Category Archives: 静岡美食

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Storia in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Extremely clean overall. Splendid gender separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Light & mild Italian gastronomy. Great use of local products
Entirely non-smoking!

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I finally found the opportunity to visit the newest Italian restaurant to open in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City on October 19th!
The more for it that it is near my working place just beside Cenova Department Store on the second floor overlooking the entrance to the Shizutetsu Railway Line!

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They have the good sense to put up a lot of information downstairs, including one of their wines!

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I was particularly interested in the A lunch course menu!

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The place is so clean and modern with still a nice warm touch!

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Beautiful but comfortable furniture!

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I decided to have a glass of the rd wine they advertise downstairs!

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Pinot Noir, Casillero del Diablo, from Chile!

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The antipasto misti plate!

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Fish and potato rillettes, ham and ratatouille salad!

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Home-made terrine and sole carpaccio!

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A beautiful green salad for great lunch balance!
Note that Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん uses practically only vegetables grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Simple but so appetizing!

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Garlic toasts for the next dish!

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Mussles steamed in white wine!

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Gnocchi Solentini!

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Actually the waitress had kindly advised me I could ask for pasta instead. I politely declined as I have a weakness for gnocchi! And I certainly was right!

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Beef Tagliata with Sanchu leaf and makomo/komotake!

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Succulent and tender beef cooked to perfection!

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The dessert!

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Although much maligned in Europe the Japanese have become masters of Tiramisu!

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And Chef Saita is one of them!

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And a nice hot tea to wash it all down!

See you there next at dinner!

STORIA
Chef: Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん
422-8076 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo 1-7-13, Espacio Takajyou, 2F
Tel.: 054-260-7552
Opening hours: Lunch-11:30^14:30; Cafe-14:30~18:00, Dinner-18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays and 2nd Tuesday (the next day in case of National Holiday)
Credit cards OK
Entirely non smoking!

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, 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: 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

Italian Gastronomy: Spinach & Cheese Risotto at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Pro and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness and superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Fresh local ingredients whenever possible. Both traditional and inventive Italian cuisine. Good wine list at moderate prices. Open late!

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I don’t mind posting a blog on a single dish, especially when it one by Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦! at Solio Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City!
And the more for it because he makes the best (in my opinion!) risottos in the whole Prefecture!

Presentation and originality are primordial with such an apparently simple dish, but it is more difficult than one can imagine at first!
Actually Takehiko has always told me that he secret resides in the home-made stock soup first of all!

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This particular risotto, very seasonal, was concocted with fresh spinach from his own garden and cheese!
You could not only taste the superb spinach but also bite on it with the small pieces of stems included on purpose!

A real Italian “comfort food”!

SOLOIO
420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 9-7, Kita, 1
Tel./fax: 054-260-4637
Business hours: 16:00~24:00
Closed on Monday
Credit cards OK
Private parties welcome!
Happy hour: 16:00~17:00: 1,000 yen set-3 appetizers plate and 1 glass of house wine!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

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, 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: 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

French-American Gastronomy: Terrine de Campagne Sandwich at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

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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. Entirely non-smoking in very modern atmosphere. Great books!

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The bar and drinks corner!

The great thing about a good restaurant/cafe is the regular, even if partly, change of menu!
This is why I’m always having difficulties keeping away from BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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The kitchen!

Actually, I had planned only a light snack that day, that is before I saw the menu!

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I soon realized it was a lost cause when I saw “”Sandwich in Pate de Champagne”!
Being French, I knew they meant “Terrine de Campagne Sandwich”!
Just reading this reminded me of the many such sandwiches back home!

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The Terrine de Campagne Sandwich Lunch Set!

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For a closer look!

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Enormous sandwich!
I knew I had to use fork, knife and all the fingers of both hands!

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A very generous portion of terrine!
Note that the bread was lightly seasoned and toasted, although a bit soft by French standards, but making it easier to eat!

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The bread!
Actually I ate the bread separately in between mouthful of vegetables and terrine!

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Plenty of lettuce, sliced onions and pickles!

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From another angle to show you the good balance, both in design and ingredients!

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And of course plenty of French (Belgian) fries!

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Always a local vegetable salad included!

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And plenty of tea to wash it down!

What is it to be next, I wonder?

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)
Entirely non-smoking!

Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

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, 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: 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

BBC BEER FEST at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City! November 29th!

BLUE-BOOKS-BEER-FEST

PLACE: BLUE BOOKS cafe, Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bill 1F (5~10 minutes walk from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit)
DATE: Friday, November 29th, 2013
TIME: 17:00~
DEAL: All you ca drink within 2 hours + 1 food for 2,500 yen. 500 yen extra per extra food.

BLUE-BOOKS-BEER-FESTa

On Friday 29th, you will be able to taste no less than 6 carefully chosen craft beers and 1 cider, all you can drink for 2 hours, for a very reasonable price at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!
Extra foods include shrimps 6 Avocada Cerviche, TEX-MEX Potato Salad, Country Captain, Home-made beef jerky, Quesadilla, Pulled pork, Mac Cheese, etc…

A great occasion to enjoy superlative craft beer in great company in a very cool and superbly clean establishment!

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)
Entirely non-smoking!

Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Organic Vegetables Bagel Sandwich at D&DEPARTMENT DINING SHIZUOKA by TAITA in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities:
Great iverall cleanliness. Nice washroom
Prices Reasonable
Strong points: American-Western Gastronomy. Large portions. Healthy. Non-smoking until 16:00

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It was my first visit that day at D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT in SHIZUOKA by TAITA for a farmers’ Market event organised there and I took the opportunity to take lunch at their restaurant!

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Since they were celebrating their fifth Anniversary, all sorts of thanks comments by the staff were written on the windows!

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It was very busy at lunch and I did have to wait for quite a while giving plenty of time visiting their shop in the left half of the ground floor and upstairs!

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The entrance to the restaurant from inside!

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From the entrance you can espy the cake display window!

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Chefs very busy at work in a very clean environment!

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Staff very busy but always with a smile!

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I was particularly interested in the menu at the extreme right because I knew the farmers whose organic vegetables were used in the bagel sandwich!

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The organic vegetables bagel sandwich lunch set with the glass of wine included!

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Let’s have a good look at it!

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Plenty of greens for good balance! Always appreciated!
Especially when you know that most vegetables are grown locally!

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Enormous fried potato wedges!

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American gastronomy at its healthiest!

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Such a great bite!

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Of course, I had dessert!

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Hot bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and berry fruit sauce!

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Beautiful ice cream and sauce for my sweet tooth!

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How long had it since I had a true bread pudding?
I don’t mind cycling for 30 minutes to have lunch there. although I will have to check dinner soon!

D&DEPARTMENT DINING SHIZUOKA by TAITA
D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT in SHIZUOKA by TAITA

Manager: Ms. Chinatsu Mori
422-8034 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Takamatsu, 1-24-10
Tel.: 054-238-6678
Fax: 054-238-6679
Opening hours: 10:00~20:00(Saturdays and Sundays~23:00)
Non-smoking until 16:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Large parking Lot available
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

My Ten Best Foie Gras Dishes in Shizuoka City!

PISSENLIT-FOIE-PAIN

Pain de Foie Gras Matured with Mirin White Lees, Chouchou Farm Kankankan Musume Corn Vychissoise and soft pancake made with inca mezame potatoes served at at Pissenlit French Restaurant in Shizuoka City!
Mirin is sweet sake, and brewed in Fujieda City! A rare dish if there was one!

I love foie gras! Well, I’m French!
But the Japanese, especially in Shizuoka City, have convinced me that they have the right way to prepare it in the most delicious and (comparatively) healthy manner!

