Category Archives: Italian Cuisine

レシピ, 美食, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Summer Italian Truffles 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!

Summer is a great season when it comes to mushrooms!
No wonder that Solio is offering Italian Summer Truffles on its menu, and this at a very reasonable price!

They were clearly stated on the seasonal carte inserted inside the regular menu!

Proud Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦 and Sommelier Mieko Ozawa/小澤美恵子!

But before we sampled these beautiful black jewels there were other morsels to take care of to satisfy our appetites!

Tuna tartare!

So light and so succulent! Heavens for any fish lover!

Solio has a constant array of anitpasti you can’t escape from: Shrimps and octopus!

And so elegantly served!

On a bed of superb carpaccio of sole!

Beautiful octopus!

By then it was time to indulge in the truffles!

On white asparaguses!

Solio serves simply the best rizotto in the Prefecture!

Extravagant Summer Truffles risotto!

For once we skipped dessert and finished with coffee…

Actually, the home-made crostini made for a nice little dessert! LOL

To be continued…

To be continued…

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shirogisu, Shizuoka agricultural products, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: “Quick Dinner” at Soloio in Shizuoka City (Late Spring 2012)

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Another superlative risotto!
Check below!

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!

There are days and nights when Solio Restaurant is so practical as it opens as early as 16:00 and as late as 24:00!
But it is could also be said it is a venture fraught with dangers, what with the constant temptation to drink and dine late! LOL

Solio always has an array of appetizers/antipasti ready to be chosen from, a boon for hungry and busy people!
We had this little delicious asparagus and shrimps salad!
It was with the beer we had first after a long day of shopping!

Apart of the regular printed menu and specialties of the day written on the overhead blackboard make sure to have a look at the small seasonal menu included on a loose sheet inside the menu!
There are discoveries to be made as the above white shrimps from Toyama Prefecture served deep-fried!
Another beauty for the beer!
Alright let’s discover what we had with the wine!

Roma-Style rice croquettes!
You had better keep those away from kids! They are just too dainty and scrumptious! LOL

Home-made sausage!
We should have kept some beer for that!
A rare time when I called a sausage “elegant”!

We had to have one of the two risottos of the day (I wished we had both!)!
Spring cabbage (very tender and sweet) and cockles risotto cooked in the cockles soup/juices!

It was a fight as whether to have pasta or dessert!
This fight resolved it was a second struggle as to which pasta we would order!

Nagano Prefecture wild boar stew with rosemary parpadelle!
Do I need to comment any further?

To be continued…

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Il Castagno (June 2012) in Shizuoka City!

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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.

Kenji Inami/稲見謙司 of Il Castagno in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, has just come back from a two-week research and tourism trip from Sardinia Island!
It was about time to pay a belated visit!

Every time I eat there I cannot keep my eyes off their home-made crostini!

You can buy them separately to take back home!

Note that the place is entirely non-smoking!

Next time you go there have a good look at the photographs and comments on their Sardinia trip while you wait for your order!

Kenji Inami/稲見謙司 at work!

Nice list of wines by the glass!

I had a couple of glasses of Sardinian wine to accompany my lunch!

Cannonau di Sardegna, 2008, red, by Sella & Mosca!

Very reasonably-priced and generous lunch sets!

This is the set I ordered!

I chose the second pasta dish!
Now, what did I have?

Assortment of appetizers!

Shitake Mushroom puff, quiche and onion confit!

Vegetable salad with crispy Sardinia-style unleaveend thin bread!

Home-made rustic bread!

Home-made Tagliorini pasta with wild shiitake, beef, pork and mini tomato sauce!

Thin and light but very satisfying pasta with a beautiful sauce!
I’m becoming Italian!

Most of the ingredients are from Shizuoka Prefecture!

The dessert assortment!

Cinnamon apple tart, egg cake and strawberry sorbet!

Coffee as it should be served!

And the crostini!

See you at dinner next time!

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)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
ENTIRELY NON-SMOKING!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Osteria Porta Porta in Shizuoka City (May 2012)

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Squid Ink Pasta!

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment: Great general cleanliness. Superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great appetizers. Mainly local vegetables. excellent wine list.
Non smoking at lunch time!

Osteria Porta Porta and his young chef, Hidetake Suzuki/鱸秀武 are slowly and surely achieving a well-deserved fame in Shizuoka City for the homey but inventive Southern Italian gastronomy served in a very informal and so friendly, if a bit shy, manner!

I make a point to pay them regular visit as they use only seasonal products mainly from Shizuoka, but also from Italy and Europe!

My favorite place at the small counter by the window!

The pasta served at Osteria Porta Porta!

Even at lunch look at the “carte” on the blackboard!
You will get tempted away from the regular menu!

Interesting traditional pasta making tools!

A painting of Puglia houses!

Reasonable Italian red wine and beautiful home-baked bread!
I was very hungry at that particular lunch so I ordered the biggest lunch menu!

Antipasti misto plate!
Always so generous at Osteria Porta Porta!

If I hadn’t been so hungry that would have been enough, what with caprese salad, pork terrine, fish escabeche, quiche, ham, and vegetable salad!

Squid ink pasta with plenty of local squid! So fresh and delicious!

Fujinomiya RYB Ton (pronounce “Louis Vuiton!) pork steak and vegetables!

From another angle to show you the attention to details!

I love lentils!

The dessert!

What do we have there?

Non wheat flour hazelnuts cake!

Home-made dry fruit cassata ice-cream!

And coffeee served asit should be!

Alright, alright, i promise another report at dinner next time! LOL

Osteria Porta Porta
420-0839 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 2-13-11, Topia Takajyo, 103
Tel./fax: 054-266-7320
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30^22:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Cuttle Fish, 烏賊, 美食, 観光, 魚海の幸, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Spanish Gastronomy, Spanish Restaurant, Spear squid, squid, Tourism, 槍烏賊

Japanese Cuttlefish/Squids Species 1: Spear Squid-Yari Ika-槍烏賊

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Cuttlefish or squids are eaten almost all the world as they seem to inhabit the whole planet! They are the favourite food of many big fish such as tuna, whales and birds. Although humans contribute to dwindling stocks, they will never consume the same amount as its natural predators.

The Japanese call them Ika/烏賊, roughly meaning crow shellfish/cephalopods.

This is the start of a long series. I do hope you like them, otherwise you are in for a long haul!LOL

Yari Ika Sashimi Salad!

Yari Ika/槍烏賊, or Spear Squid, are also known under the names of Sashiika, Sayaika, Shyakuhachi, Tsutsuika or Sayanaga.
In Japan they are mainly caught in Winter and Spring off the shores of Aomori, Hokkaido, Ibaragi, Mie, Aichi and Yamaguchi Prefectures. Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture is replete with many varieties.
Females are slightly more rounded than the males.
They are either caught with nets or lines.
Their flesh is comparatively thin, but soft and sweet. They are among the most popular in Japan.
The best specimens are the ones caught by line. Buy them live whenever possible.

They make for beautiful sushi with the body and tentacles (geso/ゲソ) served separately.
They can ordered seasoned with salt and lemon juice, or with tare sauce!
The best sushi restaurants will serve them sashimi or sushi with two different types of soy sauce.

Cooked Japanese style they are simple and succulent, grilled served with soy sauce!

Do try them stuffed, Japanese style!

Or Spanish style!

Needless to say, they are popular in local Italian Restaurants!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 野菜, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Risotto, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Spring “Tidbits” at Soloio in Shizuoka City, Japan!

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Now, what was that superlative risotto made with?
Read below!

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!

Whenever I discover a new risotto concocted by Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦, who unofficially make the best in Shizuoka Prefecture, it seems to reminds me of Charles at Five Euro Food.. It might be time to challenge him to create a risotto for 5 euros!

I’ve already introduced Solio in Shizuoka many a time, but I go there regularly for a glass of wine and a single dish in between work I’ll just proceed directly to introduce the “tidbits” I recently enjoyed!

This salad was prepared with enormous lucolla/roquette leaves organically grown by one of the Chef’s neighbors!
In Shizuoka there is very little in using imported or mass-produced vegetables!

Beautiful lucolla leaves! Enormous, crispy and so delicious with a minimal dressing. Health in heaven!

The orange tomatoes are also grown in Shizuoka City!

Solio’s risottos are mostly seasonal.
The other day I asked if Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦 had any secrets for his famous recipes.
He simply enough replied:
“Any good chef can come up with truly great risottos if he uses good and fresh products. The only difference is the stock/stock soup!”
Great answer, but I will never know his secret stock!
Now, what was the above risotto made with?

Shizuoka-grown Na no Hana/Broccolini and Hokkaido “Kegani/毛蟹/Horsehair crab, Horse crab, supposedly the best crab in Japan!
Extravagant!

Now, how about this creamy one I had last night?

Sora mame/蚕豆/Broad beans and Talegio Cheese!

Takehiko asked me to try and come when the restaurant is not too busy as I tend to request dishes that are written on the official menu…

To be continued…

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Gastronomic Feast: Spring Dinner by Pissenlit and Nori-Behind the Scene!

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On Saturday March 10th a very special dinner organised by two of the best chefs in Shizuoka, Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀 of Nori in Fujieda City and Tooru Arima/有馬亨 of Pissenlit in Shizuoka City was held at Pissenlit Restaurant in Shizuoka City with the help of two great farmers, Mr. Yoshinori Iguchi/井口芳則 in Fujieda City and Mr. Masaaki Hirakaki/平垣正明 in Fujinomiya City who provided the vegetables. most of them organic!

The event was called:
“春の食の都　仕事人ウイーク”スペシャルディナー
“Spring Gastronomy City (Shizuoka) Chefs Week” Special Dinner

For once I was not sitting at the table enjoying the food and drinks but in the kitchen reporting behind the scene(s)!
This report is thus a photography rendition of the event seen from the other side of the fence:

Tooru Arima/有馬亨 and Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀!

The dining room staff planning in the dark…

table setting.

White Asparagus flans were ready.

What are these dried mini carrots for?

We’Il see those again later!

Seasoning the fish.

Was that enough seasoning?
Yup!

The dining room is ready to welcome the guests!

Rainbow Trout from Kunugi Fish Farm in Fujinomya City!

Getting ready for the aperitifs!

Mr. Yoshinori Iguchi/井口芳則 and Mr. Masaaki Hirakaki/平垣正明, the men who made it possible!

Searing the fish beforehand.

Only seared but already beautiful!

Home-made bread naturally!

Organic vegetables!

The aperitif was umeshu flavored with matcha by Fuji Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City!

Brushing pies with egg yolk.

The first (cold) hors d’oeuvre taking shape.

I had a hard time keeping my hands off these!

Adding the Genovese capellini.

The first cold hors d’oeuvres!

Searing the veal caillette in crepinette!

The second (hot) hors d’oeuvres in the starting blocks!

The white asparagus flans on parade.

Almost ready with the leek and spinach pies flavored with truffles!

The second (hot) hors d’oeuvres!

Oura burdock chips.

Oura burdock veloute.

Takinogawa burdock agnelotti being boiled!

The pasta dish taking shape!

Almost ready…

Some Pecorino cheese…

The pasta dish!

Some veal caillette in crepinette still to be prepared.

Fresh bamboo shoots from Fujieda City!

The sasa bamboo leaves to support the fish.

Shiso/perilla flowers for decoration.

The fish course taking shape.

Almost ready…

Rainbow trout on a black plate!

The same on a white plate!

Back to the veal caillettes in crepinete…

The same being seared…

into the oven…

The sauce!

finished with a torch instead of a salamander!

Onto the plates…

A meat dish so simple and so beautiful!

The last touch!

The meat course!

Organic deep red carrot gelato!

Sugar on the dried carrots…

Organic Takinogawa burdock tart!

You won’t find these outside Japan!

Such a healthy and beautiful dessert!

Time to go!

Incidentally, part of the bill was earmarked for charity for the victims of the Fukushima disaster!

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)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

NORI

426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese, but do check it for great photographs of the house and garden!)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India
Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London
Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, 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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 野菜, 観光, 農業, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Kitayama Organic Farm: Great Chefs meet Great Farmers in Fujinomiya City!

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Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀 of Nori in Fujieda City, Tooru Arima/有馬亨 of Pissenlit in Shizuoka City and the Hirakakis, Masaaki and Kiko/平垣正明・紀子 at Kitayama Organic Farm/北山農園 in Fujinomiya City!

Today I finally had the honor and pleasure to introduce two of the very top chefs in Shizuoka Prefecture, namely Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀 of Nori in Fujieda City and Tooru Arima/有馬亨 of Pissenlit in Shizuoka City to the Hirakakis, Masaaki and Kiko/正明・紀子, owners and producers at Kitayama Organic Farm/北山農園 in Fujinomiya City!
This had been long in the offing and the three of us decided to drive this Tuesday all the way from Shizuoka City to Fujinomiya City at the very foot of Mount Fuji to visit the Organic Farm of the Kitayamas not only for a formal meeting but also to establish a gastronomic event to take place in the very near future!

The Hirakakis have refurbished this ancient farmhouse on their own!
Both were professional photographers before deciding to venture in organic farming!

Pure water gushing down the slopes of Mount Fuji is one reason why Fujinomiya City is so celebrated for its superlative agriculture!

Having gone through the necessary introductions I made myself scarce after a while to let them discuss their plans.
The two chefs had struck on the idea of a collaboration dinner at Restaurant Pissenlit on the 10th of March based on the vegetables grown by the Kitayamas whose merits I had praised for some time.

Some of their vegetables on the table around which they were sitting…

Delicious pickles from the same vegetables.
Sorry for the fuzzy pictures but it was very dark inside the farmhouse!

More pickles…

While they were deep in talks I took a peek inside a greenhouse behind the farmhouse.
What are these?

All kinds of sliced radishes and turnips left to dry!

Swiss chards!

I came back to find them snacking on dried sweet potatoes!

Artichokes that will be harvested beginning of next summer!

Time had finally come to make a grand tour of the 3 ha where the Kitayamas grow more than 190 varieties of organic vegetables at different times of the year!

Golden carrot!

Burgundy carrot!

Cute orange carrot!

Purple daikon field!

The purple daikon!

To be frank, there were so many kinds I didn’t have the time to write down their names! Shall we call these mini thread purple and white daikon?

Komatsuna!

Romanesco broccoli!

Red daikon field!

Organic cabbages!

Organic red cabbages!

Shimonita leeks field!

Highly valued variety of leek in Japan!

Some of the beauties I took back home!

Looking forward to visiting the Kitayamas again next spring!

KITAYAMA ORGANIC FARM

Masaaki and Kiko Hirakaki
418-0112 Fujinomiya Shi, Kitayama, 3102
Tel./Fax: 0544-25-2795
Mobile phone: 090-2261-8821
HOMEPAGE
Private orders welcome over the phone!

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)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

NORI

426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese, but do check it for great photographs of the house and garden!)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, Dessert, 野菜, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Gastronomes, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Pizza, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Tourism, vegetables

Shizuoka Italian Restaurants Top Ranking! (As of Beginning of 2012)

4 Comments

1) NORI

Service: Very friendly and relaxed. Very intelligent explanations and presentations.
Equipment: Great general cleanliness in a beautifully decorated house. Superb washroom
Prices: Very reasonable considering the extravagant quality.
Strong points: A great accent on local products both from the land and the sea. Gastronomic Italian-style cuisine with a constant research on new products and methods. Excellent wine list. Superb grappa.

NORI
426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

——————————-

2 SOLIO

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!

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

———————————-

3) ORTA RISTORANTE

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Superb cleanliness through and through and beautiful washroom.
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Authentic Northern Italian Gastronomy. Good wine list. Very fresh ingredients, local whenever possible

ORTA RISTORANTE
Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Banya, 675, 2F
tel. & Fax: 053-455-0321
Business hours: 11:30~14:, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays
HOMEPAGECredit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

———————————
4) AQUAVITE

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable to expensive.
Strong points: Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

————————–

5) CONTORNO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: great cleanliness overall
Prices: reasonable.
Strong points: Many local products be they from the land or the sea. Organic vegetables. Car park.

SEE MAP

CONTORNO
421-0122, Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 5-1-10, Sunrise Mochimune (5 minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station. Second stop after Shizuoka)
Tel.: 054-2565877
Business hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~21:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, Desserts, 野菜, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fujieda City, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Shizuoka Products Feast at NORI in Fujieda City!

4 Comments

Salad of Sayori/針魚/Japanese Halfbeak in Champagne Vinaigrette and Shizuoka Vegetables!

Service: Very friendly and relaxed. Very intelligent explanations and presentations.
Equipment: Great general cleanliness in a beautifully decorated house. Superb washroom
Prices: Very reasonable considering the extravagant quality.
Strong points: A great accent on local products both from the land and the sea. Gastronomic Italian-style cuisine with a constant research on new products and methods. Excellent wine list. Superb grappa.

I’m not afraid to aver that NORI in Fujieda City is the best Italian restaurant in Shizuoka Prefecture, and I’m certainly not the only person to venture in such a declaration!

Fuminori and Eri Nishitani/西谷文紀砥英里御夫妻!

After years in Italy honing his talents, Fuminori Nishitani opened his Restaurant NORI in Fujieda City completely off the beaten tracks inside a splendid house that his mother originally used an atelier on October 1st 2003 in the company of his wife, Eri, who looks after the dining room/hall in spite of a growing family.

The main dining room sits up to 20 guests at tables while a side room can sit small parties as well one other room with Japanese style seating.
Incidentally you are asked to take your shoes off to wear comfortable slippers and the whole place is absolutely non-smoking!

A bulletin informs all guests of coming events in a simple manner.

The decoration and furniture are certainly worth a second and third look for its beautiful combination of many genres!

Even the layout of the tables reflects a sweet marriage of cultures!

If you sit at the right table you can see the Chef at work in the distant kitchen!

The “official wine list”!

An excellent wine list is on offer but bear in mind there are many more nectars stashed away for your asking!

The menu of the night!

Whereas at lunch time you do not need to reserve (but play safe by calling beforehand!) dinner has to be reserved over the phone.
You will be asked to propose your own budget and the Chef will prepare a menu accordingly!
If you ask a few days in advance you can also arrange for specialties of your liking with the Chef.
You will find a personal menu card waiting for you beside your plate for you to take back home with notes you can write on as each dish is carefully explained to you!

Arigatou/Thank you! design on your Japanese-style paper tablecloth!

Here is the wine we ordered:
Maurus 207, Vie de Romans, Merlot Grapes in Piemonte!
Solid but very smooth and fruity!

Foie gras crostini!

As a rule, I do not mention prices, but this is an exceptional case: I had reserved a dinner according to a budget of 7,000 yen per person (drinks not included), that is, 70 Euros or nearly 90 US$, to show you the great value!
The above foie gras crostini was not mentioned on the menu card!

Salad of Sayori/針魚/Japanese Halfbeak in Champagne Vinaigrette and Shizuoka Vegetables!
Sayori or halfbeak is a favorite at sushi restaurants. They are in their best season right now in the Suruga Bay bathing our shores!
That particular fish was caught in Sagami/相模.

The fish was served as a variant of carpaccio with a succulent Champagne vinaigrette and chrysanthememum petals.
The pearl tomatoes are grown by Mr. Suzuki in Iwata City while all the other vegetables come from the Farm of Mr. Iguchi in Fujieda City!

Home-baked soft walnut bread!

Home-baked Shizuoka green tea bread!

A potage made with “uangi imo” from Hamamatsu City!
Unagi imo is a very sweet kind of sweet potato/satsuma imo. No sugar was added in spite of its incredible sweetness! A discovery!

“Aburi Anago no Spaghetti, Yuzu Koshio Fuuaji”/炙り穴子スパゲッティ柚子胡椒風味

Capellini-style spaghetti with conger eel seasoned with yuzu koshio/lime pepper sauce!

The leaf vegetable on top of the conger eel (very famous product of Western Shizuoka!) is urui/うるい/Hosta Montana, a kind of wild mountain vegetable!

Whole wheat garganerri with gibier sauce!
Unfortunately the ingredients in the game sauce were a secret but I suspect that wild boar and venison were involved…

Great parmesan shaved on top!

Chef Nishitani brought this contraption from Italy to make his own garganerri!

Ezo Shika Venison from Hokkaido with a symphony of Shizuoka vegetables!
For once, a product not from Shizuoka Prefecture but the vegetables were proud to contribute!

The “ezo shika/蝦夷鹿 venison!

And the superlative vegetables!

Kuri to Younashi No Mousse/Chestnuts and pear Mousse!

And it was finally time for desserts!
The Missus was served (the desserts will be different!) the above Mousse made from chestnuts and pears!

For a side view!

I ate half of that waffle!

Mikan/oranges Mousse and Ivoire Chocoltes tiles for my own dessert/dolce!

From another angle!

A nice little discovery inside!
I know a lot of people who would visit the place just for its dolce!

Saint Valentine Day is around the corner!
Now, what do these truffles made of unagi imo and chocolate hide inside?

Houji Tea and Green Matcha Tea mousse!

And coffee is served the right way!

Naturally savors and taste were absolutely mind-rocking! I hope the above pictures will give you a good idea of what to expect!
Actually I’ll be guiding Chef Nishitani in an enormous organic vegetable farm in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji next week (report in the offing, of course!)!

NORI
426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese, but do check it for great photographs of the house and garden!)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Cakes, 美食, Dessert, 金柑, 観光, 農業, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Kumquat, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shizuoka Dessert: Kumquat Cakes at Aquavite & Pissenlit!

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Kumquat tart and Tiramisu as served to the Missus at Aquavite!

Kumquat is kinkan/金柑/”Golden Citrus” in Japanese and it is a major crop in Shizuoka Prefecture. Some are even grown organically!
Just walk in Shizuoka City and you will discover them in many gardens where they are in full season right now!
People eat them under many guises from candied fruit to cakes and even fruit cocktails!
Needless to say that many restaurants vie for fame with cakes created with them!
Here are two creations I just had the pleasure to savor in Shizuoka City:

Italian Cuisine: Kumquat Tart and Tiramisu in Aquavite!

Mine was the same as the Missus’ but presented in a “manly” way! LOL
Both were decorated with cｈocolate, raspberry, vanilla creams and cocoa powder!

Kumquats are a bit of a bother to prepare.
They must first be washed, then cut in two to get rid of their seeds.
Next they need to be lightly boiled and then candied in sugar, alcohol and what else.
Only then can you include them into succulents tarts!

I do not need to introduce tiramisu made by Chef Masaru Aoki/青木勝 as it has become the reference in our city!
They make the perfect marriage, either savoring it separately or topping the tart with some on your fork (or spoon!)!

French Cuisine: Kumquat Pound Cake and Black Tea Sorbet at Pissenlit!

Chef Touru Arima/有馬亨 decorated his creation with raspberry and vanilla creams as well as local strawberry and organic mint leaves!

This pound cake must have required quite some preparation with the inclusion of finely chopped candied kumquats!
The kumquats were grown in Mariko, Ｓhizuoka City, an area also famous for its black tea where it was first planted in Japan back in the 19th Century!

Attention to details! You just don’t know where to start from!
I did savor the candied kumquat first as I didn’t trust my sense of balance!
After that it was an exquisite exercise in demolition!

Black tea sorbet made for another perfect marriage with the pound cake, although I tended to eat it separately.
It was a pleasure later to scoop it carefully with whatever was left on the plate! LOL

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable to expensive.
Strong points: Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people
—————————–
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)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

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
—————————–

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles
With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Rice, Shizuoka, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Risotto Symphony at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

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Milano Oven-baked Saffron Risotto!

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!

Many local gastronomes consider that Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦 concocts the best risotto in Shizuoka City and Prefecture!
Since it is possible to visit Solio just for a glass of wine and a dish, risottos are perfect by this cold weather!
Here is a collection of the risottos I’ve had the pleasure to savor!

Fresh Italian Porcini Risotto!

Unfortunately it is already not on the menu any longer as Takehiko uses only seasonal products, but it will be there when the season comes back!

Mussles Risotto!

Actually, it was never on the menu but prepared as a special request of mine!

Home-made Sausage and Chestnut Risotto!

Another seasonal dish which has already disappeared from the menu!

Italian Black Truffle Risotto!

Beautiful truffles!

This is an offering that will disappear from the menu as soon as the truffles are exhausted! Hurry up!

Milano Baked saffron Risotto!

The rizotto as it looks out of the oven!

Don’t worry, Takehiko intends to serve this risotto all year round!

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Hot Appetizers 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!

Great Italian cuisine is a hit here in Japan due to the abundant supply of vegetables, especially in Shizuoka Prefecture which boasts the largest number of varieties in Japan.
But come winter, customers are expecting to start their gastronomic escapade with something light, healthy and hot!
Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦 knows that too well and always has a seasonal appetizers menu on hand!

Even if you are an expat the title of the dish will give you a good indication of what to expect!
As for the Japanese customers (and expats who can read it) the abundant explanations are a real bonus!
I’ve had the pleasure recently to sample three of them:

Polenta e Gorgonzola, an appetizer popular in North Italy!

This polenta is white polenta made with corn flour and lighter than the more common yellow polenta found in many Mediterranean countries.

The hot combination of corn and blue cheese Gorgonzola with the raw ham results in an explosion of flavors inside the palate!

As you can see the polenta is very soft and easy on the palate.
Sommelier Mieko Ozawa/小澤美恵子 recommends a solid white wine to accompany it!

The second one had no special Italian name and was called “Various vegetables from Mr. Kato’s (the Chef!) garden cooked and baked in a Nanbu Tekki (from Iwate Prefecture) wrought iron skillet”!

Cooked only with olive oil, salt and pepper (there might be a supplementary secret…), the shape, color and taste of the vegetables are beautifully preserved in spite of the intense heat!
Let me show you more detailed photos!

Red carrot, red daikon, leeks…

Sato imo/taro! The skin was so fresh and crispy that I ate the whole of them!

Garlic, turnip, leek, broccoli…

The third appetizer was Ribollita.
You could describe it as a fine vegetable stew!

Really appetizing Toscanan dish by a cold winter night!
The toasted home-baked bread is the attention to details of a worthy Chef!

All these finely cut vegetables including Romanesco cauliflower and tubers contribute to a sophisticated dish of its own!

What’s next?
A symphony of risotto!

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!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Shizuoka, Tourism

Italian Cuisine: Lunch at Osteria TiaLoca in Shizuoka City!

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Service: Very friendly
Facilities: Very clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Traditional Italian Country Cuisine. Very good value. Very interesting list of Italian wines at reasonable prices

We used to have an acute problem here in Shizuoka, that is great restaurants and superlative cuisine and mediocre establishments, and little in-between!
But the recent years have seen many young chefs vigorously establishing themselves with restaurants offering high quality cuisine at reasonable prices without any ostentation but always in comfortable and original settings.

One of them, Masataka Araki/荒木雅貴さん, a young and shy talented chef who spent 4 years learning his trade in Italy in Toscana, Umbria and Lazio has just opened TiaLoca in Shizuoka City right by Cenova Department Store inside a former izakaya.

But all those Italian wine bottles outside will convince you this is an Italian restaurant indeed!

Lunches and prices are clearly indicated outside. If you don’t understand Japanese, Masataka will tell you the meaning in Italian!

Lunch and dinner menus are also clearly indicated on blackboards inside. I already know what I will order next time I come for dinner!

And smoking is completely prohibited!

I love the combination of Italian brand signs in an izakaya decor!

The wines stand right in front of you with ample explanations!

Lunch sets always come with a nice cup of soup and bread.

As well as a fresh salad.

Italian country fare: Chicken and potato herb roast.

A dish that will please the ladies!

They always serve three kinds of pasta for lunch, but I recommend gentlemen to sample the Rigatoni in meat sauce!

Served al dente, a true country dish!

Do try and accompany it with a glass of Montelpucino!

And if you are still hungry and have a sweet tooth do sample their cakes!

Home-style chocolate cake!

See you next at dinner!

Osteria TiaLoca
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-7-8, 1F
Tel./fax: 054-260-0217
Business hours: 11:30~14:30, 18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays from 2012
Reservations recommended
HOMEPAGE/BLOG
Completely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Shizuoka, Tourism

Italian Cuisine with Shizuoka Ingredients at Aquavite (Fall~Winter 2011)

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Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: great and very large washroom, great cleanliness overall
Prices: reasonable to expensive.
Strong Points: Local ingredients used whenever possible. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people.

Aquavite has achieved a long-standing reputation not only for its high-level Italian cuisine and atmosphere, but also for their constant efforts to use as many local ingredients as possible be they from the land or the sea!
I paid a belated visit recently in the company of some friends as three is definitely better than one to try and savor as many dishes as possible!
So with the expert help of Chef Masaru Aoki/青木勝 we carved our way through the following dinner!

Organic vegetables from Shizen no Chikara Farm in Shizuoka City served with bania cauda sauce!

Vegetables from Shizen no Chikara are fast becoming the reference in this city!
If you are vegetarian or vegan ask for a high class olive oil!

Bread is always baked on site!

A plate of appetizers. Even the Bioran eggs and jumbo peanuts are from Shizuoka!

Sauteed Isaki/Chicken Grunt Fish and red squid from the Suruga Bay with organic vegetables!

Cooked to perfection!

A vegan plate of organic vegetables/tubers from Shizen no Chikara Farm in Shizuoka City and Matsu Bio Farm in Fujinomiya City!

For a better view!

Home-made Tagliatelle!

Fresh porcini mushrooms from Italy!

Creamy Porcini Tagliatelle! That dish alone would guarantee a visit!

Real Mont Blanc with the chestnuts at the bottom and the cream on top!
Chef aru Aoki/青木勝’s desserts are definitely of a rare class!

how about that for Tiramisu!

But the caramel pudding is a real sin!

To be followed…

AQUAVITE
Address: 420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
Homepage (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Smoking allowed. Private room can be made non-smoking

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery