Category Archives: Cafe

Ice Creams and Fruit Parfaits at La Palette in Mochimune, Shizuoka City!

Service: Kind, smiling and attentive
Equipment: Spotless clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Fruit parfaits, ice creams and coffee! Terrace upstairs

For the past two years now Mochimune in Shizuoka City has literally been through a rebirth form its ashes of different era when people flocked to the beaches and seaside cafes and bars.
Now, very few people go to the beach but for hobby fishing and an occasional barbecue.
Mochimune had to reinvent itself. With the venue of a hot spring, some fine new bars and restaurants, a microbrewery and a whole complex of single floor hotels the city is completely changing and attracting an ever increasing flock of new tourists.

Count a 15~20 minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station, and although car parking is not difficult, some exercise will be welcome before you find the place along the street running parallel to the seafront!

Ice creams come into all kinds of favors but I particularly like their fruit parfaits!
Above is their classical double flavor ice cream balls topped with strawberries with black coffee!

Tiramisu style coffee ice cream, vanilla ice cream and nuts served with coffee!

By fine weather grab a seat on the second floor terrace to enjoy coffee, ice creams, or even wine and craft beer!

The last time we went there, that is on a sunny day near the end of the winter we enjoyed this beautiful seasonal fresh strawberries (cultivated in winter in Shizuoka) ice cream parfait!

For the sweet tooth away from the crowds!

LA PALETTE

〒421-0122 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 4-21-12
Tel: 054-204-6911
Opening hours: 11:00~18:00
Closed on Thursdays (but better check as it does often open on such a day! Also beer, wine and snacks available!

GOOGLE MAP

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Lunch at ARMO CAFFE in Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku!

Service: very kind and smiling
Equipment and facilities: overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: tasty lunch sets. Informal cafe atmosphere

Armo Caffe along a main thoroughfare in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, is a bit out of the ordinary as it a cafe cobined with a high grade cycling shop!

A big car park being provided it is very popular not only with the locals, but cyclists and travelers of all fields!
The more for it has a very easy-goin, laid back atmosphere about it!

It directly communicates with a top class cycling shop!

A very cean place!

Have a close look at the shelf!

A bonus for customers in a hurry! Take-out menu!

Menu 1!

Menu 2!

Menu 3!
Bear in mind they change regularly, especially according to seasons and available products!

What my friend and I ordered!

ham, home-made bread, quiche, and so on!

A very original pizza (the vegetables are local!)!

I’m sure that sportsmen (it is located between IAI Nihondaira Stadium and S-Pulse Training Grounds!), bikers and ladies will love it!

ARMO CAFFEE
424-0902 Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Orido, 2 Chome-2
Opening hours: 1::00~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only
Tel.: 054-334-9393

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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

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

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

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

It also sells utensils, souvenirs and history!

A very spacious cafe with direct view on Japanese nature!

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

The gelato/ice cram on offer!

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

Delicious matcha gelato!

And superb top class new green tea!

Definitely worth the drive!

TEA TIME MARUHA

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Gastronomic Destinations: Brunch at Coffee House Maki in Kyoto!

maki-8

Service: Smiling and very attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. excellent wahroom. Completely non-smoking on Sundays
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Morning/brunch sets/ sandwiches/fine coffees/take-outs.

maki

Coffee House Maki in Kyoto is an extremely popular cafe in Kyoto for many reasons. First of all,in my own biased opinion, it has successfully preserved its “Showa Era” atmosphere over the years to the point you definitely experienced a time slip every time you enter the establishment! Having lived 40 years in Japan it certainly brings back many memories!
interestingly enough the smoking half area (oh well….) consists of long sofas against the wall while the non-smoking half consists of tables and chairs.
Fortunately Sundays are completely non-smoking!

maki-3

Another reason is that they add seasonal sets on top of a an already long menu (for a cafe) and it is no wonder that the place is mainly, on weekdays that is, patronized by locals and regulars who all seemed to be known by name by the smiling staff!

maki-4

Incidentally, this is still a place where slow food is the name of the game, so do take your time!
As we had had no time for breakfast, we decided to order two different sets as brunches!
Dragon opted for the hot sandwich set!

maki-6

Served with salad and coffee!
Special for the coffee by the way! Dripped coffee of course!

maki-5

For all its apparent simplicity the hot sandwich was succulent ( I stole a portion of course!) with fluffy eggs and three more fillings!

maki-7

As for me, I ordered the “Chiri Kon Kan Dogu”, that is the Japanese for Chili con Carne Hot Dog!

maki-9

Simple enough again, but they make a point of creating their very own chili sauce and use locally grown vegetables!

maki-10

Just the right size and taste for breakfast or a light brunch!
Satisfying but not overfilling!
No wonder the place is always crowded!

COFFEE HOUSE MAKI

〒602-0822 Kyoto City, Jyoukyou Ku, Kawahara Cho, Imadegawa Agaru, Seityuu Cho, 211
〒602-0822 京都市上京区河原町今出川上ル清龍町211
Google map
Tel.: 075-222-2460
Opening hours: 08:30~19:00
Completely smoking on Sundays
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Cafe: Kissa Ahiru in Mochimune, Shizuoka City!

AHIRU-2

Service:shy but smiling and very attentive
Equipment & facilities: Overall spotless clean. Small but superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: fresh drip coffee. Home-made sandwiches

AHIRU-3

Although cafes were to be seen everywhere before the invasion of notorious chain establishments, they almost completely disappeared not so long ago.
Fortunately for the sake of true cafe lovers, a revival seems, albeit still timidly, on its way and it has become a good idea to be on the lookout for new cafes as they tend to appear in unusual places!

The other day, having a few hours in my sleeve, I decided to take a stroll in Mochimune, aoly two stations away from Shizuoka City.
I noticed a change around a corner a few seconds away from the station exit.
There used to be a cafe there, but it seemed to have changed completely!

AHIRU-4

It is called “Kissa Ahiru”.
The owner, Mr. Hideaki Tokunaga/徳永秀秋さん opened it in April this year!
A small but cozy cafe, it sits about 7 people at three small tables and four more at the counter.
It is spotless clean and it was a pleasure to learn it was entirely non-smoking!

AHIRU-5

The menu is simple enough with three types of coffee, but all drip-style!
Other drinks such a black tea, cocoa, cafe au lait, royal milk tea are also on offer with soft drinks.

AHIRU-6

You can also have coffee or tea refill for half price.
If you order a sandwich with your drink, 200 yen will be taken off the total bill.

AHIRU-7

Hot avocado sandwich!

If you are hungry the hot generous sandwiches are good value!
All in a haven of peace away from the crowds and the smoke!

KISSA AHIRU

Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 4-3-27, Oomi Bdg, 1F (1 minute on foot from Mochimune JR Station)
Tel.: 090-9937-7699
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Thursdays
One beer night every month!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine
, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City