Category Archives: 野菜

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Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 2: Shizuoka City JR Station

November 13, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

What is this fish called at Parche Market inside Shizuoka City JR Station?
Scroll down for the answer!

Shizuoka City JR (Japanese railways) Station is a fairly big one, even by Japanese standards as it situated in the very middle of Japan and sees untold numbers of travelers!

North Exit!

Shizuoka City is divided into three distinct Wards: Aoi Ku in the North, Suruga Ku in the South, and Shimizu Ku in The East.
When I arrived in Shizuoka City in 1976 it was still a shambles of a station all wooden planks and steel frames. But in 1977 it saw its first face-lifting with the creation of Parche Department Store above the Station.

South exit!

Before Parche was open there was not communication between the north and south exits and you had to pay a platform ticket if you were in a hurry, but now, the exits are only 30 second walk from each other and that fact has helped develop the southern half of the city.
The station and its surroundings have since seen a lot of modifications resulting in a fairly modern and clean railway station.
It is worth visiting as it includes so many shops and stores.
I will spare you from the ubiquitous chain diners, coffee shops et al and show you what is worth a stop or at least the reason for it!

Great sandwiches at Subway, just on the right side of the northern exit. I know it is a big franchise chain but the vegetables used are local!

The Shizuoka Tourism Office on the north exit right between the two entrances.
English spoken there at least on weekdays!

The Shinkansen/Bullet Train Tracks Entrance!

The Tokaido Railway Line Tracks entrance!

There are many automatic tickets machines but you can buy and reserve your tickets at the Japan East Railway Line Ticket Booth. English spoken!

Or you could buy the same tickets and reserve tours at The Tokai Tours Company across. English spoken there, too!

You have many direct accesses to the Parche Department Store for all kinds of shopping on the 5 floors!

Bellmart Convenience store where you can buy English newspapers!

Let’s visit the right half of the ground (first) floor of the station first!
I recommend the fresh sandwiches at Cafe Danmark!

Soup Stock Tokyo. Great in winter!

Tokaiken Company Booth: Ekiben/Railway Lunch Boxes!
A must for a long travel as they sell more than a dozen different boxes all containing local food! A great way to discover the Shzuoka gastronomy!

The right side of the station is owned and administered by ASTY Company.
You can enter the complex through 3 different entrances.
Let’s go and see what’s inside!

GRAND SHOP selling all kinds of local food souvenirs!

Belgian Manneken Waffles!

Green Tea Madeleines at Laurier!

Bagels at Bagel & Bagel!

Traditional local Wagashi cakes called Abekawa Mochi!
Great for vegans!

Healthy Japanese food at Osozai Cafe!

Sumpu Raku Ichi!

This shop is a must visit as it sells food and crafts from Shizuoka City and its surroundings!

A multitude of local food souvenirs!

Enormous fresh wasabi with its stems and leaves!

Shizuoka Sake, beer and soft drinks!

the right prat of Sumpu Raku ichi Shop is dedicated to local crafts!

So many of them and regularly changing that it is worth a report of its own!

Saboten Restaurant/Shop for tonkatsu!

Traditional local Japanese gastronomy at Sunchuan Togeppou!
Arguably the best restaurant in the whole station!

Soba/buckwheat noodles restaurant!

Japanese restaurant specializing in Japanese seafood and fish gastronomy!

Japanese-style Western food at Tokyo Nashi Goren!

Coffee, cakes, biscuits, wine, cheese and what else at KALDI!

Some very interesting traditional Japanese apparels at Kyoto Raku Fu Shop!

Japanese izakaya: Roydo!

Hachokura Izakaya: Great local seafood!

Udon noodles and local sake!

Shizuoka and Nagoya-style ramen!

Non-smoking cafe: Platini!

Sankyu Izakaya serving oden and great Shizuoka sake!

Taisaku Izakaya: good seafood and Shizuoka sake!

Yoshineka Shop sells the best Shizuoka himono/sun-dried fish!
Did you know that Shizuoka Prefecture produces half of all himono in Japan?

Great bento there!

Umibouzu Izakaya: Great oden and Shizuoka sake there!

Now let’go to the left half of the edifice and enter Parche Shokuzaikan/Parche Food Market!
Even if you don’t buy anything, it is worth more than one good look!
So much true local food there!

Shizuoka Green Tea!

Shizuoka Wasabi and derived products!

Abekawa Mochi wagashi!

Compose your own sushi lunch there!

Japanese brochettes at Nihonichi!

Takoyaki/octopus dumplings at Takosen!

Organic food at Natural House!

Let’s enter the real (and large) supermarket!
Fruit and vegetables!

Dried and preserves seafood!

Very cheap and tasty sushi bento/donburi!

Great fresh fish and seafood market!
More than half is caught off Shizuoka Prefecture shores!

All these fish were caught in Shizuoka Prefecture!

The answer to the quizz:
Yagara/Trumpet fish caught in Suruga Bay!

One of the best meat delicatessen in town!

Great fried food at reasonable prices for immediate consumption!

Japanese traditional cakes!

Uogashi Conveyor Sushi restaurant!
Quite good for such a restaurant!

Raggenmeyer, an excellent bakery!

And don’t forget the flowers!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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: 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

美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 観光, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Life in Japan, Markets, Photography, Railway Stations, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 1: Shuzenji in Izu Peninsula!

November 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The only real Wasabi Shochu in the whole world by Bandai Brewery in Shuzenji!

If you wish to visit the Izu Peninsula, especially away from the beaten tracks, Shuzenji Station should be your starting point!
Wherever you come from in Japan or Shizuoka Prefecture, first go Mishima City and change trains from the JR Railway Line to the Private Izu Hakone Senzu Line which will take you all the way to Shizenji, its final destination.
Shuzenji is a, if not the, major hubub in Izu Peninsula whose hot springs have been famed for unknown centuries.

Shuzenji Hot Springs sign in front of the station.

But when it comes to discover and buy local products for really original gifts and souvenirs, Shuzenji Station is the best place as it provides for all in small enough space to enjoy browsing!
Let me take you on a quick tour!

Shuzenji Station seen from the outside.

What’s that small food booth by the entrance?

Local ekiben/railway bentos, 7 of them! A must for your meal on your way back!

There are two entries to the shop. Pick yours!

But you are already hungry?
No problem, there is a hot food stand inside the souvenir shop!
Once you feel revived, we can start shopping!

Izu Peninsula is by definition is surrounded by the sea. Now, how about some nori/dry seaweed seasoned with wasabi? Incidentally, Shizuoka Prefecture produces no less than 80% of the whole Japanese wasabi crop!

The shop is full of artifacts to remind you this is wasabi land! (actually the second land in Shizuoka Prefecture, as wasabi was first grown in Utougi/有東木 in Shizuoka City!)

When it comes to wasabi related processed products, it is just an embarrassment of choices!

Now, something for the vegans and vegetarians, Kuromai Daifuku/Black Rice Buns/黒米大福, Soba Daifuku/そば大福, Mame daifuku/Soy Beans Buns/豆大福 and more!

Jam Sticks made with fruit cultivated in Izu Peninsula whose fruit is another major product!

For vegans and vegetarians again: Kuromai Udon/黒米うどん/Black Rice Udon, and Shizenjyou Soba/自然薯/Wild Yam Soba!

More wasabi-related processed products!

Japanese sake line-up (of the more reasonable prices) from Bandai Brewery, the only sake brewery in Shuzenji and Izu peninsula!

Forget the bottle on the left… the bottles in the center are shochu from local rice by Fujinishiki Brewery (located nesr Mount Fuji), a white loquat wine bottle by Bandai Brewery and some fiey shochu by the same!

The only real Wasabi Shochu in the whole world by Bandai Brewery in Shuzenji!

Real wines by the Naka Izu Winery, the only wine-producing compabny in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Again, more wasabi-related processed products!

This is only a small round-up, and I’m sure you will find more to your liking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Fish Markets, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Markets, Meat, S-Pulse Dream Plaza, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomy, Markets & Local Products at S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 11, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Kappa Chan at Kaldi Store!

If you have the occasion to visit (choose a rainy day!) Shimizu Ku (formerly Shimizu City before it was merged with Shizuoka City), you ought to try and visit S-Pulse Dream Plaza to have a good look at the local gastronomy in markets and taste it in the many restaurants inside! I can assure you there is lot to investigate as Shimizu is a major fishing harbor in Japan and is surrounded by the greatest variety of agricultural producers!

First of all take the Tokaido Line/JR Line and get off at Shimizu.
Once past the ticket machines turn right, walk to the first exit and go down the stairs!

Once downstairs turn left and look for the bus stop ring!

Your bus stop is just beyond this (strange) sign!

This is the schedule (weekdays on the left and week-ends on the right) for the free limousine bus service to S Pulse Dream Plaza!

Incidentally this is also the bus stop for the free limousine bus to the ferry harbor if you want to take a ferry boat to Toi, Izu Peninsula!

This is your bus!

Board in at any of the two doors!

Alright let’s have a good look at the restaurants and shops on the first (ground) floor!
Suruga Wan Shokudo/Suruga Bay Canteen!

Hatoba Kitchen Restaurant!

I told you that Shimizu is a major fishing harbor!

Kaldi Coffee Farm!
They also serve a great selection of wine, sauces, preserved foods, pasta, etc.!

Tezuka Shoten Ramen JIN Restaurant!

Totoraku, serving fried sakuraebi bowl from Yui among others!

