Japan!

The restaurant is just left past the entrance!

Place the orders before entering the restaurant! Even you do not understand Japanese the menus are explained with pictures. Just point and pay beforehaand!

The local vegetables used in the dishes of the day!

The restaurant includes a soba classroom!
Even if you only wish to eat there taking pictures is welcome!

More pictures depicting the activities of the day inside the restaurant!

Hot soba!
Of course the soba are made afresh every day!

Cold soba!

I could not resist their gyoza!
Actually excellent and light and tasty!

Cold soba mounted with fresh hot tempura!

The tempura might look rough (don’t forget this farmer’s wife cooking!) but you can’t beat the taste of fresh local vegetables! A delicacy for vegetarians!

If you have a day off do combine the restaurant and shop with a slow trip in the midst of rural Japan!

Address: 427-0232 Shizuoka Prefefecture, Shimada City, Ikumi, 5202 (access by car or Ikumi Sem Midosawa Yuki/伊久身線御堂沢行き community bus line every hour from Shimada Station north exit. Get off at Yamayuri/やまゆり bus stop. First bus leaving at 7:00, last at 20:00, return bus first at 6:14, last at 18:54. Count 40 minutes trip. Only 8 buses a day!)
Tel.: 0547-39-0193
Opening hours: 10:00~16:00 (better check on the phone first!)
Closed on Thursdays and Fridays (open on Fridays in August)
Soba/Buckwheat noodles preparation classes, Table BBQ, Ground Golf, Farmer’s wife cooking class, etc.
GOOGLE MAP
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
FACEBOOK
CHECK IKUMI’S FACEBOOK!

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Hokkaido One Cup Sake Tasting 1: Nihon Seishu Brewery Chitose Branch-Chitosetsuru Hakodate Gagyuzan

November 19, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

i found this one cup sake the other day during my visit in Hakodate, Hokkaido Island!

Although this label is usually sold in Hakodate only the Brewery is actually from Sapporo, namely the Nihon Seishu Brewery but this particular brand, ChitoseTsuru is brewed in their branch brewery in Chitose, not far from the Chitose International airport!

The label depicts Gyaguzan, one of the most, if not most famous night view in Hakodate City!

Rice: various rice from Japan
Dryness: + 1
Acidity: 1.3
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in June 2019

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: strong. plums
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and smooth attack. Drier than expected. Plums, persimmons, nuts. Lingers for a while on the tongue and palate Does not noticeably change with food but for a little more acidity. Tends to finish on drier note.
Overall: Straightforward sake. Not a premium but quite enjoyable actually if you like solid uncomplicaed brews.
Recommended pairings: Izakaya fare, heavy foods, BBQ, grilled fish.

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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
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
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-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Izakaya, Japanese sake, Kasai, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yakitori

Yakitori and Kushiyaki, and Shizuoka Sake at KASAI in Shizuoka City!

November 13, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

SErvice: shy but very friendly and always ready to explain everything!
Equipment and facilities: ery clean overall. Excellent washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points high standard traditional yakitori and kushiyaki with some superb surprises in stock! Superb sake list especially from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Kasai has long been an establishment of reference in our City of Shizuoka and deservedly so!
Not only they serve traditional yakitori and kushiyaki of high quality but at reasonable prices but they also pride themselves as serving mainly many local products, be they meat or vegetables, and especially a wide range of great Shizuoka sake!
The other day I had the occasion to visit the place in the company of two Canadian/Quebecqois clients who were very keen to sample local gastronomy after a visit of our wasabi and tea fields! They certainly were not disappointed and surprised the owner with their ferocious appetite!

We started by tasting our first sake from Shizuoka Prefecture right away; Isojiman Ginjyo from Yaizu City!
Note that the sakes were chosen by the owner-chef!

Ｗe started with this set: asparagus and bacon rolls and “circles” of shiso and pork!

Also Isojiman from Yaizu City but this time a Junmai Ginjyo!

More asparagus and bacon rolls and large prawns rolled in thin slices of pork!

This came as a “service”, thin slices of new celery with cream sauce and shaved cheese!

And it was time to taste our sake: Garyubai Junmai Ginjyo by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

The next dish might surprise newcomers to Japan! Extra beef brochettes/kushiyaki, again asparagus rolled in bacon and Shizuoka Wagyu Beef brochettes!
Shizuoka Prefectures has no less than 12 state-labeled wagyu farms! No need to go anywhere else in Japan!