Here is, including the above, a selction of the arguably best 10 foie gras dishes I have enjoed in this gastronomic City of Shizuoka, Japan!

FOIE-GRAS-HAMBURGER

The love story between America, Japan anf France continues!
Foie Gras Hamburger at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

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Organic Eggplants, Foie Gras and Organic Burdock Root Sauce at pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-LANDES

Sauteed Landes Duck Foie Gras with Madeira Sauce on Truffles Risotto at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-DAIKON

Potofu di fegato e ravanello giapponese: Foie gras atop stewed daikon as served at Al Porto Restaurant in Shizuoka City! A must in Japan!

FOIE-GRAS-SAUTE

Seared Foie Gras in black truffles sauce on Porcini risotto as served at Hana Hana in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-PRESSED

Pressed Confit of Hungarian Foir Gras with Balamico reduction and Dentelle/Sugar Lace Crepe as srved at Beau Ciel in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-MADEIRA

Foie gras poele on Corn Galette with Madeira Sauce as served at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-TERRINE

Country-style foie gras and wild boar terrine as served at Chz Satsukawa in Shizuoka City!

FOIE-GRAS-STRAWBEERIES

Sautéed Foie Gras with Toukun strawberries, fried and glazed Toukun Strawberry, Foie Gras Mousse on Aromatic Herbs Tile and Toukun Strawberry Jelly as served at Gentil in Shzuoka City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/11/22): Seasonal Release: West Coast Wheat Wine

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
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Seasonal Release: West Coast Wheat Wine

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

November is the month in which the end-of-the-year holiday season generally kicks off. At Baird Brewing we have celebrated the inauguration of this festive season each year since 2001 with the release of a most pleasingly inebriating ale — West Coast Wheat Wine.

New Seasonal Baird Beer Releases:
*West Coast Wheat Wine (ABV 9.5%):

Wheat Wine is a beer style born on the U.S. West Coast in the 1980s, thought to have been originally brewed at the Rubicon brewery-pub in Sacramento, California. It has as its progenitor the British Barely Wine style. A Wheat Wine, generally, is characterized by a rich and hearty complexity that is lightened and made a touch sprite by a predominantly wheat, rather than barley, malt base. It is a style representative of the irreverent creativity and unrelenting passion that are hallmarks of craft brewing on the West Coast of the United States. Baird West Coast Wheat Wine is crafted in annual homage to the skilled brewing artisans and fearless beer entrepreneurs who have pioneered craft brewing on America’s great West Coast!

West Coast Wheat Wine contains no character malt whatsoever, only loads of floor-malted Maris Otter (45% of grist), malted wheat (50%) and raw wheat from Shikoku (5%). The color is a wonderfully hazy hue of sunset gold. The flavor is characterized by a deep, layered wheat complexity that is punctuated by a clean and crisply fruity hop character (exclusive use of U.S. West Coast grown hops: Summit, Galena, Citra, Sorachi Ace). At packaging, West Coast Wheat Wine is krausened to add further flavor complexity and to produce a piquant but soft all-natural carbonation.

West Coast Wheat Wine is available for shipment immediately (kegs as well as 360 ml bottles) and begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Thursday, November 21).

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Bananas In Shizuoka City! By Patrick Harrington

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Guest writer, Patrick, here by kind permission of the cycling gourmet.
I must confess that I am no gourmet, but I do happen to live in the beautiful city of Shizuoka.

While taking a stroll through some green tea fields a few days ago (and this scenery is only about 20 minutes drive from downtown Shizuoka), I came across a very rare sight for these parts.

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As regular readers will know Shizuoka is blessed with extremely high quality local produce, especially its fruit and vegetables, but one thing you don’t expect to see is a banana tree, and that is exactly what appeared behind the tea bushes.

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And the bananas were starting to grow.

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Green tea and green bananas, a certain symmetry, which made an already pleasant day even better.