Manmaya Eel Shop!

Shimizu Harbor delicatessen and bento shop!

Kaidoya shop specializing in unusual marine products!

Nobu Chan Fish Market specializing in Shimizu Tuna!

Live TV of their kitchen!

Have a god look at the shop, left and right!

Great and so reasonable fresh sushi bento!

Only seasonal and local as far as fresh fish is concerned!

Live seafood also available!

Spicy Shizuoka Tuna preserves!

And of course the Shizuoka specialty, bonito/katsuo (cooked in this case)!

Kanei Suisan Shop specializing in sundried fish/himono and preserved marine products!

First-class preserved seafood!

Irifune Vegetables & Fruit Market!

Benihoppe/Red Cheeks Strawberries, a Shizuoka specialty since 2002!

Shimizu Groceries Store!

Taki Delicatessen Shop!

Tonkatsu Saboten Shop specializing in tonkatsu!

Great variety of very reasonable bento!

Shinoda Liqueur Shop, one of the very best in Shizuoka Prefecture where you will find local and Japanese drinks of all genres!

Rare shochu from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Shizuoka sake mini cups and mini bottles!

Rare sake from Shizuoka and elsewhere!

At the bottom Shizuoka Craft beers by Bryan Baird and Stephan Rager!

Minato Pan, a great bakery where you can eat onsite!

Mount Fuji melon Bread!

I already have introduced Umi Sushi Restaurant there but there are more to come as well as other shops and attractions!
Stay tuned!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Fusion Gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomy: Tsubaki Zaka Kubota in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly and attentive
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. Parking
Prices: Appropriate to slightly expensive
Strong points: Fusion Japanese-western gastronomy making good use of fresh products. Traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Being located in a residential area of Suruga Ku abut Shimizu Ku Tsubazaki Zaka Kubota is not easy to find even from Undojyomae Station on the Shizutetsu Line, so you may be better off going there by taxi.

it was established six years ago by Mr. Kubota and his wife inside an enormous traditional Japanese house where most of the original atmosphere has been preserved.
You can sit either on tatami or on chairs in diverse rooms which also includes a counter bar. This is a busy place so do reserve on the phone beforehand!

All types of drinks are offered including wine, beer, sake with a couple of local ones, shochu, fruit juices et al.

The gastronomy, although predominantly Japanese, is more of a fusion concept combining Japanese and Western trends making ample use of very fresh products, be they vegetables, meat or seafood!

Bonito/katuso sashimi and tartare.

Sorry for the general blurriness of the pictures but it is comparatively dark with muted colors making photography vey hard but contributing to a cozy atmosphere!

Bonito is a Shizuoka trademark as fish and sea food!

Vegetables kakiage!

Japanese salad made with Japanese yam and cucumber!

Sauce and raw egg yolk for the salad!

Watarigani crab cream sauce spaghetti!

As good as in Italy!

Oyster chawanmushi!

Stir-fried pork and leeks!

mushroom risotto!

Steamed and stir-fried cockles and kushinsai!

Coffee served as it should be!

TSUBAKI ZAKA KUBOTA
427-8007 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Sei Ichi iro, 487-2
Tel.: 054-245-4886
Opening hours:
Lunch (on reservation only): 11:00~15:00
Course at 2,100 yen
Dinner (reservations advised): 17:00~22:00
A la Carte or courses4,200~6,300 yen
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE/BLOG

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 蕎麦, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba, Tourism

Soba Buckwheat Noodles Restaurant: Tagata Zairai Soba in Shizuoka City!

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Smiling and friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Overall extremely clean. Superb washroom if a bit small
Prices: Very reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat used. Good sake and shochu list

The other day two friends of mine who actually plan to study professionally the art of making soba suggested we all went for lunch to a new small soba restaurant which served buckwheat noodles exclusively made with Japanese buckwheat!
Of course I just couldn’t refuse discovering such a place knowing than more than 80% of soba we eat in this country are made from imported buckwheat flour!

It is clearly indicated that the place serves only zarai soba/在来蕎麦/native buckwheat noodles!

Of course all the noodles are made on site and are so reasonable. Even the local sake is reasonable! Remember that in Edo times sake was almost exclusively served at soba restaurants!

Such a clean place!

You do have to be a bit patient as noodles are prepared only upon order!

Soup/broth for the noodles with grated wasabi and chopped scallions!

My friends had ordered the lunch set so they shared their mushrooms musubi/rice balls with me!

As well as some beautiful tamagoyaki served with grated daikon!

My first serving of buckwheat noodles!
By the way the correct way to eat them is to first taste one without any seasoning then eat the rest dipping the soba into the broth (not too much, mind you!)!

Really appetizing, aren’t they?