Some dishes just have to tried twice or more! LOL

Geso/squid tentacles, large prawn rolled in thin slices of pork and extra beef!

Two more Shizuoka wagyu brochettes and a specialty of the house: tomato and pork rolls!

Our final Shizuoka Prefecture sake: Karakaze karakuchi junmai ginjyo by Hana no Mai Brewery in Hamakita Ku, Hamamatsu City!

And for the finish Kasai-style exploded chicken wings yakitori!

The nly problem is that I will have to write another blog to introduce all the dishes and sakes we had not tasted!

KASAI420-0029 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tagiya cho, 29-24
Tel.: 054-273-3236
Opening hours: 17:30~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards ok
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
GOOGLE MAP

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Sushi and Sashimi Lunch at Maguro Ichigo In Shimizu Fish Market, Shizuoka City!

October 12, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but very kind
Equipment and facilities: Overall very clean. Shared bathroom, old but clean.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: first class fish and seafood at very reasonable prices. Super fresh. Serves both raw and cooked fish!

The locals know it well but tourists do not seem to know yet the value of visiting a local fish market to enjoy super fresh fish and seafood at very reasonable prices all in an authentic atmosphere away form mannerisms and snobbery downtown.
In Shizuoka City the Shimizu Fish Market is the place! Very easy to find: get off at Shimizu JR Railway Station turn right in the direction of the harbor and use the overhang passage. Turn left to cross the road and go gown at the end. The fish market is two minutes away on foot on your right!

This particular fish market is known all over Japan for its tuna as this the largest tuna unloading harbor in Japan!
I do have to visit the place regularly for business or otherwise and my favorite restaurant is Maguro Ichigo/まぐろ一期!
Take your time to check the dish and cuisine models exhibited outside! They also have a menu in English on request!
It is a great place to visit alone or with family as they also serve scrumptious cooked food for people and especially children who don’t like raw food! Incidentally they offer a set for children, too!

I chose a set consisting of a tuna/maguro sushi bowl topped with all kinds of tuna and a sakuraebi kakiage/cherry shrimps fritter/ a local specialty with miso soup and pickles!

The maguro sushi bowl was topped with slices of akami/lean tuna, chutoro/semi fat tuna and negitoro/scraped tuna with pickled ginger! As for the price, unbeatable!

The cherry shrimps fritter!

My friend had a different set including a small sashimi plate!

A rarity in Japan: Simmered tuna tail!

It is only a small sample of the food and dishes available!
Come as a group and taste as many dishes as possible!

MAGURO ICHIGO/まぐろ一期
424-0823 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Shimazaki Cho, 149, Shimizu Fish Market, 1F
Opening hours: 9:30~17:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only

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Italian/French Gastronomy: Dinner at Kuraya Kato in Mochimune, Shizuoka City!

October 7, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall extremely clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: superlative Italian/cuisine making use of many local products!
Short but excellent wine lists at reasonable prices.

The name Kuraya Kato means that the restaurant was created by his owner/che3f, Mr. Kato, inside an ancient “kura/Japanese storehouse”, probably one of the biggest still existing in Shizuoka Prefecture!
It is actually of rare dimensions and the inside is simply spacious and beautifully redecorated conserving as much its original cachet as possible with all amenities, all wood and white walls. A very special place whose atmosphere is enough to invite you ther anytime. But the cuisine is simply extravagant, although at very reasonable prices!

Great attention to the olive oil and butter!
The table service is beautiful in its seemingly simplicity and helps you relax from the very moment you sit down at your table.
Bear in mind that all meals must be reserved in advance, but the place will open even for a single guest!

So comfortable in soft light surrounded by real wood!

A lot of attention attached to small details, making the difference!
Menus (to be decided on the phone or else while reserving) are based on full courses at varying prices. We opted for the 6,000 yen dinner, but you can require for more, citing your likes or dislikes!

Since Mochimune is a noted fishing harbor famous all over Japan expect some great fish for the starters!

Excellent sparkling wine for the occasion!

All bread is baked onsite!

Second starters!

Beautiful and elegant pasta (remember it is a starter back in Italy!)!

Unusual, reasonable and delicious red wine!

More home-baked bread!

First main dish: Shizuoka seabream sauteed with basil sauce, Italian style!

Second main dish: Shizuoka wagyu steak! No need to comment!

