Category Archives: Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Grass Wheat Ale (Done at Beer Junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City!

March 8, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I took the opportunity of both visiting Beck Co Ltd’s latest establishment, namely Beer junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City, and tasting Aoi Brewing’s latest craft beer!

Grass wheat Ale! this is basically a Belgian Wheat Ale-style brew!
Aoi Brewing is also owned by Beck Co. Ltd, which means that you can drink their brews at Beer Junkie MOTEL, AOI BEER STAND, Beer Garage and Growstock, although this particular brew is only available at Beer Junkie MOTEL for the moment!

Served on tap
Wheat, wheat malt, Pilsner malt, Austrlian Galaxy hop, lemon grass, coriander, orange peel, nutmeg
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.2%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon color
Aroma: Dry and fresh aroma, herbs
Taste:Very refreshing, dry and fruity attack with some pleasant acidity.
Complex: lemon, herbs, coriander.
Stays true to first impressions all the way.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
Varies little with food but for an accentuated acidity.
Marries superbly with pub and izakaya fare, especially meat!

Overall: A craft beer destined to become a regular/long-seller although it runs the risk to be exhausted and unavailable from time to time.
A discovery for all genders and seasons!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00, 17:00~26:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP
FACEBOOK

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

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi Naka Building, 5F
Tel.: 054-293-9331
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00 (Mon.~Thurs.), 17:00~27:00 (Fri & Sat.), 17:00~24:00 (Sun.)
Parties welcome (reserve!)
Credit Cards OK
FACEBOOK

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-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
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-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bars, Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

“Beer Junkie MOTEL” Bar in Shizuoka City!

March 7, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very friendly and smiling! Some English spoken!
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superbb washroom
Prices: Reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Own craft beers and foreign brews on the tap. Traditional beer hall/pub food

I finally managed to visit Shizuoka City’s newest bar,namely Beer Junkie Motel the other day!
It is Beck Co. Ltd’s fourth establishment with Growstock, AOI BEER STAND, Beer Garage on top of Aoi Brewing!

It is located in a side alley fo Shichiken Cho between Aouba Park Street and Shichiken Cho Street, an area which is witnessing a booming rebirth this year.

It consists on the first floor of two bars, one along the open kitchen, the other facing the bay window.
There is a special space on the 2nd floor exclusively for two small groups (maximum 4 each).
The counter is equipped with a state-of-the-art beer tap system serving 4 or 5 beers brewed by Aoi Brewing and two foreign craft beers changing regularly.

Manager Koji Yamamaoto/山本剛史さん and his charming staff, Miss Ayasa Mitsui/三井彩裟さん!

The beers of the day!

It will often include Aoi Brewing’s latest brew sold only there!

Aoi Brewing’s latest craft beer: “Grass Wheat Ale”, a Belgian-style Wheat Ale concocted with lemon grass! Report coming soon!

Apart of great beer, wine and soft drinks including home-made ginger ale and lemonade are also available.
Traditional and home-made food is served aplenty but bear in mind that the menu will be changed regularly!

Home-made meat pie!

Made on site, it is already proving very popular!

Grilled lamb chops!

Special plate! Not in the menu!

expect more reports soon as some of Aoi Brewing’s craft beers will only be served there!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Nishinomiya-Oibessan Shrine (西宮おいべっさん) in Shizuoka City!

March 2, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Along the Tenmacho Street, not far from Cenova Department Store in Aoi KU, Shizuoka City stands an old Shinto Shrine dedicated to the God of Merchants and Fishermen, Oibessan also known under the names of Ebessan and Ebisu!

Although it was last rebuilt in 1856, it is said to date back as afar as the 8th Century.
It is under the jurisdiction of the Nishinomiya Shrine in Tokyo.

It is a comparatively simple shrine in a very quiet place, unassuming at first glance, but if you know how to look you will discover some interesting details!

The roofed hand washing stone basin and a couple of old trees which have somehow survived!

Have a good look at the small roof!

The right hand side lion guard (“koma inu”)!

And its companion on the left side!

The main shrine building!

The rice straw garland (“shimenawa”) and the bell rope but no money offerings box (“saisenbako”)?

Unusual and exquisite wooden crane, a symbol of good luck!

The main building hides and older original shrine at its back!

An old crest (“mon”)!

A seabream (“tai”), a symbol of plenty!

The Ebisu god!

The older shrine at the back!

An old stone lantern with a cloud motif!

Another stone lantern at the far back with a deer motif!

The oldest tree at the shrine!

The older shrine from the back!

Typical architecture!

Good-bye, Oibessan!

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Chinese Cuisine, Gyoza, Shizuoka City

Chinese Gastronomy: Lamb Gyoza (dumplings) at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: easy-going and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom shared inside Den Bill Bldg.
Prices: reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Craft beer only. Home-made sausages!

The other I had the occasion to sample yet another of Ryousuke Ono/大野良輔さん’s creations!
Lamb gyoza!
Gyoza is the Japanese version of Chinese dumplings either fried or boiled.
The difference is that the meat inside contains lamb instead of pork with leeks, celery, Chinese cabbage among others!
Again, bear in mind that such treats are limited and you might have to wait some time before Ryousuke prepares the next batch!

They might come a bit more expensive than your cheap Chinese restaurant’s offerings, but they are bigger and heads and shoulders above in texture and taste!

They are full of beautiful juices and the bite excellent!
The perfect snack to go with a Golden Pale Ale by Aoi Brewing!

Will never tire of them for sure!

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

BEER GARAGE

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Mexican gastronomy, Sausages, Shizuoka City

Mexican Gastronomy: Mexican Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 28, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I had at last the occasion of sampling another hot-dog with a different sausage created by Ryousuke Ono/大野良輔さん at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho!
Bear in mind that these sausages are always limited, but if you have missed them, either you wait for the next batch or you go BECK Co, Ltd.’s new bar, Beer Junkie Motel which will open on March 1st!

Mexican Hot Dog enjoyed with a glass of Semi Double IPA by Ushitora Brewery (Tochigi Prefecture!)

The Mexican sausage recipe is a secret but Ryousuke condescended to admit that it contained oregano, garlic, jalapenos, salt, pepper and pepper!
Served with a salsa sauce!

Superb bite and really tasty!
Not that hot, actually, but really satisfying!
A true home-made sausage, definitely off the beaten tracks!

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

BEER GARAGE

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sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Junmai Ginjo “Abe No Shizuku” Nama

February 21, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kumpai brewery is the smallest brewery is the smallest one in Shizuoka Prefecture and it is not always easy to find their brews unless you are ready to cycle all the way to the other side of Shizuoka City!

But htey are well worth the search!
This particular one, a Junmai ginjo called “Abe No Shizuku” has been a real long seller!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Fukui Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness : + 2.5
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: assertive,fruity and dry. melon
Body: fluid
Taste: well-rounded dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. melon, dry apricots, macadamia nuts.
Disappears quickly on deep note with melon and hints of oranges and nuts with a late appearance of coffee beans.
Tends to become a lot sweeter with later sips as its temperatures rises with the environment.
Varies little with food but for a drier note and more coffee beans.

Overall: very satisfying dry sake with loads of fruit.
Tends to reveal more facets along the tasting.
Very elegant for a dry sake. Drinks easily.
Marries superbly with any food.
A sure value!

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GRACE WINE Co, Shizuoka City, Wine tasting

GRACE WINE Co. (Yamanashi Prefecture) Wine Tasting Party at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

February 19, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Wednesday February 18th saw the visit of Mr. Katsunori Kaneko/金子克憲さん, The Sales Executive of GRACE WINE Co (Grace Winery) for a wine tasting party organised by Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さんat La Sommeliere Wines & Sake Bar in Miyuki-Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

La Sommeliere entrance!

GRACE WINE Co. was founded in 1923 in Katsunuma Cho, Yamanashi Prefecture and is presently managed by the 4th generation in the person of Shigekazu Misawa/三沢茂計さん and the 5th generation in the name of his own daughter, Ms. Ayana Misawa/三沢彩奈さん.

Some of the tables for the lucky 17 guests counting wine specialists and wine lovers from every part of Shizuoka City!

The “GRACE WINE Flag”!

The party was professionally organised with a computerized video projector!

My seat where I was not only eating and tasting but also writing and using my small computer!

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa, Mr. Katsunori Kaneko and qualified staff posing for posterity!

Mr. Katsunori Kaneko conducting a last tasting in airs with the meal of the day!

Last preparations!

Mr. Katsunori Kaneko introducing Grace Wines and the winery to a captivated audience.
Grace Wines are steadily getting recognition abroad, in Singapore in particular!

Busy taking notes!

The first wine of the evening!
White “Koushhu/甲州”!
Koshu is a native grape which has been known for 1,000 years in the Village of Katsunuma giving a white wine which truly deserves the name of Japanese wine.
The aroma is very assertive, pleasant and fruity thanks to maturing process “sur lies”.
Very fresh and light attack.

The first dish was a “Na no Hana no O-hitashi”, rape seed flowers prepared in Japanese-style light broth.

The second wine was a more familiar white wine as it was made with Chardonnay grapes.
Very similar in aroma and taste to the better kinds of Chardonnay found all over the world.

Our second dish was a plate of new potatoes boiled in broth and served with dried cherry shrimps and finely chopped scallions!

Our third wine was an intriguing old white wine made in 2002 called Cuvee Misawa.
It has a beautifully rich golden color and tasted like a dry sherry although it was made with Chardonnay grapes only.

We drank for the sake of it waiting for the fourth wine and the accompanying dish!

Our fourth wine was simply called “Merlot” as it was made with Merlot grapes at the rate of 85%.
A typical Merlot grape wine, pleasant and easy to drink, although still a bit young.

The dish for the Merlot, typically French in concept!

Couscous and beans salad!

Extravagant marcassin terrine (wild boar cub) by Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki/川崎芳範さん of KAWASAKI Restaurant in Shizuoka City.
The marcassin had been shot in the wild at the foot of Mount Fuji by Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki/川崎芳範さん who owns a hunting license!

The dessert wine and dessert concocted by mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa!

A dessert Port-style wine called “Shuugoro no Vin/周五郎のヴァン” after the writer Shuugoro Yamamoto!
Very pleasant port-style wine with lots of fruit, especially prunes!

With a beautiful Tiramisu to finish the wine tasting party in beauty!

Incidentally I will conduct a more precise tasting of these wines later in the year, so keep tuned!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 12:00~18:00 on Sundays & National Holidays
FACEBOOK (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

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Shizuoka City, sushi, Sushi bars

Sushi Restaurant: Whalemeat and others at Uogashi Sushi in Asty, Shizuoka City!

February 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: A bit shy but very friendly
Equipment & Facilities:: Very clean overall. Shared washroom in Asty very clean and modern
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Hot meals also served. Good sake list

Uogashi Sushi/魚がし鮨 is the major sushi restaurant chain in Shizuoka Prefecture ( a total of 40+ establishments including those at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya), but with a big difference: most of the fish and seafood are local, especially from Numazu Harbor where the company started. Expect the freshest quality at very reasonable prices!
You will find this particular restaurant in the ASTY Corridor inside Shizuoka JR Station.
I would advise you to choose a seat at the counter (the prices are the same everywhere!) just inside on the right as it is non-smoking and at a far enough distance from the smokers’ seats!

Since they have 5 or 6 of them at all times, ask for a local sake!
Although it was lunch time I had this “Karakuchi/Dry” by Fuji-Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City. Report coming soon!

The interesting thing in this particular establishment is that they serve whale meat in at least 7 different fashions!

Whalemeat sushi nigiri!

Whalemeat sashimi plate!

Served with grated ginger and finely chopped scallions you dip together in soy sauce!

Whalemeat brochettes/”kujira Kushi Yaki”!

The meat has a solid bite, very similar to beef!

Among the specialties from Shizuoka Prefecture, raw “shirasu” is a must!

These are the whiting of a variety of sardine called “kata kuchi iwashi” in Japanese!
Raw, it is usually served with grated ginger and finely chopped scallions!

Another glass of sake! Garyuubai by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

This particular fish can be very dangerous if you mistake it for the wrong variety! Globe fish or puffer, called “fugu” in Japanese!

No need to dip it in soy sauce as it is served already seasoned with momijioroshi/grated daikon with chili powder and jelly!

Now, this particular dish makes use of two Shizuoka specialties!
It’s called Sakura Ebi Tororo Age!

“Sakura ebi” stands for “Cherry shrimps” caught off the Suruga Bay shore.
“Tororo” stands for “grated Japanese yam”!
“Age” stands for “Deep-fried”!

Tamago Yaki for dessert, of course!

Expect more visits as I haven’t exhausted the whalemeat menu yet!

UOGASHI SUSHI/魚がし鮨
ASTY SHIZUOKA RESTAURANT (West Asty)
420-0851 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane, 47 (inside Shizuoka JR Station)
Tel.: 054-286-2276
Opening hours: 11:00~22:30 (last orders until 21:30)
Closed on January 1st
Credit cards OK

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German Gastronomy, Sausages, Shizuoka City

German Gastronomy: Thuringer Wurst Hot Dog at AOI BEER STAND, Shizuoka City!

February 15, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

I visited AOI BEER STAND yesterday in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City for a double whammy!

First of all I had a “Mass” of Shizuoka Golden Ale whi will disappear before today as this was the first and last batch! For the memory (ies), then!

The other good thing, but a lasting one, is that they are starting serving hot dogs again!

The reason for the hot dogs is that Beck Co. which owns AOI BEER STAND, Aoi Brewing, Beer Garage, Growstock and soon Beer Junkies Motel make their own sausages!

Some will say: “Hang on! Hot dogs are American!”
Maybe, but the concept of the sausage is not!

This is one of the seven home-sausages BECK Co. serves in its establishments.
They will be changed regularly at AOI BEER STAND incidentally!
It’s a herb sausage in “Thuringer Wurst/Thuringer (formerly East Germany) Sausage!

Instead of fried onions, they serve it with fried sauerkraut (preserved cabbage) and seed mustard to which you can add ketchup or/and soft mustard!
The sausages have a great bite, a very complex taste and plenty of satisfaction in store.

Actually I’m planning on interviewing staff while preparing them soon!

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

BEER GARAGE

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Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Yakima Valley Pale Ale

February 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing Co. has come up with yet another new craft beer!
This time it has a strong link with the USA as it used a hop made in Yakima valley, Washington State, a region that produces 75% of all hop grown in The USA!

Yakima Valley Pale Ale!

Served on tap
Barley Australian Galaxy hop, Willamette hop, Maris Otter malt, Crystal Hop
ABV: 4.7 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: deep orange color
Bubbles: long head. Very fine bubbles, creamy. slightly orange White.
Aroma: light, bread, yeast
Taste: refreshing and dry attack with plenty of welcome acidity which nonetheless disappears very quickly.
Bread, dry fruits, persimmon, hints of oranges.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
varies little with food.

Overall: A beer not great for refreshing yourself all year long, especially in the summer, but also excellent accompaniment to food, especially cold meat and cheese!
Definitely a long seller in the offing!

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

BEER GARAGE

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BLUE BOOKS Cafe, Shizuoka City

American Dessert: New York Baked Cheese Cake at BLUE BOOKS Cafe in Shizuoka City!

February 12, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, smiling and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Superb washroom in same building separated from the cafe.
Prices: Reasonable for such big servings!
Strong points: Very generous cafe/bistro multi-genred gastronomy. Great variety. Great products. Very modern atmosphere. Great books!

BLUE BOOKS Cafe is located in a very practical place in Shizuoka City at the very corner of Egawa Street and Miyuki Cho Street inside DEn Building.
You just can’t escape from it as you walk downtown!

Quince flower arrangement!

The place is both cosy and convivial whether you are on your own or with company.
There are so many books to peruse through freely while enjoying the place at your ease and convenience.

The other day I visited the place on a cold day and an empty stomach as I had been too busy for lunch!
That is when I noticed some scrumptious-looking cakes in the show window!

New York Baked Cheese Cake!
Notwithstanding I’m French and that cheese cakes were originally conceived in Greece, I knew I had lost the fight against my American friends!

The set!

A very appetizing cake, indeed!

Served with orange sauce in its own jar and a sprinkle of raspberry coulis!

Perfectly baked on all sides!

A very solid cake in all its layers with the right and satisfying bite!
To be enjoyed a little at a time!

Perfect on a cold winter day!
Healthy cake, incidentally!

BLUE BOOKS CAFE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bldg 1F (5~10 minutes walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit, around the corner at the large crossroads)
Tel.: 054-280-7644
Opening hours: 11:00~14:30 (lunch), 14:30^17:30 (cafe), 17:30~23:00 (dinner)
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

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French gastronomy, Shizuoka City, Wine Bar

Wine Bar Lunch: : Lavigne In Shizuoka City (3rd)!

February 11, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: smiling and very friendly
Facilities: overall very clean. Superb washroom. Entirely nonsmoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: French bio wines only by the glass or the bottle. Lunch.

La Vigne in Koya Machi, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, across from JR Shizuoka Station has just gone through a very welcome change!
First of all, apart from a beefed-up food menu they now offer a very reasonable lunch for Monday to Friday!
This was my third visit for such a lunch today on a cold day, even for Shizuoka City!

For once I couldn’t help order a glass of organic Mercurey red, a wine form my very hometown in Bourgogne, France!

This time lunch set!

The side dish consisted of home-made pickles, seared Italian salami, olive and semi-dried tomato and seafood salad in urchin sauce!

From another angle. Great local natural yeast bread, too!

Beef stew!
Real comfort food!

Once again very reasonable (less than 7 Euros or 8 US $!), satisfying and yummy!

LA VIGNE SHIZUOKA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 17-2.
Tel.: 054-205-4181.
Opening hours: 10:00~22:00 (11:00~20:00 on Sundays & national Holidays)
Lunch: (800 yen) Monday~Friday, 11:30~14:00
Cards OK
Entirely Non-Smoking!

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Shizuoka City, Wine, Wine Bar

Tasting Expensive Wines at Reasonable Prices at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

February 8, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん, the owner of La Sommeliere Wines & Sake Bar in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City has initiated a remarkable if simple way to enjoy expensive wines at reasonable prices!

For this she did have to invest in a special machine made in Italy (she is the first one to use such a device in the whole prefecture) that can pour out wine in three different volumes, 30, 60 and 90 ml!

The present selection (it will change regularly according to availability) features the following:

Chateauneuf du Pape By Roger Sabon, White, 2012
Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourg Blanc grapes
A 5-tar producer on the Parker List.
An elegant wine with a full body and notes of honey, pears, Casablanca iris and white peach.
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1500 yen

Menetou Salon by Chavet Fils, White, 1999
Sauvignon Blanc grapes
Solid body with a complex approach, butter, nuts and honey
Still young in approach in spite of its 16 years of age!
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1600 yen

Beaune Domaine de Lagrange, red, 1989
Pinot Noir grapes grown on minimally pesticide-treated soil
A beautifully matured and aged red wine difficult to find on the market here in Japan.
30 ml/100 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1600 yen

Tormaresca Rocco Di Lupo (Italy, Puglia), red, 2007
Aglianico grapes
A remarkable wine from South Barolo
Sweet, silky and elegant.
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1500 yen

As an indication, 30 ml represents a good gulp, 60 ml, slightly less than a standard glass at bars and restaurants, 90 ml a normal glass!

Definitely worth a try!

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing- Shizuoka Golden Ale (The First and Last One!)

February 6, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing Company has come up with a new beer but it will unfortunately only one of its kind!
You had better hurry as it will have disappeared by the end of this week!

Shizuoka Golden Ale brewed wit barley malt produced in Fujinomiya City!
Unfortunately the cost to produce such a beer with a locally-made ingredient proved too high to continue, so hurry!

Served on tap
Barley Australian Galaxy hop, Saaz hop, Fujinomiya barley malt.
ABV: 4.2 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: orange/persimmon color
Bubbles: long head. Very fine bubbles, creamy. White.
Aroma: discreet, fruity and dry. lemon
Taste: very refreshing attack with welcome acidity.
Very dry and fruity. lemon, bread.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing on an even drier but pleasant note..
Varies little with food.

Overall: A beautiful golden ale that will come and go for the pleasure of a few lucky drinkers and to the long sadness of those who missed it!
Long live Golden Ale!

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

BEER GARAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka CityShizuoka

Manhole covers, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Manhole Covers In Shizuoka Prefecture 35 bis: New Commemorative Fire Hydrant Manhole Cover Being Installed in Shizuoka City!

February 5, 2015 dragonlife 6 Comments

Yesterday some Shizuoka City Civil servants had been already been busy all morning when I reached the spot on the east side of the Shizuoka Municipal Hospital for the official installment of the new manhole cover to be be laid upon 40 out 56 fire hydrants.

The spot had been conveniently chosen across the street from the Sumpu Castle Park!

I had already discovered freshly installed covers near the Mizuho Bank,…

in another spot from across the Sumpu Castle Park,…

on Sengen Shrine Street,…

in front of a soba restaurant,…

on the street along Cenova Department Store!

This was the spot chosen for the “media”!

The old plate laid in 2007 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu retirement to Sumpu Castle in Fuchu as Shizuoka was called then.

One can discover other beautiful covers nearby but they don’t concern the fire department. The one above is laid over a manhole for access to spent waters and sewers.

The City Water Department led by my new friend, Mr. Yuuta Fujii/藤井勇太さん, finally arrived at the “spot”!

The truck full of covers!

For the city’s records!

The “local media” was just on time!

The new cover with its protective layer!

Lifting off the old cover!

The fire hydrant!

Change of eras!

The last tap!

The new cover with the date “2015” commemorating the 400th Annivesary of the death of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu in Sumpu Castle!
The motif represents Mount Fuji, Miho Matsubara Beach, Suruga Bay and the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine!

Old and new covers!
Some of the old ones will be kept for emergency replacement while others will be either destroyed or recycled fr the metal.

Work done!

The “local media” at work.
Unfortunately they had little or no clue about the manhole covers, their history and what they represented.
A foreign resident had to explain them…