Served on a beautiful earthen ware plate with the character ta/田 for “field” which is the first Chinese character of the restaurant place Tagata/田形!
On the left you will notice another beautiful earthenware pot containing the soba yu/蕎麦湯/hot water in which the same noodles were boiled to be added an drunk with whatever broth you have left!

My second serving!

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA (make sure you understand the address as Tagata is a very common name for restaurants in Japan!)
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 3-3-4　(left of Tokai Bldg across the street)
Tel.: 054-251-0707
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed on Sundays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Hotels, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Al Porto in Shizuoka City!

November 6, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

A real jewel!

Service: Kind, attentive and smiling!
Equipment & Facilities: Splendid cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (this is a hotel!)
Prices: Appropriate to expensive
Strong points: High class Italian gastronomy. Excellent wine list by the bottle and the glass. Great dessert plate!

As a general rule I do not look too much forward to eat and dine in hotels in Japan, but Al Porto Italian Restaurant is certainly the exception which confirms the rule!
Located on the 15th floor of Hotel Associa Shizuoka it is the only restaurant I would recommend to anyone inside a hotel.
And this all thanks to a great young chef named Satoshi Kakiyama, whom I know personally. But I didn’t give him any advance news of my visit for lunch the other day!

Because it is part of a hotel Al Porto can afford a wine list above average. There some real good offers by the glass even at lunch time!
I started with a glass of Gewurtzstraminer from northern Italy!

A rich wine wine equal to the same grapes wine in Alsace, France!

Home-made bread, naturally!

Antipasto misto with Parma ham, Shizuoka Sole and octopus!

Insalata di granchio e avocado con caviar: avocado, snow crab, ameera tomato from Shizuoka and caviar with a raspberry coulis!
A jewel!

Next I had a glass of Barbera Monte!

I almost forgot to take a picture of this rich red wine full of red fruits!

Capesante al gratin: Scallops Gratin!

Local charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef and local vegetables!

Potofu di fegato e ravanello giapponese: Foie gras atop stewed daikon! A must in Japan!

Spaghetti di scampi e porcini fughi: spaghetti with scampi prawns and porcini mushrooms!

All the while I also enjoyed a solid Cotes de Castillon from South West France!

Very solid and fruity indeed!

The dessert plate is brought to you so that you can have a good look before choosing your sweet tooth sin!
I actually left the choice to the eminently capable waitress!

Little details that make the difference: change of service and coffee brought to your table before your dessert is served.
Actually the cutlery was changed with every dish!

Blanc manger/panacotta, tiramisu,tart and more morsels I didn’t have the time to note down! LOL

Be sure this is only the start of a long venture!

AL PORTO
420-0851 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane Cho, 56, Hotel Associa, 15F
Tel.: 054-205-8633
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Reservations advised
Credit Cards OK
HOTEL HOMEPAGE ENGLISH
AL PORTO HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Mishima City

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Cafe Akko in Mishima City!

November 3, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Extremely clean overall. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Slow and healthy Italian gastronomy created mostly with local products!

The people in Mishima City are very lucky as they are surrounded with fielads and gardens that supply them with fresh (many organic) vegetables (and meat) all year round!
Cafe Akko is one of the many great little places in town that offer very healthy, reasonable and slow food.

It has been conceived in an unusual all length and narrowness to take advatntage of whatever space available. And it is so clean!

Lunch is particularly interesting as you can choose from no less than 7 set lunches. although you may choose a single item from the carte if available for lunch!

Dragon who planned to share hers and especially my order, chose a single item: “Kimagure salad/Chef’s salad of the Day”!

Enormous as you can see from the other side!
So many vegetables and pieces of fine meat, practically all local!
A full meal by itself, I can assure you!

As for me I chose (and shared!) the seafood lasagna lunch set!

Apart of a complimentary coffee it is served with home-made focaccia,

potage,

And a cute salad!

An artistic and so tasty lasagna!

The lasagna was prepare as a large round one before being cut into quarters.
Each quarter is then baked upon order and serve with a tasty but light tomato sauce.

It is also brought to you with grated parmesan cheese and home-made basil paste.
The lasagna itself is not only so tasty but a lot lighter than expected!

Cute little home-made biscuits served with coffee!

Cafe Akko!
Can’t wait to come back to Mishima City!

CAFE AKKO
411-0036, Mishima City, Ichi ban Cho, 17-49, BT Bldg., 1F
Tel.: 055-943-5598
Opening Hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays, national Holidays and Wednesday evenings (except when fully reserved or for events)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 猪肉, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 鹿肉, 農業, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Venison, Wild boar

French & Italian Gastronomy: Seminar by Wasabi No Kai in Shizuoka City!

November 1, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Asabi No Kai or Wasabi Meetup is a non-profit association of chefs, producers and gastronomes based mainly in Central Shizuoka Prefecture.
The basic purpose of this Meetup is to promote the products and gastronomy of Shizuoka Prefecture as well as visiting producers and make their products better known and to promote Shizuoka Gastronomy in general to the public.
A regular event is held on the last Tuesday of every month.

