Category Archives: Shizuoka agricultural products

French Gastronomy: Comptoir de Bio-s 1st Anniversary Party dinner with Shizuoka Products!

Service: Pro and very friendly
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness and splendid washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A palette of Shizuoka Prefecture Products! Great use of organic vegetables, fish and meats from Shizuoka Prefecture. True healthy gastronomy! Excellent wine list!

On Friday November the 2nd, le Comptoir de Bios French restaurant owned by Bio Farm Matsuki Co. in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku celebrated its First Anniversary by organizing a party dinner designed with products from local farmers including vegetables, meat and fish!

Like any Japanese party worth its salt, an abundance of flowers greeted the select guests!

The chefs at work!

A little beauty serving the drinks!

The Owner, Mr. Kazuhiro Matsuki/松木一浩さん of Bio Farm Matsuki with some his local producer guests, namely Mr. Yoshiaki Aoki/青木善明さん of Aoki Chicken Farm in Fujinomiya City and Mr. Akichika Hasegawa/長谷川光史さん of Hasegawa Farm in Fuji City.

Now, what is Mr. Kazuhiro Matsuki/松木一浩さん holding in his hands so proudly?

The leg of a baby wild boar hunted in Fujinomiya City!

The leg had been seasoned and marinated for one full year before being finally served at the party!

All local food for the party!

Organic vegetables from Bio Farm Matsuki in Fujinomiya City!

Aoki Chicken liver paste crostini!

Smoked Rainbow Trout from provided by Mrs. Izumi Iwamoto/岩本いづみさん of Kakishima Trout Farm in Fujinomiya City!

Organic gnocchi by Bio Farm Matsuki!

Organic salad with fresh greens from Bio Farm Matsuki and organic mushrooms from Hasegawa Farm!

Do you know these people? LOL

The little beautiful pixie again!

Rainbow trout from Kakishima Trout Farm and organic Portobella Mushrooms from Hasegawa before going into the oven!

Out of the oven!

Chicken from Aoki Chicken Farm and Portobella Mushrooms from Hasegawa Farm before going into the oven!

The whole chicken being cut!

And served atop roasted organic vegetables!

Looking forward to the next party with Shizuoka products!

Le Comptoir de Bio-s by Bio Farm Matsuki
420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kooya machi, 12-8, Sankousha Bldg, 1F
Tel./fax: 054-221-5250
Business hours: 11:30~15:00 (Last orders 14:00), 17:00~23:00 (Last orders 22:00)
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/11/01): Autumn 2012 Release: Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
bryan-sayuri.gif

Autumn 2012 Release: Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The wait is over. Today we are releasing from our cellars the 2012 version of Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale! You should be able to find pints on draught at your favorite Baird Beer drinking establishment beginning Friday, November 2 (and at our own Taproom pubs beginning today — Thursday, November 1). Bottles (360 ml) too are available through our network of Baird Beer retailing liquor stores in Japan.

New Seasonal Baird Beer Releases:
*Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale 2012 (ABV 7.5%):

Scotland, an historically important center of beer brewing, has a cool climate that favors cultivation of the hardy barley plant. Scottish Ales, thus, tend to feature the rich and robust flavor of malted barley. Baird Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale is, in a word, opulent! The color is a deep mahogany brown and the head is dense, creamy and tan. The aroma is one of soft fruit esters and warm fusel alcohols. The body is chewy and the flavor exhibits notes of molasses, caramel apples, rum cake and pit fruit. One hearty pint is enough to take the bite out of the late autumn chill. Two pints will leave you toasty, and blissfully, warm. Three pints and…. YABAI!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Japanese Vegan Recipe: Easy and Beautiful Takuan and Shiso Appetizer!

It is not always easy to organize a party for vegans, especially for the ones who enjoy their drinks.
You need colors and design to entice people’s appetites and the Japanese are proficient at creating beauties from almost nothing!

How about Takuan and Shiso rolls for appetizers?
“Takuan” is Japanese pickled daikon and “Shiso” is perilla whose leaves and flowers are so delicious raw!

INGREDIENTS:

Takuan cut in thin slices: As many as you want!
Shiso: As many leaves as you want! Think of the size!

RECIPE:

First cut the takuan if you a\have it whole.
If you can find sold sliced, the better.
Sponge off any liquid off the takuan slices first or you will have yellow juice everywhere!
Clean the shiso leaves in running water and sponge off all water if deemed necessary.

Look at the picture above!
Cut the takuan slices in halves.
Put a shiso leaf on one takuan half slice.
If the shiso leaf is too big cut it as to cover a little less than half the takuan slice.
Do not throw away the cut shiso leaves leftovers. You can chop them finely and use them for decoration or seasoning!
Roll.
Don’t bother securing them. If the takuan slices are thin enough they will not unfold.
When you serve them place them inside a dish which allows to pacj\k them side by side for mutual support!

So simple and beautiful!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Italian Gastronomy: “Amago”-Red Spotted Masu Trout Sardinia Culurgiones by Il Castagno in Shizuoka City!

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.

On Saturday it was the turn of Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん at Il Castagno to ask me to come to his restaurant to show me what he had prepared with a fish bred in our Prefecture!
But he actually prepared two different dishes!
This the second one!

The fish is called Amagi Amago.
Amagi stands for the place where it is bred.
Amago/あまご translates as Red Spotted Masu Trout in English.

Shitayama Fish Farm in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula!
The Fish Farm is located beside wasabi fields for the best natural environment.
Wasabi leaves are actually introduced in their feed!

Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん (left with the beard!) and his team including his wife!

Sardinia Culurgiones are a kind of “raviolli” typical of Sardinian gastronomy.
Chef Inami makes his own dough with white semolina, water and salt!

He filled the Culurgiones with a mixture of potato, amago trout and cress before cooking them in salted water.

Viewed from the top.
So appetizing!

For a better view of the filling!

As for the sauce he heated some butter and mixed it the water he used to boil the Culurgiones.
Mind you he wouldn’t say more. I suspect there is also a little salt.

A great comfort food and so delicious! Viva Sardinia!

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

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,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

Italian Gastronomy: “Amago”-Red Spotted Masu Trout & Potato Terrine by Il Castagno in Shizuoka City!

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.

On Saturday it was the turn of Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん at Il Castagno to ask me to come to his restaurant to show me what he had prepared with a fish bred in our Prefecture!

The fish is called Amagi Amago.
Amagi stands for the place where it is bred.
Amago/あまご translates as Red Spotted Masu Trout in English.

Shitayama Fish Farm in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula!
The Fish Farm is located beside wasabi fields for the best natural environment.
Wasabi leaves are actually introduced in their feed!

Il Castagno is located in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City in a former Japanese izakaya where they serve Italian gastronomy at a counter, small tables and on tatami floor!

The small but very busy kitchen!

Amago and Potato terrine!

A view from the top to show the local organic leafy vegetables and the fish roe!

The fish itself was first marinated in salt and then washed before it was laid on top of the terrine.

The fish was seasoned with beautiful olive oil which married perfectly with the golden roe!

For a better view of the firm and crispy eggs that broke into extravagant juices between your teeth!

The mashed potatoes also contained organic shiitake mushrooms!

The leaves were seasoned with Il Castagno’s secret dressing!

One more dish with the same fish at the restaurant coming next!

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

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,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

Persimmon Trees: Autumn has come to Mariko in Shizuoka City!

Autumn/Fall is finally arriving in Shizuoka City!
The other day I visited the Mariko Area, one of the main tourist attractions in Shizuoka Prefecture and even in Japan where they were awarded a commemorative stamp!

Issued on October 7th, 2005 [Tokai Route 53 stages by Utagawa Hiroshige/2005.10.7発行東海道五拾三次之内丸子(鞠子)(歌川広重)]

Mariko is naturally an important tourist attraction, but if you walk along the lanes away from the crowds you will discover many farm and old houses worth a second and third look and many camera shots!
let me share the pictures I took on that day with you!

You will find two types of persimmons in Mariko:
Shibu Kaki/渋柿, as above, which are small and pointed and eaten dried as the fresh fruit is too astringent!

More shibu kaki!

For a closer view.
The very thick leaves are still green.
When those redden they are used as decoration on plates under food in Japanese restaurants!

Here is a tree with the second variety of persimmons.

Squat persimmon or Jirou kaki/次郎柿 in Japanese.
Did you know this particular variety was first grown in Shizuoka Prefecture in the 19th Century?
They can be eaten raw as opposite to Shibu Kaki!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

French Gastronomy: “Amago”-Red Spotted Masu Trout Simmered in Wine by Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

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.

Today I was actually called by Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん who told me he was preparing a fish bred in our Prefecture!

The fish is called Amagi Amago.
Amagi stands for the place where it is bred.
Amago/あまご translates as Red Spotted Masu Trout in English.

Shitayama Fish Farm in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula!
The Fish Farm is located beside wasabi fields for the best natural environment.
Wasabi leaves are actually introduced in their feed!

Pissenlit Restaurant and Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん were awarded the title of Shizuoka Prefecture Recognized Restaurant and Chef last year!
Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん never misses an opportunity to experiment with new ingredients, especially if they are local!

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん at work as I arrived at his restaurant today after lunch service had been finished!

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん had first fried the fish in olive oil before gently simmering them in wine with local organic nameko mushrooms!

Dressing the fish on a plate!

The sauce before it was further reduced!

A beautifully sauteed local organic shiitake mushroom being added!

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん pouring the reduced wine sauce and mushrooms on the fish!

Waiting for the finishing point!

Golden eggs from the same trouts! Absolutely delicious and extravagant!

A few sprigs of local organic leek sprouts!

Et voila!

Absolutely delicious and extravagant!

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

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,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

Japanese Easy Recipe: Lotus Root and Pork Balls

Lotus root can be used with meat to make delicious and easy to prepare balls/meat balls!
A comfort food appreciated everywhere and a great snack if you like beer!

INGREDIENTS: (For 2 people)

Minced pork meat: 200 g
Lotus root: 60 g
Salt: one pinch
Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
Ginger: 1 fresh cube 2x2x2 cm
Cornstarch: As appropriate

RECIPE:

in a large ball drop the minced pork.
Grate the lotus root over it.
Add salt.
Mix until you obtain a smooth paste.
Grate fresh ginger over it and add soy sauce.
Mix well.

Prepare one-bite sized balls and coat hem with cornstarch.
Deep-fry at 170 degrees (the best temperature!) until they have a attained a crispy brown color.

Serve at once with some leafy greens for best balance.

So simple and so yummy!
Naturally you can add spices of your liking to the recipe!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Junmai Genshu Shiboritate

Negami Brewery is one of only 13 breweries that exclusively produce junmai sake in Japan, meaning they never mix it/blend it with pure rice alcohol.
It has acquired a lot of recognition in Shizuoka and else recently although the brewery rarely participates to competitions due to its unusually long brewing season.

Every year they produce their first sake as early as October, as indicated by this “Shiboritate/Just pressed” when other breweries start their “shikomi/rice import” only by the end of the same month!

Rice:
Shubo kome/Yeast starter: Yamada Nishiki milled down to 50%
Koji Kome/Koji mold rice: Yamada Nishiki milled down to 50%
Kake kome/Rice added to form the moromi/mash: Omachi milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 18% (genshu)
Acidity: 2.1
Bottled in October 2012

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Puissant attack backed by pleasant alcohol.
Fruity: pears. Faint custard.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack backed by very puissant alcohol first hand in hand with junmai petillant.
Fruity and complex: Pears shoulder their way forward quickly followed by custard and macadamia nuts.
Lingers away for a while waving good-bye on a drier note with raw almonds perking out.
Alcohol tends to nicely fade away leaving the way open to fruity facets.
The delicious dryness is enhanced by a higher acidity than generally met in sake created in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Fruits explode back inside the palate with every new sip.
Marries very well with any food, especially izakaya gastronomy.
Although heady and almost untamed this sake is pleasant to the point of elegance in spite of its high alcohol content.

Overall: A deliciously surprising sake full of wild strength.
My lady friends loved it because of its very dry acidity.
Drinks like a very dry sherry wine!
Although it marries beautifully with any food, it is definitely best appreciated on its own at any temperature.
The prefect last cup for the road or catnap!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/10/23): Autumn Seasonal Releases

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
bryan-sayuri.gif

Autumn Seasonal Releases

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Unlike industrial beer, where summer reigns supreme, craft beer truly is a beverage of all seasons. That said, fall — with its crisp and brisk weather — strikes us as a quintessentially good season for the enjoyment of the robustly full-flavored ales that typify craft beer. We are excited to announce today’s release of three such autumn ales: Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale, Son of Rising Strong Pale Ale, and Autumn of the Beach Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale (ABV 6%):

To baseball fans, October means World Series (also known as the “Fall Classic”) time. To me, the annual Fall Classic invariably brings back boyhood memories of watching and rooting for the great “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati teams of 1975 and 1976 World Series fame. Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale was brewed initially in 2005 as a 30-year tribute to the Cincinnati Reds World Series championship team of 1975 (they beat the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic 7-game series). We continue to brew it annually because it is such a fine beer and it is the perfect libation to enjoy while taking in the Fall Classic. I was hoping for a Reds appearance in this year’s Fall Classic but, alas, those hopes were dashed by a tenacious San Francisco Giants team.

Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale is brawny in the depth and richness of its malt character, and balanced beautifully by a spicy and sprite hop essence. Much as the rare combination of power and finesse was a hallmark of the Big Red Machine on the field, so too is it a hallmark of the Big Red Machine in the pint glass!

Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale is available on draught at all of our Taproom pubs as well as at other select Baird Beer retailing establishments in Japan. It also is available in bottles (360 ml) for purchase direct from our brewery e-shop or from one of the many fine Baird Beer retailing liquor stores in Japan.

*Son of Rising Strong Pale Ale (ABV 6%):

Son of Rising is the strong-willed offspring of Rising Sun. He is bold and boisterous (double-dry-hopped with four citrus-laden varieties: Columbus, Chinook, Cascade, NZ Cascade); but he is no rebel. He is approachable in his balance, nuanced in his depth of character. He is a dutiful son who brings much satisfaction to his father.

Come visit a Taproom and introduce yourself. Son of Rising is a small-batch seasonal and available only on draught at one of our Taproom pubs.

*Autumn on the Beach Ale (ABV 5%):

This small-batch red ale is brewed with a combination of Bohemian floor-malted pilsner barely and German Munich malt. It is hopped delicately with a unique varietal combination: American Magnum, German Hersbrucker and New Zealand Wakatu. It is light and refreshing for a malty red ale — the type that would be enjoyable while sitting on the beach in Numazu on a sunny fall afternoon.

Autumn on the Beach Ale is available only as real ale on hand-pump, and exclusively at our Baird Beer Taproom pubs. Stop in for a pint while the pouring lasts!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Donburi Festival in Shizuoka City!

Donburi is probably the most internationally known Japanese comfort food!
It consists of a big bowl/donburi/丼 topped with all kinds of food from vegetables, to meat and fish!

On Saturday October 20th (10:00~20:00) and Sunday 21st (10:00~17:00) the Shizuoka Gourmet Ookoku Fest Waru Don Kappu/静岡グルメ王国フェストワール丼カップ/Shizuoka Gourmet Donburi Festival will take place in Aoba Doori/青葉道理 Event Square.

Many restaurants, Japanese and foreign alike, izakayas and various shops take part!
It is worth a good visit as it will give you a good idea of what to expect in Shizuoka at the reasonable price level!

I paid them a visit while things were still quiet.
At lunch and dinner time it is a real tussle!

Vietnamese clothes!

Sri Lankan gastronomy!

Egyptian gastronomy!

Bengladeshi gastronomy!

Even a Japanese massage parlor!

Nepalese and Indian gastronomy!

Fujinomiya City Yakisoba!

Shizuoka sake tasting!
I had a hard time not to drink in daytime!

Japanese comfort food by Lemoned!

Karaage chicken, donburi and all kinds of drinks!

Shizuoka oden by Umi Boozu/海ほうず!

I had to choose one place!
Mangenton pork from Fujinomiya City!]

It was actually served by a favorite izaka of mine: Hana Oto/鼻音 in Shizuoka City!

I chose the donburi topped with Mangenton and Ameera Tomato fried with salt koji!

Chef Yuusuke Tozaki frying the pork!

Et voila!
You must try it!
But hurry up!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Lotus Root Hamburger 2-Tofu version

lotus roots, or renkon/蓮根in Japanese, have been a popular vegetable for eons.
Shizuoka prefecture is quite famous for the quality of its lotus roots all over japan!
Here is the second version of a vegan recipe for yummy lotus root hamburgers with tofu!

INGREDIENTS: (For 2^3 people)

Tofu: 300g
Lotus root: 200g
salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
Salad oil: 2 tablespoons
Grated fresh ginger or wasabki: as appropriate
Soy sauce: as appropriate

RECIPE:

Place the tofu inside an oven bowl.
Heat in a microwave oven for 3 minutes at 500 w.
Transfer into a bowl with small holes to drain it of water.

Peel the lotus roots.
Grate the whole into the bowl containing the tofu that has been completely drained.

Add cornstarch and mix well.
Add salt (don’t make a mistake in the order!) and mix well into a paste.

make patties 5~6 cm diameter. Don’t make them too or they will break easily. You can make s
them small, too.
Pour oil in a fry pan and cook slowly over a low fire.

Fry them well until both sides have attained a nice brownish color.

Serve with a light sauce and grated ginger or wasabi!

Serve them with some green for better presentation!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

French Bistro Gastronomy: Terrines, Savouries and Cakes at Patina in Shizuoka City!

Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities: Very clean. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A true cafe where to relax and enjoy a good light meal any time of the day. Interesting reasonable wine and cider list.

Due to various reports, meetings and what else, I visited Patina no less than three times within a single week!
This has become an opportunity to show you what to expect in our good city of Shizuoka City!

The entrance by a very shiny day!
It is large by Shizuoka standards!

they have been actively specializing in terrines and pates recently! The real French comfort food!

They have also increased the number of wines you can drink by the glass!

You must try the Cremant de Bourgogne, so much better than Champagne, yen for yen!

Vegetable terrine and herb cream dressing!

Just love the bacon included with it!

Delicious and elegant herb cream dressing!

And plenty of leaf vegetables for great balance!

Zuwagani/Snow crab terrine!

So fine and light!

Sanma/Pacific saury and potato terrine!

The fish and the potatoes married to perfection!

At Patina they serve French cider in a bowl as it should be!

Marinated mackerel salad!

Another comfort (Norway?) food so nicely presented!

Pork and chicken liver terrine de campagne!
As yummy as back home in Bourgogne, France!

No need of bread! Just fork it together with leafy vegetables!

Quiche Lorraine!

I doubt they make it so elegant even in France!

Their cakes are always tempting!

If you ca read Japanese it says “Figs and Cheese Cream Baked Tart”!

A little beauty!

The tart!

And the home-made ice cram with the custard and caramel sauces!
Another sin! LOL

Far Breton, the elegant way!

Now, what would be bast with it, a strong coffee or glass of Calavados? LOL

To be continued… You bet!

PATINA, Café & Brasserie
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 17-9
Tel.: 054-266-9500
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00, 17:00~21:30 (last orders) for meals, 11:00~22:00 for the cafe, Sunday~Saturday
10:00~22:00 on Sundays
Closed on Tuesdays

BLOG
Non-smoking until 15:00

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fujimasa Brewery-Fujinomiya Kouriki Junmai Ginjo Homare Fuji Genshu

Fujimasa Brewery lays at the bottom of Mount Fuji in Fujinomiya City.
Their sake are not easy to find away from Eastern Shizuoka but they definitively worth the efforts to discover them!
Moreover Fujimasa is also actively promoting local products as well as Mount Fuji and the surrounding tourism!

This also another brewery using long descriptions for their sake!
“Fujinomiya Kouriki” means “Strong Promotion of Fujinomiya City”.

The sake is made with Shizuoka-grown Homare Fuji Sake rice!

Rice: Homare Fuji
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees (genshu)
Bottled in August 2012

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Very dry. Fruity. Dry bananas, rice, alcohol.
Body: fluid
Taste: Very dry attack. Slightly sirupy. Strong alcohol.
Fruity. Deep dry almonds, macadamia nuts, coffee beans, oranges, chestnuts.
Complex.
Lingers for a little while warming up back of the palate with junmai petillant.
Show many new facets with each sip.
Takes on a drier turn but softer note with food.
Coffee beans and chestnuts make a strong comeback away from food.

Overall: A sake obviously conceived for heavy izakaya food but definitely can be enjoyed on its won.
Actually I found it more interesting on its own with so many facets keeping popping up and its beautiful dryness.
Had a strong tendency to change with the further cup, even becoming almost sweet got me lost in wonder!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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,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

Italian Gastronomy: Shizuoka Autumn Products Dinner at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

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!

The other evening, after another long day of shopping, the Missus and I were not in a hurry to go back home and start cooking!
We decided to visit Solio to sample their Autumn menu, mostly made with Shizuoka Prefecture local products!

To cut a long story short, what de we order?

Antimisto Pasti!

Pork roulade with mushrooms marinade!
Note that all vegetables, raw or cooked are from Shizuoka Prefecture, most of them organic!

Seafood gratin!

Italian-style ratatouille!

Hiroshima mussles steamed in white wine!
Very soft!

Raw ham and ricotta cheese fritters!!

Beautiful!

Solio-style Banya Cauda with organic vegetables grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Did I tell you that Solio serves the best rizotto in the Prefecture?

Edamame and smoked cheese baked rizotto!
Note that the luccola are grown organically in Shizuoka, too!

The Missus did not agree with me, but I had to have the dessert!

Almaretto semi-freddo ice cream!

Plum compote and red fruit!

Almaretto Tiramisu!

One of these days I will have to come alone just to sample all the desserts! LOL

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

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,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