Category Archives: Gastronomic Photography

Desserts, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomic Photography, Japan

French dessert: Saffron Creme Brulee and Pistachio Ice Cream at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

March 6, 2014 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.

Saffron (or saffran, the spice) has the image of a seasoning used in combination dishes such Spanish paella, french Bouillabaisse or Indian rice, but it can also be used for extraordinary, is seemingly simlpl, desserts!

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん at Pissenlit French Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, has come with this original creme brulee, basically vanilla seasoned, with an extra twist: saffron!
Once you have cracked the thick and succulent caramel toppings you will discover a very elegant creme with a mysterious flavor!

Although the concept is French in essence, the home-made pistachio will add another aroma from the Mediterranean and middle East!
Note the fine saffron pistils sprinkled over the ice cream!
A rare treat and surely a discovery!

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

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 gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomic Photography, Japan, Shizuoka City

French Gastronomy: Pan-fried Seabream and Organic Spring Vegetables at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

March 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka has an abundant supply of fish, especially madai/真鯛/True seabream, and a wealth of vegetables in Spring!
It is only a question of combining them together!

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん keeps things simple.
he will first fry the fish skin down over a hot fire until it it has attained a paper thin cracking aspect.
Then he will turn it over and let it cook for a while inside the oven!

All the spring vegetables are first lightly boiled in slightly salted water, drained and placed on the plate.
Notice the long rape flower placed under the fish to make sure that it does not come in direct contact with plate! Both decorative and technical!

For a better view of the succulent fish!

The sauce is an extraordinarily elegant and healthy seasoning made with walnuts, shiso/perilla leaves, asparagus and anchovy!

Cauliflower, red daikon and snap peas in their pod!

Rape flower and petit vert Brussels sprout!

Et voila!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

French Cuisine, French gastronomy, Gastronomic Photography, Shizuoka City

French Gastronomy: Asparaguses and Fukinoto Beignets in Fukinoto Sauce at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

March 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん at work!

the steamed white and green asparaguses cultivated in Shimo, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City by Mr. Enomoto and the Yaizu City-grown fukinoto beignets (fritters)!
Fukinoto/フキノトウ is Giant Japanese butterbur, a very popular sanasai/笹井/wild mountain vegetable in Japan which appears on the market end of February~beginning of March!

My Asparaguses and Fukinoto Beignets in Fukinoto sauce!

The fukinoto sauce consists basically of white butter, olive oil, chopped fukinoto and herbs!

As for the beignet/fritter, it is basically the same concept as for zucchini flower fritters!
So tasty and so healthy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Asian (as of February 19th, 2014)

February 19, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Bain Seo, the Vietnamese equivalent, but a lot lighter, of a Japanese okonomiyaki at Annam, Shizuoka City!

Many people only have time to visit restaurants at lunch and it is certainly not easy to find a restaurant with a better lunch with all those cheap diners around!
Here is the sixth installment of a series of reports on recommended lunch restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture which will be classified as follows:
-French
-Italian
-Western (American, European, et al)
-Japanese
-Asian
-Vegan & Vegetarian
-Ethnic
-Healthy
-For families

CHAO CHINESE DINING

Service: Kind, smiling and attentive in spite of a crowded place!
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Shared washroom with Cenove Department Store but very excellent. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mild but very healthy All-Chinese gastronomy

CHAO CHINESE DINING

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 1-1-1 Cenova Department Store, 5F
Tel.: 054-266-3095
Opening hours: 11:00~21:00
Private space possible for up to 7 guests
Parties welcome
Credit cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

——————————————

NAMASTE NIPPON

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!

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!

—————————————-

ANNAM

Service: Very friendly, smiling and attentive
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Superb separate washrooms.
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive.
Strong points: Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine prepared and served by Vietnamese staff. Great use of local products. Vietnamese shochu!

ANNAM
420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kooyamachi, 6-6, Mitduhisa Building, 2F
Tel.: 054-250-2266
Fax: 054-250-2323
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:30
Closed on Mondays
Parties welcome
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

—————————————————

SHIKINJO

Service: Friendly and attentive!
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overal. Clean washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Authentic Chinese gastronomy. Great dimsung/gyoza in 3 different forms!

SHIKINJO
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo Machi, 3-21-20, Kawai Bldg 1F
Tel. & fax: 054-2742727
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 11:30~13:30 & 17:30~22:00
Saturdays, Sundays & National Holidays: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Wednesdays.
Parties welcome
10 minutes walk from Shin Shizuoka Station in Cenova Department Store

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Chinese Gastronomy, Chinese Restaurants, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Health, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Non-smoking restaurants, Recipes, Recommended Lunch Restaurants, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Healthy Chinese Gastronomy at CHAO in Shizuoka City (Cenova Department Store)!

February 19, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Avocado and Mushrooms Tianjin omelet rice!

When it comes to reasonable, healthy food in a clean environment Cenova Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka Citycan be a blessing even if it is crowded at times.
Dragon recommended me CHAO the other day and I paid it my first visit at lunch today.
The place was actually busy but I was ushered in with a smile and attention.
When I placed my order the waitress went as far as to inquire if I had ordered too much!
So, what did I order?

A set of five dimdung/点心!

Great colors!
I checked after my meal, they do not use any monosodium glutamate (MSG) or artificial coloring or seasoning!

From another angle!
Very tasty and light!

Umami tappuri ebichiri/Sweet and sour chili shrimps with plenty of umami!

Very appetizing indeed!

The shrimps tasted fresh. Very mild for such a dish but this is Japan and especially Shizuoka where people are not too keen on hot food! Fine by me!

Avocado and mushrooms Tianjin omelet rice!

Another good point for Chao is that they do try to offer food with a little originality. Their four dishes including avocado was a revelation!

Once again so healthy and tasty!

As service, egg soup made with real chicken soup!

Another visit is definitely on the cards!

CHAO

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Healthy Gastronomy: Vegetable Sommelier Lunch at ICN cafe in Shizuoka City!

February 18, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Easy-going, kind and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Healthy food. Great beer list. Can be patronized as cafe, restaurant or bar.

having to eat out for lunch also means a constant search for healthy food, otherwise….
Shichiken Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, is an area where you can find a few trendy cafes/bars/restaurants serving healthy and tasty food!
The latest is ICN cafe!

It is part of a concept combining show room, shop and cafe/bar which can also be booked entirely for private vents!

You will find some interesting items and collectibles!

Very modern and slightly zany kitchen!

You can patronize it all day a cafe or bar as well!

Very reasonable and plenty of variety for lunch!

Although the pasta, pizza and locomoco look delicious, I would recommend the Vegetable Sommelier Lunch for your first visit!

This particular lunch is designed with the help of a top Shizuoka vegetable Sommelier. Ms. Tomoe Amano!

And they also provide a full description of the dishes down to vitamins and all that!

My lunch!

Now, what did we have there?

Chinese cabbage, carrot and chicken soup!

Very tasty white rice with a few grains of black rice!

Chinese cabbage and rape flowers salad rolls!

Very original kabocha marinated with Shiozuoka Oranges and rosemary!

Chinese cabbage, rice flour and soy milk gratin!

And lemon tea to wash it all down!

Expect a few more articles as I have to not only sample their pizza, pasta and locomoco, but also Baird beer (Numazu City) among the 31 beers they have on the menu!

ICN cafe
420-0035 Shizuoka City, Shichiken-Cho, 5-8, 2F
Tel.: 054-273-8178
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00 (lunch, 11:00~16:45, Dinner: 18:00~)
Closed on Sunday evening and aal Monday
300 yen cover charge from 18:00~
Cash only

FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM: hushtag: #ICNcafe
account: icncafe
Free Wi Fi service: spot-ICN

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レシピ, Barbecue, Beef, Chicken, 美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Pork, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

BBQ with local Chicken, Pork & Beef in Fujinomiya City! (under Mount Fuji!)

February 17, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

Yesterday was a lucky day!
I had the day entirely free but didn’t have a clue how to use iTt
Moreover the weather so good it felt like a balmy Spring day!
On a hunch I went to Shizuoka City JR Station to see where I could go.
I was looking at the station map when someone lightly tapped my shoulder.
I turned around to discover N., a very old chum of mine!
-What brings to Shizuoka Station? he asked me
-I wish I knew! And where are you going to yourself?
-Fujinomiya City! M. is having a small BBQ lunch party at his workplace and he just invited me?
-M.! (another old chum of mine!). I didn’t know he was holding a BBQ!
-Well, it was decided on a whim as he wants to celebrate his going back to New Zealand!
-Really? Could you call and see if he is ok with my joining!
……….
-He said, fine we are waiting for the both of you to join the fun!

Although it looks a bit far on a map, Fujinomiya City, especially Fujinomiya Station is not that far from Shizuoka City.
First you go to Fuji City and then change to a rain on the Minobu Line. Very simple.

Mount Fuji at Fujine Station!

If you want to take great pics of Mount Fuji this is the line to board!

A half Mount Fuji in Fujinomiya City!

Fujinomiya City is at the very foot of Mount Fuji, so people there have somewhat stopped noticing it!

Mount Fuji lost in aerial cables!

Red light Mount Fuji!

Pachinko Mount Fuji!

Our friend A., the back of A., another chum, J., a new friend, and Dino, another old pal!

A.’s workplace includes a small veranda where we can hold BBQ in the sun!

The LP gas operated BBQ gear, all imported from New Zealand!

Can be used in 4 different ways!

M. at work!

Greta chicken and pork!

Fujinomiya City is a major meat producing area and on that day all the chicken, pork and beef were local!

We had twoKiwis, one Ozzie, one Croatian, two Canucks, one Pom, two Yankees and a Frog on that day!
But we all spoke English!
And we all like our meet well cooked!

The beef was to be cooked later!

Just the minimum of greens on that day! LOL

M.’s is a great workplace where you can have a peek at Mount Fuji from all kinds of angles!

Time to grill the enormous beef steaks!

R,. M., M. the host, Dino and a Grateful Dead lover!

The beef is sizzling under the lid!

I shared my beef with N.! It was just too big!

M. and J. having a musical break!

I had an early switch from the beer to New Zealand Hawke’s Bay red wine!

R. having a peek!

Serious drinking business for R. and Dino!

Dino’s awful mixture!

Grateful Dead and R.!

We had a bit of a long way back home as some trains didn’t reach Fujinomiya City because of the recent snow storm!

When we changed trains at Fuji, I noticed the snow on the roof of the train we had just left!

Looking forward to my next trip to Fujinomiya City!

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, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Hamburgers, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Yaizu Burgers at Bakery Kiosk in Yaizu JR Station! Part 1

February 15, 2014 dragonlife 5 Comments

Yaizu slider!

Service: Smiling and kind
Facilities & Equipment: Overall very clean. Non smoking
Prices: Reasonable:
Strong points: Local ingredients!

What’s that billboard on the first floor of Yaizu City JR Station South exit?

BAKERY KIOSK?

Advertising local food?

Yaizu City being a major fishing harbor it is only normal that local shops come up with some interesting ideas using local seafood!

This is also very tempting but that will for the next time (very soon!)!

You can eat inside in a no smoking environment! Really appreciated!

Among 3 different burgers I decided to choose for the day: Maguro Katsu Burger/Deep-fried Tuna Burger/Japanesestyle slider!

Maguro Menchi Burger/ Minced tuna burgers!

My order!

Maguro Menchi Burger ingredienst clearly indicated!

Both traditional and unusual!

I had a good look at the simple ingredients before biting into the whole thing!

Very tasty and healthy, lighter than I expected but fulfilling!

The Japanese-style slider inside a very solid cellophane paper wrapper. Very safe for transport!
The shop will heat them first if you want to eat them on site!

All ingredients very precisely indicated whatever the product!

Yummy deep-fried tuna inside!

As good as meat!

See you there next time for the other items!

BAKERY KIOSK
Yaizu City JR Station, South Exit, 2F, right hand side
Opening hours: 07:30~20:30

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美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomy: Dinner at Tomii (February 2014) in Shizuoka City!

February 15, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Professional and attentive
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness, superb washroom
Prices: expensive
Strong Points: Refined Japanese gastronomy. Great list of Shizuoka Sake and drinks in general. Seasonal products.

It had been a very long time since I last visited Tomii in Aoi Ku in Shizuoka City the other night and I had been wandering how well the establishment had fared all that time!

Well I noted a great improvement with the drinks, especially sake, with no less than 8 brews from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Hakuin Masamune Homarefuji Junmai by Takashima Brewery in Numazu City!

First of all the appetizers:
Oonigyu beef Corned bee at the back, Matsumae at the front left and Nikomori/Globefish skin jelly terrine!

A light o-tsukuri/sashimi plate!

Akagai/Blood arkshell!

Bachi maguro tuna, madai/true seabream and shimesaba/marinated mackerel!

Now, what’s all that seasoning for (grated garlic, chopped scallions and grated ginger)?

Can you guess?

Sakua/Basashi/Horsemeat sashimi!
A delicacy!

A Shizuoka treat for dessert!

Beautiful matcha creme brulee!

To be continued….

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sugii Brewery-“Yaoyorozu”Yamahai Junmai Homarefuji

February 14, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sugii Brewery has been brewing this particular brand for some time and it is noteworthy for more than reason.
First of all it is a Yamahai, a variety of sake than many breweries conscientiously ignore as it is difficult to master its natural fermentation.
Interestingly enough “Shizuoka Yamahai” is tarting to get some deserved attention from the rest of Japan as many Shizuoka breweries have made it their challeng to tackle it.
And the results are certainly striking!

Another interesting aspect is that the rice is Shizuoka-grown Hoamrefuji, which is steadily earning its lettres de noblesse (fame)!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 70%
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 2.0
Bottled in Novemeber 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. bananas, custard.
Body: Very fluid
Taste: Dry deep attack.
Little junmai petillant.
Complex. Tends to show new facets in slightly wild and unpredictable fashion.
Fruity: dry oranges. Later dark chocolate and milk coffee.
Welcome acidity.
Disappears quickly enough with hints of dry coffee beans.
Becomes momentarily drier and deeper with food.
Takes on a sweeter turn immediately after food with strong hints of milk coffee.
Superbly marries with any food.

Overall: Although obviously conceived to be drunk with food, it is a thoroughly enjoyable sake on its own with intriguing facets enticing you to the next cup and the nest one beyoond.
A very dangerous sake in a sense as you don’t tire of it and feel obliged to discover a new facet!
A challenge, and a successful one at that be it on the brewer’s side or the drinker’s!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Healthy Bento by Real Food Market “Akutsu” in Shizuoka City!

February 11, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last Sunday during the 1st Shizuoka Seeds Exchange Meet I had the occasion to sample one of those healthy bento made by Real Food Market Akutsu in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

A menu was also kindly provided!

The whole bento was well protected!

Now, what did we have?

Rice grown by Mr. Aoki in Shizuoka City mixed with some kuromai/black rice!

Fried vegetables seasoned with leek miso!
Incidentally all the vegetables are grown organically in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Top: Shio konbu seaweed seasoned with wasabi
Bottom: Rape flowers, cauliflower, carrot and Red heart daikon!

Shizuoka Bioran eggs tortilla, deep-fried potato, pasta, tomato sauce, boiled greens!

Tofu and meat hamburger with home-made demi glace sauce!

Not only healthy but very tasty!

REAL FOOD MARKET “AKUTSU”
420-0867 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban Cho, 91 (along Sengen Shrine Street)
Tel.: 054-221-4046
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Tuesdays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Avocado & Cheddar Cheese Hamburger at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

February 11, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

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!

there was still one basic hamburger I hadn’t put my teeth for lunch on at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City: Avocado & Cheddar Cheese Hamburger!

Simple enough in concept it still made for quite some volume!

What I like about their hamburgers is the inclusion of plenty of leafy greens!
After all it is a whole meal!

Big tomato slice for great balance both in design and ingredients!

Thinly sliced avocado for easy eating!

Thick slice of cheddar cheese directly atop the beef patty!

They take time and care to prepare and cook the beef patties!

more greens with the lunch set! Much appreciated!

And coffee to wash it all down!

I’m afraid I’ll have to wait for a while till the next report as I have tried everything on the regularly changed menu!

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

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Italian Gastronomy: Cocoa Tagliatelle & Venison Ragu at Soloio in Shziuoka City!

February 11, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

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!

Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん does come with some interesting variations albeit logical!

If you want dark brown tagliatelle, cocoa powder is evident. But bear in mind it is powder note sweet chocolate!
The slightly acid taste makes for a beautiful balance with the venison ragu sauce and some parmigiano and freshly chopped basil topping!

Beautiful!
And so tasty!

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

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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AOI BEER STAND: Latest News of Forthcoming Brewery in Shizuoka City-Aoi Beer Brewery (February 10th, 2014)!

February 10, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Naoki Mando on the far right of the picture!

Service: Easy-going and friendly
Facilities: Very clean overall. Beautiful washroom inside Den Bulding.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Craft beers only!

Yesterday I made a call for drinhks and information at Aoi Beer Stand in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!
Since the owner Naoki Mando was on hand I asked him a few precise questions which he was kind enough to answer!

First of all I learned that he had registered the name Aoi/葵/Holluhock and the crest as his beer label from Kunozan Shrine and the City of Shizuoka!
The only sobering about that (no pun intended!) is since that the city wants to include his beer in bottles in City Souvenirs Sets, Naoki found himself forced to produce his beer not only in kegs but also in in bottles, meaning more work, equipment and costs!

The brewery equipment should be finally installed end of march and production should start end of April~beginning of may!

Now, Naoki will brew 6 regular beers:
-Pilsner
-Pale Ale
-IPA
-Belgium White
-Weizen
-Dark Lager

To that he will add seasonal beers featuring:
-Shzuoka Strawberry Beer
-Shizuoka Ornage Beer
-Shizuoka Kikuimo/jerusalem Artichoke Beer
-Shizuoka O Cha/Geen Tea Beer

Look forward to the next report!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

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1st Shizuoka Seeds & Seedlings Exchange Meet in Shizuoka City!-大１回静岡種苗交換会！

February 9, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

The ist Shizuoka Seeds Exhange Meet was held on Sunday February 9th by farmers from all over the Prefecture under the leadership of a young farmer named Fumitaka Yamaguchi.
Attendants included not only farmers, but also guests interested in farming in general, in seeds exchange and willing to get a better understanding of farming.

Although the meeting started at 11:30, the meeting room at the Shizuoka Waork Insurance Building was already half full by 11:00!

Plenty of seeds and products were exhibited for a general view before the actual exchange during the second part of the meeting!

And more!

Specialized books were also on sale as well as plenty of information brochures for free!

Organic carrots!

Egg plants and okra grown for seeds!

More seeds!

A very smooth organization!

Many varieties of organic rice!

Organic sugar cane cultivated in Shizuoka City!
Did you know that these pieces of sugar cane are used as “seeds”?

Fumitaka Yamaguchi welcoming all and explaining the schedule of the Meet!

First we were shown a long film on the dangers of Gene Modified grains, seeds , vegetables, fruit and plants in general in the States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Africa!
A real eye-opener. Frightening, actually!

The second part consisted of a very good discussion with Chef Kenya Yoshimura, Farmer Mitsuharau Ishigami and organic food trader Mika Itoh.
The main topics were about the work of producing one’s own seeds, the protection of native plants, the safety and traceability of food and the future of farming!
I’m really looking forward to the next Meet as there is a real need for such exchange and so many issues to discuss!