On October 29th, most members met at Il Castagno Italian Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City for a seminar to share cooking techniques and ideas.

The seminar had started at 11:00 a.m. and due to work I could join only an hour later and missed a fes demonstrations including the above wild boar tagliatelle,wild boar sauteed and amago trout soup!

An attentive auditoire composed of some of the most famous chefs in central Shizuoka Prefecture, be they specializing in French, Italian, Sapnish and even Chinese gastronomies!

Chef Kakiyama of Al Forte Restaurant!

Wild Boar Belly Confit!

The wild boar had been confit to soften its fat and had been pasted with a mixture of cheese, breadcrumbs, mustard.
Served with sauteed fresh shiitake mushrooms and cress, with a persimmon sauce!

Chef Onoda of Caravin!

Amagi Shamo quenelles!

The quenelles (as of the fish or meat dumplings prepared in Lyon, France) had been made with various parts of Amagi Shamo Chicken bred at Horie Poultry Farm in Amagi, Izu Peninsula. The soup had been made with fresh shiitake mushrooms from Amagi!

Ballotine of foie gars and Amagi Shamo chicken breast served home-made pain d’epices (Dijon-style ginger bread).

Beautiful design! Ballotine made with foie gras and chicken is difficult because of the different texture!

Amagi Shamo Chicken beats lacquered with steamed pilaf!

seasoned with finely shredded fresh wasabi root!

Chef Sugimoto of Tetsuya Sugimoto Restaurant!

Amago trout, marinated between “knse” sheets and aromatic herbes over minced satoimo/taro root and gobo/burdock!

Includes olive oil, white wine vinegar, orange olive oil, and salted water jelly!

Amagi Amago trout pre-cooked (5 minutes) and maronated, sauce tapioca, salt, olive oil, sesame seeds, breadcrumbs, salt seaweed/shio konbu, shirasu/whiting!

Sudach1 lemon mousse, with sauce made of sesame oil, salt, balsamic vinegar. Wasabi zuke sorbet. Tomatoes marinated in salt, white wine vinegar and olive oil!

Sauce similar to a home-made mayonnaise. Fresh herbs include dill, lsauteed ucolla roots, taragon!

Chef Sugimoto holding “Komotake” also called “Makomo” or “Hanagatsumi”/”Manchurian Wild Rice” stems, a great vegetable only started to be actively grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

The venison was first marinated in liquid bamboo charcoal to give it the aspect of a black round stone!”

Venison with Komotake!

The komotake was served both steamed then fried. Th venison was seasoned with milk sauce!

Fried komotake chips astride the steamed stem of the same!

The shiitake were cooked in fond de veau/veal stock, red wine vinegar and Madeira wine!

See you next month!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Beef, 牛肉, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 豚肉, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Pork, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Wagyu Beef, 和牛

Wagyu Beef at Sumpu No Nikudokoro Restaurant (Lunch) in Shizuoka City!

October 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful and modern gender-separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable (wayuu is not cheap anywhere!)
Strong points: Almost completely local ingredients. High class beef and pork. Great local sake and shochu list! Non-smoking at lunch time!

I had been curious for some time about a new restaurant which had been opened this year above a convenience store of all things this year when the far corner across Cenova Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, was reclaimed for development.

The name of the restaurant is “Sumpu No Nikudokoro/駿府の肉処”. Sunpu stands for the old name of Shizuoka City and Nikudokoro means “the place for Meat”!
Pity they don’t take the pains of at least writing the English pronunciation when you hear that Shizuoka Prefecture and City have recently declared to promote tourism more actively…

I had noticed this advert for a single donburi/bowl dish priced at 800 yen/8 US $/6 Euros for quite a while and I had thought that the place was maybe a very reasonable and simple restaurant subsidized by the Shizuoka Prefecture Government, the Agriculture Department in particular. I was proved slightly wrong!

Frankly speaking the lack of explanations and introductions on the ground floor was a bit frustrating and I was somewhat surprised to find out after climbing nondescript stairs to stand in front of small but elegant entrance!

An the surprises only continued after I had stepped inside!
Wow! Special Wagyu certified from Shizuoka Prefecture!
Actually no less than 12 breeders have been awarded the distinction in our Prefecture!

hey were not shy about exhibiting the meat used in the restaurant, a sure sign of superior quality!

Then I started to understand!
Wagyu is horribly expensive in Japan, wherever it is produced and moreover if it has received the label ‘Special Choice” by the Government!

The restaurant is owned and run by the Shizuoka JA (Japan Agriculture), the biggest Agricultural Association in Shizuoka Prefecture (and also heavily subsidized by the country!)!
Now, I knew why the prices were still comparatively reasonable, even for local products!