Dear Patrick, as always thank you so much for your great insights!
Also read LOCAL, GREEN, SOCIAL AND SOCIAL, ATAGAWA HOTSPRINGS DAI ICHI HOTEL, ALL YOU CAN EAT/VIKING RESTAURANTS by Patrick Harrington!

Do visit Patick’s blog at THINK TWICE!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Shizuoka Sake tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu Nama

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Negami Brewery in Gotemba City have always been ahead of the other breweries in Shizuoka due to the fact they practically brew all year round at an altitude of 550 metres on the slopes of Mount Fuji, hence this very early shiboritate/just pressed sake!

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the bottle as it is marketed!

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Not only it is a tokubetsu junmai but it is also a genshu and nama, meaning it hasn’t been “manipulated”!

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Rice milled down to 50% for koji rice and 60% for kake rice
Dryness: + 4
Alcohol: 16~17%
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Dry and very fruity. Pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry and very fruity attack backed up with pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Complex.
Pears and custard with hints of dry nuts/macadamia.
Disappears quickly on a drier note.
Almonds appearing with later sips with notes of grapes, dark chocolate and coffee beans.
Gets very dry with food.
Junmai petillant stays strong all along.
Calls for the next sip. Drinks like a dry white wine.
easy on the palate and tongue in spite of the high alcohol content

Overall: A superb and complex sake typical of Negami Brewery!
Will drink as a wine although the alcohol content is high.
Preferably drink it with solid food.
A sure value!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Shizuoka Tourism Autumn Campaign Posters in Shizuoka JR Station!

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It took a long time but finally the Shizuoka Government pledge to promote Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism seems to switched to action mode!
To all visitors (and residents) to Shizuoka City and Shizuoka Prefecture it would be time well spent to stop for a few minutes and have a good look at the posters the Government has put in the middle of Shizuoka JR STation for all to see!
And have a good look at the bottom of each poster which gives 3 good reasons to enjoy our Prefecture!
So let’s start with the first one!

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The SL train running from Kanaya Station/Oigawa Steam Locomotive/大井川SL to Senzu Station and its hot springs in the Japanese Southern Alps is feature known of all train buffs in the country!

Sakura Ebi! Cherry Shrimps/桜海老 which are exclusively caught in the Suruga Bay in Autumn and late Spring are a delicacy that the Japanese are ready to travel a very long way just to taste fresh and raw!

Kunozan Toshogu/久能山東照宮 is a Japanese Natonal Treasure with the relics of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Overlord of Japan who retired to Sumpu/Shizuoka at the beginning of the 17th Century!

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The second poster!

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Okuni Shrine/小国神社 is a beautiful Shinto Shrine in the middle of beautiful forest in Mori Machi in Western Shizuoka Prefecture.
Now is the best time to visit it with all the leaves changing colors!

Hamamatsu Gyoza/浜松餃子are famous all over the country and are served in a peculiar crown shape with plenty of fried beansprouts in the middle!

For people interested in Buddhism a three day Buddhist Monk Life Experience can be enjoyed in Fukuroi City!

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The third poster!

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For Japanese hot spring lovers do visit one of the many hot springs by the sea in Kitagawa, Izu Peninsula!

And you cisit Izu Peninsula do not forget this is the season for succulent spiny lobsters!

For history amateurs visit Nirayamあ in Northern Izu Peninsula to have a look at the only existing ship gun foundry/hansyarou/反射炉 (Meiji Era) in Japan!

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The fourth poster!

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near Mount Fuji you will discover Kakita Gawa/Kakita River/柿田川, one of “Three Clear-Flowing Rivers in Japan”!

Shizuoka Prefecture is famous all over Japan for its eels/unagi/鰻!

For people interested in Shinto and Shinto Shrines do visit the Sengen Shrine by Mount Fuji!

Looking forward to the Winter Canmpaign!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Soba: Shizuoka Native Buckwheat Noodles at Teuchi Soba Tagata in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat from Shizuoka and rest of Japan used. Great use of local seasonal ingredients. Great sake and shochu list.
Entirely non-smoking!

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Soba or buckwheat noodles is one of those underrated products in Shizuoka which ought to deserve more attention especially when you take in account that Shizuoka has produced its own soba for imemmorable times well before Tokugawa Ieyasu came to love them so much when he retired to Sumpu/Shizuoka in the beginning of the 17th Century!

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If one needed a single reason for patronizing Teuchi Soba Tagata would be that Chef Osamu Tagata/田形治さん not only uses exclusively Japanese native buckwheat/zairaishu soba/在来種蕎麦 from Shizuoka Prefecture and elsewhere in the country but also takes a rare pleasure extolling about his soba and other cuisine to whoever is interested or might ask!

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Of course I ordered “mori soba” made with native buckwheat grown in the mountains of Iwata in Central Shizuoka prefecture!
But I can assure it is not all about soba but more true Japanese gastronomy!

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You could always order a set menu but poring through the menu and choosing tidbits according to your whims is far more fun!

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The place is superbly clean but the dark wood color does not make photography easy! LOL

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What I enjoy at soba restaurants is looking at all the utensils served a few at a time, a good indication of the level of the establishment!

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On my next visit i will have to ask what secret brew is hidden inside that pot!

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The “mori soba” have come!

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Now, this lacquered box is a “mempa bento box” made only with cherry wood from Ikawa in the north of Shizuoka City!

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Soba made with native buckwheat from Ikawa, Shizuoka City as a “juwari/100%”!
Absolutely beautiful!

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Actually, Teuchi Soba Tagata in Shizuoka City is not only famed for their soba and cuisine but also for the superb sake (including Shizuoka, of course) and its beautiful shochu which also includes a beauty from Shizuoka Prefecture!
The above is sake brewed by Haginishiki Brewery in Shizuoka City!

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Deep-fried rekon/lotus roots grown in Asabata, Shizuoka City!

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Now, this is a bit special: these sato imo/taro roots are a native variety grown for centuries in Ikawa!
Served as tempura with a special miso paste, a must try!

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Soba yu/soba soup to mix with whatever soupstock/soba sauce you have left and drink to wash down your meal!

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I had to try another favorite: soba miso yaki!

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Buckwheat seeds grilled with miso paste!

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The last details are so important!
Wine-stewed figs and ice-cream!

More coming soon!

TEUCHI SOBA TAGARA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-6-7
Tel.: 054-250-8555
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays and Thursday lunch
Parties welcome
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Soba Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture (As of November 2013)

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TEUCHI SOBA TAGATA

Service: Friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat from Shizuoka and rest of Ja@an used. Great use of local seasonal ingredients. Great sake and shochu list.
Entirely non-smoking!

TEUCHI SOBA TAGARA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-6-7
Tel.: 054-250-8555
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays and Thursday lunch
Parties welcome
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
Entirely non-smoking!

LUNCH-SETSUGEKKA

SETSUGEKKA

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: High quality soba. Beautiful tempura. Great local sake

SETSUGEKKA/雪月花
Shimada City, Hontouri, 2-3-4
Tel.: 0547-35-5241
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Monday and third Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking for lunch!

LUNCH-TAGATA

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA

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

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

LUNCH-KAWAKATSU

SOBA SAKE KAWAKATSU

Service: Friendly
Equipment: traditional. Clean. Beautiful toilets
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Most ingredients not only local but sef-grown or self-raised! Local sake and shochu!
Entirely non-smoking!

Sake Soba Kawakatsu
426-0034, Fujieda Shi, Eki mae, 1-8-4
Tel./Fax: 054-645-1770
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

LUNCH-SOBA-NO-MI

SOBA NO MI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: a bit old but clean
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Old-fashioned atmosphere
Entirely non-smoking!

Soba No Mi
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kawabe Cho, 2-2-3
Tel.: 054-251-8000
Business hours: 11:00~21:00 (or until soba are exhausted)
Closed on Tuesdays and third Wednesdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

LUNCH-YOSHINO

YOSHINO

Service: Shy but friendly
Facilities: old but clean. Traditional
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 10 wari soba. Good list of Shizuoka sake.

YOSHINO
420-0839 Shizuoka Shi, Takajyo, 1-7-10
Tel.: 054-255-3277
Business hours: 11:00 until they run out of buckwheat!
Closed on Tuesdays

LUNCH-KUROMUGI

KUROMUGI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: Old but clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 100% soba noodles (ju-wari soba). Traditional Japanese Soba Restaurant.

422-8078 Shizuoka Shi, Suruga Ku, Satsuki Cho, 8-15
Tel.: 054-287-8539
Fax: 054-287-8309
Business hours: 11:30~15:00, 17:00~21:00; 11:30~21:00 (Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
MAP(Japanese)

LUNCH-IWA-ICHI

IWA ICHI

Service: Very friendly and easy-going.
Facilities: Very clean overall. Excellent amenities
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba of course, but traditional Japanese gastronomy on the whole. Excellent all-rounder.
English spoken!
Non-smoking at tables.

IWA ICHI
420-01816 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kutsunoya, 3-4-22
Tel.: 054-293-4151
Business hours: 11:30^14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays

LUNCH-TSUDONO

TSUDONO ZARU SOBA

Service: Very kind and a bit shy
Equipment & Facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba! Very Japanese atmosphere.

TSUDONO Zaru Soba
421-2121 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tsudono, 514-2
Tel.: 054-294-1005
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00 or until the soba are sold out!
Closed on Mondays (except on National Holidays)
Car parking available
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Nepalese-Indian Gastronomy: Vegetarian Lunch at Namaste Nippon in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Very friendly, polite and smiling
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Spacious washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A great blend of Indian and Nepalese cuisines. More than sufficient drinks list. Vegetarian set or single dishes available. Very generous portions!

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Namaste Nippon Nepalese-Indian Restaurant and its bright colors have been standing along the Kitakaido Street in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, 10 minutes walk from Cenova Department Store, and had often been recommended to me by friends.
I took advantage of free time at lunch yesterday to pay them a belated visit!

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The owner and the staff all hail from Nepal but the chefs graduated from a cooking school in India, allowing them to combine the two cuisines with even a little Japanese twist at times!

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Lunch time is particularly busy and they do have a hefty menu!
One can choose from set menus or single dishes.
I already know I’ll have to plan a few more visits!
A good idea, since they serve a great variety of drinks including Shizuoka sake, would be to g there for a drink in the evening and eat their food as snacks!

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I chose the vegetarian set lunch which should give me a good idea of the chefs’ skills!
It includes a lot!

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But first of all I had to taste a “Nepal Ice” beer!

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Enormous potato samosa with vegetable salad!

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It would be enough as a great snack in the evenings!

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The Vegetarian Lunch Plate, which includes the aforementioned samosa and a drink!

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You can choose 2 out of 3 curries (sorry, this is how it is written on the Jpanese menu! Mind they all speak fluent English):
I opted for the above “Parapanilu” spinach and cttage cheese curry!

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Dahl/beans Curry!
The third one was “Alparaku” Potato and Cottage Cheese!

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Turmeric rice!
One can opt for plain rice, too!

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“Achar” home-made Nepalese vegetable pickles! Very tasty!

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“Papado”!

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And a great freshly baked nan!
Actually they bake many kinds of nan, chapati and so on!

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I couldn’ help taste an Indian Legend beer!

Meet you in the evening there again!

NAMASTE NIPPON Nepalese-Indian Restaurant
420-0845 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oda Cho, 31-1, Ono Bldg, 1F (along the Kitakaido Street, 10 minutes walk from Cenova Department Store)
Tel. & Fax: 054-247-6775
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00, 17:00~22:30
Closed on Thursdays
Credit Cards OK
Paries welcome!
Take outs OK!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery: Kinmei Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi Genshu

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Now is the season for “Hiyaoroshi” that is the outpu of sake that have been pasteurized only once.
They could be considered as halfway between nama/unpasteurized and normally twice-pasteurized sake.

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Due to its location at more than 500 metres on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Gotemba City Negami Brewery brews practically all year round, and this Yamahai was conceived during the summer partly with rice from Hiroshima and mainly from Shizuoka Prefectures!

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The fact that it is a genshu/no water added and a junmai:no alcohol blended in means that this particular brew is the genuine product!

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Rice:
Koji rice: Hatan Nishiki (Hiroshima Prefecture) milled down to 50%
Kake rice: Iwamizu (Shizuoka Prefecture) Milled down to 55%
Yeast: k901
Dryness: + 2
Acidity: 2
Alcohol: 18~19 %
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive, dry and fruity. Almonds, persimmons, chestnuts
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack backed by pleasant alcohol and puissant junami petillant. Welcome acidity.
Complex. Oranges, persimmons,
Lingers for a while late hints of pears and coffee beans.
Varies little with food but for getting drier with more persimmons. Dark chocolate and milk coffee appear with later sips.
Marries well with food, especially heavy izakaya fare.

Overall: A very solid sake unusual by Shizuoka standards.
Obviously designed to accompany food, especially izakaya fare.
Although only a + 2 dryness is stated, it does feel far drier probably due to the comparatively high acidity.
A “macho” sake by Shizuoka standards to be enjoyed with oden for example!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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

Italian Gastronomy: Dinner at Il Castagno (November 2013) in Shizuoka City!

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Granapado Cheese and pumpkin raviolis!

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment: Great general cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great appetizers. Home-made pasta!. Great use of local products from the land and the sea. Southern Italy and Sardinia gastronomy.
Entirely non-smoking!

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Il Castagno is a simple-looking small Italian restaurant, but it is actually one of the very top in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City for so many reasons!

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Apart of the fact that the establishment is entirely non-smoking allowing guests to fully enjoy the savors of his cuisine, Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん is always on the lookout for new ingredients, especially local, to introduce in a very original gastronomy based on Southern Italian and sometimes French cuisines!

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Plenty of reasonable wines available by the glass or bottle!
It had been quite some time since I had purposefully visited the place and it was about time last Friday to taste new offerings!

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As an appetizer we first a couple of great fresh oysters from Mie Prefecture!

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And the same just lightly steamed!

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We are in full season for kaki/柿/persimmons and we had persimmon fritters wrapped in raw ham!

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A little beauty!

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As the last starter we switched to French mode and had this lovely Terrine de Campagne!

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This is one dish Italians and French agree on!

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Served with local and seasonal marinated shiitake mushrooms!

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Naturally, we had to satisfy a craving for pasta!

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Shrimps, mussles and mini tomato sauce!

SN3O5518From the back, linguine!

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Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん’s half of his pasta is fresh and hand-made and includes some superb raviolis!
As he had two kinds on hand he was kind enough to combine them in a single dish!

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Amaretto-style pumpkin/kabocha raviolis served with shiitake and Granapadano cheese sauce!

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Very unusual raviolis in Japan!

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Granapadano cheese cream ravioli!

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Maybe more classic but very light and tasty! A morsel to slowly enjoy!

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And for dessert a succulent cheese cake and persimmon sorbet!

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Did you know that cheese cakes originated from Greece?

Hope to see you there again soon!

IL CASTAGNO
420-0843 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Tomoe Cho, 48
Tel/Fax: 054-247-0709
Business hours: 11:45~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed every Monday and 3rd Tuesday
Credit cards OK (dinner only)
BLOG (Japanese)
ENTIRELY NON-SMOKING!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 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: 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