Beautiful classic dessert assortment combining French and Italian cuisines!

And coffee served as it should be!

Definitely among the very best in Shizuoka Prefecture!

KURAYA KATO
421-0122, Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 3-5-33 (ten minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station
Tel. 054-260-44959
HOMEPAGE
Lunches o reservations only only 11:00 am on the day
Dinners on reservations only minimum 24 hours in advance
Credit cards ok

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Haginishiki Brewery, Japanese sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Sake

Visit of Haginishiki Sake Brewery in Shizuoka City!

September 8, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Haginshiki Brewery for the least is an off the beaten tracks sake brewery for many reasons.
First it is located in Shuzoka City, a location in Japan super famous for its sake but which in spite of 27 breweries produces only 0.5% of the total national Japanese production making their sake rare outside the Prefecture!

It was founded in 1876 above its own natural water source in Suruga Ku, south of Shizuoka Station, but its long history could have ended with the untimely death of its owner, Yoshisaka Hagiwara at the age of 62 a few years ago. But his wife, Ikuko Hagiwara had already become a certified brew master and was consequently joined by her own daughter, Ayanao Hagiwara, another certified brewmaster, making it the only mother/daughter sake master brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture! I doubt there are many such cases in the whole Japan! The latter were joined by Ayano’s husband, Tomonori Hagiwara, himself hailing from a sake brewing family in Kyushu Ayano had met at university in Tokyo. Tomonori having married into the family insured a male heir to the old family! He does participate in the brewing but is more involved in the financial running of the brewery!

The water pump still extracting underground water to be used in the making of succulent sake! You can taste the water and I can tell you it is superb!

The traditional Shinto altar!
Although Ayano has introduced computers and high tech to the running of the brewery and repaired or installed some new equipment the whole place looks more like a small museum!

You definitely need a guide to explain the similarly disorder of the place!

The visit was conducted outside the brewing season but the enormous vats are there to be admired and touched!

The bottling and the labeling is still traditional as this is a small brewery not in need of bulky equipment. When they brew the sake the whole family pitches in with the help of some seasonal hands and intern students!

More vats of various sizes! They are not all used but since they are very valuable they stay in!

These smaller vats are for top premium sake!

Behind these doors the rice is being fermnted! Sorry, no visitors allowed inside!

These very valuables glass vats are used for the very best sake! They are used in the dripping filtering process, a long and precise operation. As they don’t make these anymore they are irreplaceable!

Past the very entrance you will discover the whole palette of their brews as they do accept visits and tastings!

This pic was taken when I took a party of Canadian tourists there for a full visit and tasting event!
As this is a small brewery where everyone is quite busy all year, such visits can be only organized on reservations only and this with plenty of warning!

HAGAINISHIKI/萩錦 BREWERY

Shizuoka City, Suruga KU, Nishiwaki, 381
Tel.: 054-285-2371

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Double Over Rice, Shizuoka City, Tequila's Diner

American Gastronomy: Double Over Rice Lunch at Tequila’s Diner in Shizuoka City!

June 30, 2019 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Shy but very attentive
Equipment and Facilities: Overall very clean. Superb toilets. “Veranda seats” by fine weather in warm season
Prices: Reasonable considering the size of the portions!
Strong points: Hamburgers and other American favorites

Slow food prepared on order!

Tequila’s Diner, although they have acquired fame far beyond our Prefecture, is not all about hamburgers, be it lunch or dinner!
They have super lass rice dishes including double over, triple over, dirty rice and garlic rice! Perfect for people who fancy a change from bread/buns and an easier way to eat basically the same food!

And don’t forget to check all the drinks available, especially the small fridge near the entrance full of canned craft beers!

My order of the day: Double Over Rice Avocado & Cheese!
Now, talking of cheese thus is definetly far better than some vauted places who served their fare with suparmrket sliced cheese! And the avocado is big and soft, the chips plentiful!
The patty is cut by knife everyday for a superb bite and grilled over charcoal! Extravagant!

Another (hamburger) article coming soon!

TEQUILA’S DINER

New address: 420-0037 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Hitoyoda Cho, 2-4-9
Tel.: 054-255-7595
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 18:00~23:30
Closed on Tuesdays
Credit cards OK for dinner on bills over 10,000 yen
Parties welcome!
GOOGLE MAP

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Cafe, Green Tea, Kakegawa City, Organic Tea, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yoshiharu Matsushita

Organic Green Tea Cafe: TEA TIME MARUHA by Yoshihara Matsushita in Kakegawa City!

June 26, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Smiling, kind ans very attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall spotless clean. Completely non-smoking
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Organic Green tea and gelato/ice cream!

Yoshiharu Matsushita/松下芳春さん (on the right) has been growing tea in organic fashion as long as he can remember and actively continues not only growing it but conducting continuous research to ever improve quality.
Some ten years he decided to reach more people and customers by opening a very original Cafe called Maruha near his faraway tea fields in Kakegawa City!

The concept has a multiple purpose. Not only it introduces customers to top class organic green tea, but it also offers a space to enjoy it at leisure in the middle of rural Japan!

It also sells utensils, souvenirs and history!

A very spacious cafe with direct view on Japanese nature!

The menu is short but solid: Maruha New Green Tea set with green tea biscuits and green tea gelato, Cold macha Shiruko Japanese dessert, Maruha Zensai Japanese dessert and two types of green tea gelato! And also 4 different tea milk shakes!

The gelato/ice cram on offer!

I ordered the new green tea set with green tea biscuits and matcha gelato!

Delicious matcha gelato!

And superb top class new green tea!

Definitely worth the drive!

TEA TIME MARUHA

436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 592
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Opening hours: 10:00~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
GOOGLE MAP

YOSHIHARU MATSUSHITA/松下芳春
Matsushita Tea Garden (JONA Certificated)
436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 181
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Fax: 0537-23-4331
Tea Fields direct phone number: 080-3468-7750
WEBSITE
E-MAIL: suppin@gmail.com

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California Diner JACKAL, Shizuoka City

American Gastronomy: American Hamburger at California Diner JACKAL in Shizuoka City!

June 25, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very attentive
Equipment and Facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: American hamburgers, Tex Mex cuisine, American craft beer and good variety of drinks.

This was my first visit because it had been recommended by an American friend of mine (from Mid West, not California! LOL). For me it was on he other side of town but I bravely rode my bicycle and reached the place 20 minutes later. It is a bit away from the hubbub of Shizuoka City but it has a car park and it is busy for both lunch and dinner!

The lay out is simple with a counter bar and tables and seats but comfortable enough.

I went there for lunch but night owls will be happy to learn that there a good enough variety of drinks from American craft beers to very powerful spirits !

The lunch menu! Only in Japanese but the language is the same! I am pretty sure they manage enough English for explanations!

As it was my first visit I kept my order simple: Cheese and bacon hamburger!

With one of my favorite American carft beers: Anchor Brewing!

Served with salad!

Plenty of French fries (chips in England!)!

The hamburger! Reall appetizing!

When it comes to eating a hamburger I do not follow “tradition”! I do not insert in a paper wrapping and eat it whole. I just like to to open it and it element by element!

Tasty meat with a good bite as it should be!

Now, there were many other tempting things on the menu! I surely don’t mind cycling again to sample the other tidbits!

CALIFORNIA DINER JACKAL

422-8007 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Ijiriisshiki, 421-3 (apparently it has moved to the present address recently!)
Tel.: 054-297-5018
Opening hours: 11:30~15:00, 17:30~23:00
Closed on Mondays (on Tuesdays if natiional Holiday)
GOOGLE MAP

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Japan, Kenta Birukawa, Shizuoka City, sushi, Sushi Art, Sushi Design, Sushi Millefeuille, Sushi Shokunin Birukawa

“AKITA” Sushi Millefeuille by Kenta Birukawa at Sushi Shokunin Birukawa in Shizuoka City!

June 24, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but extremely attentive and kind
Equipment & Facilities: overall very clean. Excellent washroom. Non-smoking private room possible
Prices: reasonable (that is for true sushi!)
Strong points: Sushi mainly created with local seafood. 3-year old wasabi root exclusively used. Grilled and deep-fried fish, tempura. Excellent list of sake and shochu.

The other day as usual knowing that the place would be full before 6pm I called beforehand at 5 and barely managed to grab two seats at the counter of Sushi Shokujin Birukawa Sushi Restaurant in Shizuoka City!
In spite of its location away from Shizuoka JR Station it is a busy place filled with faithful regulars. Nobody is privileged to their own seats so it is better to reserve or try your luck at opening time! That is unless the place is already fully booked!

Anyway, we once again challenged our good friend, chef Kenta Birukawa who moved some 16 years ago to Shizuoka from his native Akita Prefecture to another Sushi Millefeuille! It is not listed on the menu, but if you are recommended in person by your servant he will be happy enough to concoct you an original one according to your taste and priorities!

The “seafood side”!

Kenta’s Akita Prefecture is famous for its wild mountain vegetables and as he had just received some he included them in this millefeuille to call it “AKITA” Sushi Millefeuille!

All kinds of seafood on the top including tuna, seabream, sole and squid!

Plenty of fresh vegetables on one half of the sides!
One could easily make such a sushi millefuille a vegetarian one!

And so much more inside!
Did I mention that there were some more special “decoration side servings”? lol

Can’t wait for the next one!

SUSHI SHOKUNIN BIRUKAWA/寿司職人尾留川

420-0037 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Hitoyado-Cho, 2-5-8
Tel.: 054-251-9787
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations highly recommended
Credit cards OK

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Bars, Craft beers, Restaurants, Shizuoka City

Craft Beers and Tex Mex Gastronomy at Golden Nectar in Shizuoka City!

June 23, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom.
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Craft beers! Tex Mex gastronomy. Craft beer tasting sets/

Golden Nectar has deservedly established its name in Shizuoka City for a couple of years now, and it is increasingly becoming busy especially on week ends be it sunny or rainy!
It consists of a high stool bar counter where you can see all the craft beers served on the tap. Bear in mind they change regularly! I would advise to try a full sample drinking set of them!

Check the list of the day!

Tables are available for small groups and customers wanting more comfort or less exposure!

Now, it is not all craft beers on the tap but there are plenty of other American craft beers in bottles and cans inside the refrigerated display near the entrance! Choose your bottle or can and it will be served in glasses by the staff!. Pictures are welcome!

North Coast Brewing Acme IPA!

Aurora Koppyalis from San Diego!

Hazy Little Thing IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing!

Amarilla Gorilla IPA by Smog City Brewery!

Deftones Phantm Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery!

Another IPA by Smog City Brewing!

now, look at the menus! Plenty of salads for the health conscious!

My personal favorite, Texas caviar carefully made with local fresh vegetables and buritos!

As for food, I do have a suggestion: first go to loaded fries and choose the cheesy fries!

Scrumptious fries by themselves,…

But order them together with fish fritters!

And you have a Tex Mex fish and chips!

Excellent fried fish on its own, actually!
But check the rest of the menu!
Always something to discover!

GOLDEN NECTAR

420^0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogaecho, 2-16 (along the north side of Aoba Park Street/Aoba Kouen Doori!)
Tel.: 054-275-2759
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK
WEBSITE
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Mochimune, seafood

Local Seafood Bowls at Jiroumaru in Mochimune Harbour, Shizuoka City!

June 20, 2019 dragonlife 1 Comment

Service: rough but friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent shared washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Local seafood!

Mochimune and its harbour in Shizuoka City are going through a real revolution since CSA Estate Agents have taken on the task to renovate the whole harbour area, hotels, restaurants and even hotsprings!
One particular spot is the new Minato Yokocho/Harbour Alley sheltering all kinds of restaurants. Incidentally it will mean more articles!
At the very entrance of the alley is a restaurant specialising in local seafood bowls: Jiroumaru!

Tidbits served with some of the bowls!

Mochimune is the most famous shrasu/sardine whiting fishing harbor in Japan, so the shirasu will appear in many guises, but there are great produce of the sea!

During our last visit one chose the ‘susume donburi/Choice of the day donburi! It is served with miso soup and tidbits!

Featuring raw and cooked shirasu/sardine whiting, raw and boiled sakuraebi/Cherry shrimps, raw maguro/tuna, and tamagoyaki/ Japanese omelet!With chopped scallions, grated ginger and pickled ginger!

As for me I had an even more extravagant (but reasonably-priced!) Kakiage donburi/deep-fried seafood bowl with tidbits including pickles and boiled shirasu!

Perfect with a beer!

Enormous kakiage mainly including local sakuraebi and chopped vegetables!

Plenty more left to explore at day and at night!

JIROMAU

Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 2-11, Minato Yokocho Alley (in front of harbour)
Tel.: 054-2564956
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 11:00~14:00 on Tuesdays
Closed on Wednesdays

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