The establishment is absolutely spotless clean with a direct view into the kitchen! Talk about superior hygiene!

Not only the meat, but most of the sake and shochu are also brewed in Shizuoka Prefecture!

There are three types of seating: A counter by the window, very practical for individual guests of\r couples, benches and tables for 4 people apiece and a dig-in kotatsu Japanese room you can partly or completely reserve for a meal away from other guests’ sight (500 yen extra per person in the case). The Japanese room can be completely reserved for up to 8 guests. Otherwise parties up to 26 guests are accepted. Total reservation can be insured for up to 66 guests.

The sliding doors of the private Japanese-style room.

My first was for lunch at which you can a choice of single bowl dishes between 800 and 980 yen (very popular with office workers and doctors working nearby!), and three meat lunch sets between 1,200 yen and 3,000 yen. I chose the latter, which at 30 US $ is still very reasonable!

Next time I will strongly suggest that they write an English translation!

Not only the wasabi (of course!) but even the salt is local!

Supreme fat to coat the BBQ plate with before grilling the meat and vegetables! Extravagant!

Absolutely beautiful!
Now, what do we have?

Two kinds of wagyu and Kinton-o pork form Shizuoka prefecture!
Actually our Prefecture is nationally know for its supreme pork!

They need to translate that, too!
It does make for good reading, actually!

In the bckground lean Wagyu Beef and in the forefront Kinton-O Pork!

Great attentions to detail: served with grilled garlic slices and chopped thin scallions!

Naturally the vegetables are exclusively local!

Local vegetable salad and Shizuoka green tea as a bavarois with jelly!

Shizuoka-grown Koshihikari rice! A real beauty!

They should translate that too in English:
Shizuoka Koshikari rice is the earliest to be harvested in the island of Honshu: planted in April, rice grains appear in July and the rice is harvested end of August!
It is nicknamed “Pearl Rice”!

A light soup, perfect to wash all that good food down!

100% Shizuoka orange juice! The real article!

You grill everything at your own pace and order!

So tender and so juicy wagyu beef!
What else can you ask for?

Look forward to more reports as I want to investigate some of the ridiculously cheap meat bowl lunches and of course a full dinner with local sake and shochu!

Sumpu No Nikudokoro
Shizuoka Sodachi
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oote Machi, 2-15, MRK Bldg., 2f (across Cenova Dept. Store above 7 eleven convenience store)
Tel.: 054-251-4129
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00
Closed on third Wednesday of each month
Credit Cards OK
Reservations highly recommended for dinner!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Crafts, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Crafts, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Fruit, Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Seafood, Shizuoka Traditonal Handcarfts, Tourism

Shizuoka City Products & Crafts (and more!) at Shin Yoo Bank!

October 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Don’t get me wrong! This is not an advert for a bank nor a suggestion that you should deposit your money there!
In fact my accounts are not held in this bank!

But if it is your first visit, or if you wish to know a bit more about our City, walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station, past the main crossroads with Egawa Street and you will find Shizuoka Shin Yoo Bank/静岡信用銀行 on your right just before reaching Shizuoka City Hall!

Have a good look at their display windows. It is definitely worth the attention! Actually if it rains or if it is too hot you could see the main posters inside. The bank welcomes casual visitors!
If all banks were emulating it Shizuoka city would certainly be an even better place for it!

Plenty to look at or read!

And even more!
Shall we have a look at them in detail?

Mount Fuji including views from Yui, Nihondaira and miho Beach!

Shizuoka City Highlights: Nihondaira Zoo, Daidogei Street Performance World Cup, Umegashima Hot Springs, Yui Honjin Park!

Shizuoka City History: Kunozan Toosgoogun Shrine, Seigen temple, Toroi Ruins, Sumpu Castle Park!

Top to bottom: Daidogei Street performance World Cup, Sakura Ebi/Cherry shrimps. Sengen Shrine, and Mount Fuji view from Nihon Daira!

Shizuoka Prefecture Designated Product: “Shikibu” clog!

Green Tea lacquer Box!

Wooden Bilboquet Shoe, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

A Clock, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

Soccer Ball Lacquer Bowls, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

A Mount Fuji Dyed Cloth bag, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Mana” Beach sandals, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Tuna Fishing”, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Lady Eyes Miso Soup Bowls”, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

Shizuoka Prefecture Designated Product: Bamboo lattice Craft Box!

The display window!

Citruses, Sumpu Castle, Mount Fuji view from Yui, Mount Fuji View from green tea fields!

Actually, the posters inside are different!

Shizuoka City products: Hina dolls, Geta/Wooden clogs, Suruga Bamboo Lattice Crafts, Suruga Lacquerware!

Shizuoka City Gastronomy: Tuna, Wasabi, Tororo Jiru/Grated Yam, Abekawa Mochi Wagashi cakes (vegan!), Shizuoka Oden!

More shizuoka Gastronomy: Green Tea, Oranges, Strawberries, Shirasu/Sardine Whiting, Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps!

Actually, there is so much more!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

レシピ, bbq, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 5: The Food Stands!

October 17, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Brochettes, brochettes, brochettes!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the food the Japanese take for granted at a Japanese Festival or such events! It becomes nothing less than a giant BBQ!

Like any city worth its salt in Japan and furthermore staging a major festival or event a very large space will be made available for visitors to refresh and feed themselves (as well as relieve themselves).
This space in Shimada City is either used for open-air events, festivals or as a supplementary car park.
As cars are prohibited form entering the town center during the the 3-day festival, the space is just ideal.
The sign reads: “”One of the Three Unusual Festivals in Japan. Welcome. 107th Shimada Big Festival/Obi Festival”!

Not only the city provides the space for the food stands to be erected along its perimeter but it also provides the tents, chairs, tables and plastic white table cloths for visitors to eat and drink comfortably under the searing sun in day time or eventual rain!

They also install large trash boxes regularly emptied and cleaned all day long by city workers!
The trash boxes are divided for “Bottles (glass) & Cans”, “Burnable Trash”, “Trash to be Incinerated (heavier than the former)” and “Plastic Pet Bottles (soda, etc,)”!

OK, let’s go around the food stands!

Charcoal-grilled “ayame” trouts!

Naturally sausages are a must!

It is also a good time to sample specialties from all over Japan: Oita (Kyushu) style stir-fried chicken!

Hiroshima-style noodles, pasta, Yaki, Okonmiyaki!

Yakitori!

Fujinomiya City has made Shizuoka famous all over the country for its Yakisoba/Stir-fried noodles!

These disappear within a blink of the eye!

Plenty of draft beer available!

Tai Yaki (seabream-shaped pancakes containing anko/sweet meat beans) for the kids and sweet teeth!

Giant nikuman/large dumplings made of steamed bread and pork. I had the bottom one made with Shizuoka tea!

Fried sweet potato and potato sticks!

Whirly sausages!

Spicy stir-fried chicken!

I also had one of these Osaka-style takoyaki/dumplings containing octopus!

More pork kushiyaki/brochettes!

Cotton candy!
In France we call them “daddy’s beard”!

Not a food stand actually, but a soft drinks and kids game stand!

Another BBQ staple: deep-fried potato brochette, broiled corn and deep-fried sweet potato sticks!

This particular charcoal-grilles sausages and pork brochetttes stand had a constant 20-people queue stretching in front of it!

Chorizo sausage pizzas!

Giant crepes! Sweeeeeeeeeet!

Oden! A shizuoka specialty!

Karaage/Deep-fried chicken!

Baked sweet potato cakes!

Drinks! Including Shizuoka sake! Shimada city is famous all over Japan for its “Onna Nakase/Make a Woman Cry” sake brand!

Mexican sausage and potato tortilla!

Kawane green tea!
Shizuoka produces more than 45% of all green tea in Japan!

These two ladies were having a ball selling miso mochi!
Just another proof that sexiness is ageless!

We will go back to the action in Part 6: “The Clash Of The Chariots”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Seafood, Tourism

3rd Shizuoka Gourmet Kingdom Fest 2013 in Shizuoka City (October 19th & 20th)!

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

On october 19th (Saturday) from 11:00 to 20:00 and 20th (Sunday) from 11:00 to 19:00 everyone will be able to discover how extravagantly rich is our City of Shizuoka at 3rd Shizuoka Gourmet Kingdom Fest 2013!

It will be held in Aoi Ku behind (west entrance) the Shizuoka City Hall and all along the Aoba Street/Aoba Symbol Road!

Can you guess what is produced, caught and bred in our City?
See the list below (not exhaustive!):
-Shirasu/Sardine Whiting
-Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps
-Beef
-Vegetables (impossible to count)
-Wasabi (it was born in Shizuoka City!)
-Strawberries
-Pork
-Poultry
-Tuna (did you know that? Especially Albacore/Binnnaga Maguro, also nicknamed Shizuoka Tuna!)
-Hanpen (dark sardine paste cakes)
-Oranges and citruses

Frankly speaking I already know that to show all products of Shizuoka City would require a far bigger space, but I’m sure there will be enough to overwhelm you!

Local sake brewed in this city will be represented by the following breweries: Haginishiki, Suruga (Tonko), Eikun, Kanazawagawa (Shosetsu), Kumpai and Sanwa (Garyuubai)!

Naturally all the major Japanese beer companies will also be represented as guests as they know you will be thirsty on these two days! LOL

For more information call 090-6469-0597 (Japanese)

Report coming!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Okra, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Okra Flowers Tempura at Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, polite, but easy-going
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: All kinds of bubbly drinks. Very healthy and tasty food snacks made with local products.

okra are becoming very popular in Asia and Europe although it originated from Central Africa.
It is also extensively grown here in Japan but it is somewhat eaten in a manner different from that in Africa.
For one, the flowers are edible and can be prepared in many ways.

Since this is Japan one manner that would come to mind is tempura although the Japanese would eat okra in any form even raw!
What is more uncommon is cooking the flowers.
Unlike comparatively robust zucchini flowers okra flowers will wilt very quickly as they bloom for only one day.

One way to circumvent that problem is to cut the flowers just before they open and leave them in the fridge where they will open and conserve longer.

Last night I had the pleasure to savor both the okra pods and flowers organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji at Jacuzzi awabar, the newest gastronomic bar in Shizuoka City!

As tempura goes this is both teasingly simple and sophisticated.
Crispy, so tasty, almost sweet!
You must try it! With a glass of French bubbly rose wine!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

レシピ, Conger eel, 美食, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Square Bean, Tourism

French Gastronomy: Land & Sea/Conger Eel & Winged Bean at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

October 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Excellent and very friendly.
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (mouthwash and toothpicks provided!)!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive, very good value.
Strong points: Interesting wine list. Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables and Shizuoka-bred meat and caught fish. Very inventive French gastronomy.

Shizuoka Prefecture being practically “sandwiched” between sea and land in the mildest part of Japan occupies the most favorable location for a constant supply of fresh produce from the sea, the land and the mountains all year round.
It is more a question of finding new ideas to combine such products in season than to look for a rare product and try to arrange it.
Shizuoka conger eels or anago/穴子 are famed all over the country and can be sampled at many Japanese Restaurants.

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん being Japanese but first and foremost a French cuisine chef came up with the idea of preparing conger eel almost in Japanese manner by first sauteed and baking it to a crisp and seasoning with a sauce combining both traditional Japanese and French sauce ingredients (secrets, I’m afraid!) I can only guess, but the result leaves you baffled in between two traditions for your utter gustative pleasure!

Now, the wing bean (also known as the Goa bean and Asparagus pea, Four-angled bean and Winged pea) placed symmetrically atop the conger eel is actually called “Square bean/Shikaku Mame/しかく豆” in Japanese.
Would you believe it is a tropical legume plant native to Papua New Guinea?
It is a very valuable vegetable when it comes to all kinds of beneficial elements.
It has recently acquired a big reputation here in Shizuoka and is presented and eaten in all kinds of sizes.
The one used Tooru is still small and young.
Not only it is a tasty and healthy vegetable but it also offers all sorts of design idea thanks to its fresh color which helps enhance the darker colors of meat or fish!
Incidentally this winged bean was organically grown in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji!

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

レシピ, Bars, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Gastronomic Bar: Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

I had been on the lookout for this place for quite a while since the owner of Taky’s Cakes and Cafe owner decided to move to new and larger location (report next month I hope).

I had to surprise to find out it had opened on the very day I chose to have a better look and visit!
Actually, another surprise was waiting for me inside!

Keisuke Ohta/太田圭祐さん is in fact an old acquaintance of mine in spite of his relatively young age. Some one year ago he left his previous employment to open a successful wine bar called Vin Vino in Ryogae-Cho, Aoi Ku before starting this second venture!

The small place is an incredible example of Japanese ingeniousness making the most of what small space was available.
6 guests can sit on chairs at the counter while 10~12 more people can stand at two tables and 3 half tables against the wall.
Even so, two staff can work at ease behind the bar and cook without nay hassles.

Incidentally you can use their beautiful business cards as coasters!

The counter bar.
Actually very little change was brought to the place except for the seating!

The lighting is modern but diffused.
As a customer if you want a little privacy sit at the counter or stand at one one of the half tables against the wall.
If you want to be seen and see stand by one of the two tables behind the bay window!
Mind you, depending on the kind of customers it can either be very quiet or definitely raucous!

I started with a dry wine from the Cotes du Rhone in France with no bubbles, but one can enjoy, beer, sake, cocktailes, liqueurs, spirits, whiskey, wine by the glass or bottle, fizzy or flat, soft drinks, soda and light meals!

Now, the food is definitely of a higher level but reasonable!
All the vegetables are organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji!
The above vegetables exquisitely cooked as “frites” (actually an elegant tempura) are worth the visit alone!

From a different angle two kinds of eggplants, a square bean and other beauties the staff take pride in meticulously introducing!
There are plenty of other tasty morsels available but that will be for the next report!

And do not forget to explore the wine list including such unusual offerings as this pink fizzy wine from Yamanashi Prefecture!
See you soon there again!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES