Category Archives: Shizuoka

Bistro, Brasserie, Cafes, 美食, 観光, 農業, French gastronomy, Gastronomy, Pâté de Campagne, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bistro Gastronomy: Pâté de Campagne at Café Brasserie Patina in Shizuoka City!

2 Comments

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.

After a long lull made the more boring for the overwhelming number of so-called cafes of a dubious taste and quality, one can at long last feel a general return to simpler and more honest values.
When one young lady endeavors to re-introduce the simpler and far more satisfying cuisine that was prevalent in bistros, be they French-style, Japanese-style or whatever almost two decades ago and this at very reasonable prices you know that all was not lost after all!

I had decided today, a Sunday, to get away for a while from my computer and have some light food when I remembered that I had noticed some interesting offerings on the menu the last time I visited Café Brasserie Patina in Shizuoka City!
Actually I was quite lucky as the menu was about to change soon!
Anyway I didn’t hesitate when I found the Pâté de Campagne on the menu (actually it should be called a Terrine de Campagne as it is enveloped in bread/pastry! LoL! But what the hell!)!

It might look simple, but it was succulent, generous and at such a gentle price!
For a man originating from Bourgogne, France, it was some kind of a time slip!
How many times did I eat such fare back home at any time of the year (and in some cases at any time of the day!)!
With a glass of heady red wine it made for the perfect snack!

The home-made pickles also brought back memories!
I forgot to mention the Dijon (my birthplace!) mustard!
Well there are many more little marvels like merguez, choucroute, canard confit and cassoulet, all made on site, so expect a few more quick reports of the kind!

PATINA, Café & Brasserie
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 17-9
tel.: 054-266-9500
Opening hours: 10:00~20:30 (last orders)
Holiday not decided yet
Non-smoking but for a small table away from the other patrons at the end of a long hall before the washroom

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

笑い, Humor, Japan, Shizuoka

Weird japan (5): What kind of school is that?

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Would you believe that most pupils at this elementary school go to top Unversities?
Found out that the City of Shizuoka made that sign when I questioned the Headmaster who wouldn’t take reponsibility for it!
They have pasted a correction above it since then!

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!

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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

Bento, 美食, 魚, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, 弁当

Today’s Bento/Lunch Box (12/07): Tuna Balls Bento!

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The Missus (or Greenpeace…) will have mine for posting such a title…
But the Missus loves meat balls and tuna, so the combination was only natural!

For once I must say that the rice dish was more elaborate than all the rest!

Everything was laid on plain steamed rice.
The balls were made with “negitoro”/tuna flesh grated off the inside of the skin. I only know that the Missus seasoned it with mayonnaise, Japanese sake and wasabi dressing and what else before shaping small balls and stir-frying them in light sauce, probably ponzu, soy sauce and mirin.
She just placed them atop the rice beside opened snap peas in their pod. Interesting design!

She then added a typical Japanese garnish: hijiki/sweet seaweed, small pieces of carrot, red cabbage and aburage/deep-fried tofu pouches and peas all lightly fried and seasoned together. A vegan’s delight!

The salad dish consisted of a half-boiled egg, lightly marinated and seasoned with black sesame seeds, fresh buckwheat sprouts, lettuce and mini tomatoes!
Very colorful!

This picture will prove that the Missus enjoyed her own cooking as she had exactly the same for lunch!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass, Einfach Bento,
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

笑い, 観光, Humor, Shizuoka, Shuzenji, Tourism

Weird japan (4): Star Wars Avatar?

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I don’t have a clue what that statue inside a large Shinto Shrine in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka represents!
It could be very well be the “face” of a famous monk of old.
To me it looks more like an avatar of Star Wars that fell there from space!

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

笑い, Humor, Japan, Shizuoka

Weird Japan (3): Japanese Viper Sake/Mamushi Sake: A Drink for Sex?

4 Comments

The other night I had to go to the lavatory in a fairly busy and popular izakaya (sorry, I won’t tell you the name!) in Shizuoka City.
The “Mens” and “Ladies” were separate (important detail!).
I found this “notice” pinned on the wall at eye-level.
The notice says:
“Genki no nai Otoko wa mamushi sake!”/Viper Sake for people (men) not feeling energetic!”
This is real sake in which a snake was marinated!
The note says above that you should be careful not to drink too much, or you will suffer from nosebleed (Japanese men supposedly go through this predicament when their libido is overstimulated!).
Actually, orders are limited to a single glass. It had better work as it costs a whopping 25 US$!
Last, but not least, as if men needed more incentive, they added a picture of a “well-endowed” man (face not shown!) wearing snake skin pants!

N.B.: A lady friend in our party told us later that there was nothing hanging on the wall inside the ladies’ facilities!

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

Bento, Chicken, 美食, 農業, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, 弁当

Today’s Bento/Lunch Box (12/06): Chicken & Burdock Rice Bento!

10 Comments

We eat a lot of burdock root/gobo/牛蒡 in season as this is not only a versatile vegetables but because it is also very healthy! It is even used as herbal medicine in some countries!

The Missus cooked/fried the cubed chicken and thinly cut burdock root separately in a sauce of her own (secret! Sorry) while the rice was being steamed.

Once the rice steamed she mixed with the cooked chicken and burdock root and their sauce for a very tasty mazegohan/混ぜご飯/mixed rice! She added the last touch with plenty of black roasted sesame seeds.

The side dish was a typical marriage of products from the land and the sea of Shizuoka Prefecture!

The tamagoyaki was done with cheese and parsley and placed inside the box beside boiled snap peas in their pods seasoned with crushed peanuts!

A product which made Shizuoka famous: kuro hanpen/黒はんぺん/dark sardine fish paste!
The Missus fried them before placing them on a bed of lettuce with local plum tomatoes!

Very satisfying and yummy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass, Einfach Bento,
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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/02/01): Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 Debut; Upcoming Events

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
bryan-sayuri.gif

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 Debut; Upcoming Events

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The hibernal rest is over. The big bear of the Baird Beer world, Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine, has forced its way out of our brewery cellars and has taken residence in the serving refrigerators of our various Taproom pubs. The pouring begins today (Wednesday, February 1).

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 (ABV 10.5%):

Brewed and packaged back in June 2011, Ganko Oyaji 2012 sports the same grist bill as previous versions, consisting of floor-malted Maris Otter and Bohemian Pils, as well as British crystal malt and 10% Japanese red (akato) sugar. Once again we increased our hop bittering slightly (up to 80 IBU from last year’s 75) and we changed our blend of hops, this year including Magnum, Galena, Nugget, Glacier and Santiam. Most importantly, though, we returned to full fermentation (primary and secondary) with our house Scottish ale yeast strain while also increasing the attenuative potential of our wort by both lowering mash temperature and lengthening mash duration. The result is a more highly attenuated, drier and stronger finished beer. Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before-bed restorative; it might even be delicious at breakfast too! It promises to condition nicely for months and years to come.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 is available for immediate shipment to Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan.

Upcoming Taproom Events:
*Superbowl Monday Live! at Fishmarket, Bashamichi and Nakameguro Taprooms:

Kick-off of the 2012 American football Superbowl happens at 8:30 am on Monday, February 6. We will be showing the game live at three of our Taprooms: Fishmarket, Bashamichi and Nakameguro. Doors will open at 8:00 am. Each Taproom will be serving a Superbowl buffet breakfast available to those who take the first meal of the day seriously. Additionally, and in commemoration of its maiden debut 10 years ago at our 2002 Superbowl party, we will be tapping this year’s Carpenter’s Mikan Ale. This is a morning event not to be missed, whether or not you happen to be a football fan. Please join us.

*Morning Coffee Stout Brunch at 11:00 am Saturday, February 11:

Speaking of morning events, for the first time, we will be celebrating the annual release of our Morning Coffee Stout with a Saturday morning brunch at each of our Taproom pubs. Doors will open, coffee stout will be pouring, pancakes will be flipping, jazz will be playing, and happy weekend morning revelry happening at 11:00 am sharp. More details on the brunch menus of each Taproom will be released shortly. In the meantime, mark your calendar!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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, Dessert, 野菜, 観光, 農業, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomy, Jam, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Jams with Shizuoka Products at Pissenlit!

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Humans made jams the moment they tried to preserve the fruits and vegetables they found in abundance but couldn’t eat up.
Making jams was a traditional and seasonal occupation in many homes all over the World until not so long ago.
Then people got busier and had no longer the time or will to prepare them, what with the constant supply available in shops.
On the other hand this ready availability meant a loss in quality, added preservatives and a total lack of traceability.
Finally the time has come when most of us are looking for the real products although most of us still don’t have the time or will to create them.
Before opening his Restaurant Pissenlit in Shizuoka City Chef Touru Arima/有馬亨さん used to make more than 70 kinds of jams in the big hotel he used to work.
Having developed a personal relation with local producers he has been able at long last to concoct real jams for the pleasure and health of his customers!

It is my pleasure to introduce here the first batch! More are to follow!

Mateta Tomato (Iwata City) jam.
The beauty of this jam is that it can also be used as a condiment or sauce!
Actually all jams can be utilized in such manners, too!

Benihoppe Strawberry jam.
Benihoppe Strawberries first appeared in Japan in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2002 and are considered the best in this country for their perfect balance in taste!

Aoshima oranges (Mikkabi) jam.
Mikkabi in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture is called Orange Town!

Hon-yama Green Tea jam.
Hon-yama tea is grown along the Abe and Warashina Rivers in Shizuoka City!
The whole Prefecture of Shizuoka is the main (45%) tea growing region in Japan!

All jars contain about 150g.
Mateta Tomato Jam: 1,300 yen
Benihoppe Strawberry Jam: 850 yen (mini jar for 350 yen)
Mikkabi Orange Jam: 500 yen
Hon-yama Green Tea Jam: 700 yen (mini jar for 250 yen)

All jams can be purchased at Pissenlit Restaurant or ordered by phone or e-mail!

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!

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, 酒, 観光, Gastronomy, Hamamatsu City, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hana No Mai Brewery-Homare Fuji Junmai-Designating Mt. Fuji as a World Cultural Heritage Site

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This must have been the longest title for introducing a sake made in Shizuoka Prefecture!
There are plenty of reasons for that! LOL

Hana No Mai Brewery in Hamamatsu City made a point to tell everyone this is a true local sake as the rice is Homare Fuji sake rice grown only in Shizuoka Prefecture and as the water and yeast are also all from our Prefecture!

The Homare Fuji Sake Rice label was originally designed in the shape of Mount Fuji by a University student!
Hana no Mai Brewery is also advertizing the fact that Japan has applied for recognition of Mount Fuji as a World Heritage Site, both in English and Japanese!
Incidentally, February 23rd has been designated at Mount Fuji Day!

Rice: Homare Fuji 100%
Rice milled down to: 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled on October 12th, 2011

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Light and fruity. Vanilla, macadamia nuts, dark chocolate
Body: Fluid
Taste: Fruity attack backed by strong junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Well-rounded, soft and straightforward.
Slightly liquorish.
Varies little with food except for turning a little drier.
Junmai petillant makes a strong comeback with oranges and coffee beans after food.

Overall: A sake obviously designed for food.
Typical of Hana no Mai Brewery in that it will please young people and ladies.
No wonder it is a popular sake in local izakayas patronized by young people!
A sake to be appreciated chilled, at room temperature or lukewarm/nurukan!

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

観光, Hygyene, Japan, Japanese Hygiene, Japanese Toilets, Japanese washroom, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Toilets, Tourism, Washroom

Japanese Restaurants Washrooms & Toilets Standards: The Best in The World?

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Inside the washroom of a famous French Restaurant in Shizuoka City, Japan!

Washroom and toilets equipment and facilities are probably the most unsung export of Japan!
Just check the shares of such companies as Toto and Inax!
The Japanese live in a country which has to deal with extreme changes in climate and temperature on top of a very high humidity during blazing summers and flood-ridden typhoon seasons.
No wonder the Japanese have become the most picknicky people in the World in their island with an attention to detail that defies the imagination when it comes to personal hygiene!
After all, they are the biggest consumers of paper tissue and wet tissues in the World, too!

The toilets have their lid constantly closed over a heated seat!

In a region like Shizuoka celebrated for its gastronomy all over the country, new restaurants, bars, cafes and even izakaya are outdoing each other with their high-tech washroom and toilets!
Japan is probably the only country where I would dare pronounce the word “toilets” during a meal!
As an example to illustrate what you can and are entitled to expect let me “take you” to the facilities of a celebrated French restaurant which opened 4 years ago with the latest equipment of the time, a standard which has since been outclassed by many more establishments!

First the room itself is large enough for 2 people (spare me the idea!) and catering for many purposes.
As you can see on the above pictures the toilets are covered with a complete lid, a bonus compared to those gaping mouths contraceptions waiting for you back home (in France, in my case!)!
The seat of course can be heated and regulated to a comfortable temperature all year round.
Some new establishments will have toilets whose lid and seat will automatically lift and fall back down upon your entrance and exit!
The toilets themselves will be equipped with washlets spouting lukewarm water (can be regulated, too!). A boon for people with physical limitations!

Don’t start a futile search for levers or cord to press or pull, all handling comes under the form of a “computer box”!
Sometimes the Japanese characters can spell for troubling confusion but the most recent handling boxes are illustrated with small unequivocal “pictures” for a very easy understanding whatever country you come from!

You are “done with it”? Alright, let’s go and wash our hands at the sink located on the opposite side of the room.
A great improvement on most hotel toilet facilities where mirrors and basin are uncomfortably close to your toilets seat if not right in front of you!

A clean and classic white basin with a single adjustable cold/hot water tap/faucet.
I’ve seen other establishments in town adorning this particular section with black marble or false antique basin and tap!
I personally prefer white as an undeniable proof of good hygiene, but this is open to personal tastes!
Actually in this particular restaurant, all wasroom equipment is white from the toilet seat to the hand-washing liquid bottle!

Paper tissues and individual towels are clearly separated! No danger of exchanging germs here!

A cloth-lined basket for the hand towels and a (closed) dustbin for the paper tissue and others!

The washroom is equipped with a large mirror for ladies to rectify their make up and for gentlemen to inflate their ego.
Now, what is in that box on the table left of the mirror?

Extra service: maothwash capsules and cotton swabs (ear buds in England!)!
You might smile or grin, but such mouthwash could come very handy after too much drinking or before going back to work after lunch. Now, I know a lot of uses for cotton swabs….

All this has become a reference for basic excellence. More and more establishments offer even better facilities and I make a point to clearly assess this “unmetionable trait” in all reports on my gastronomic aventures!

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

Chiocolat, 美食, Dessert, 観光, 農業, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Saint Valentin, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Tourism

Saint Valentine Chocolates with a Difference: Shizuoka Tea Chocolates at Pissenlit!

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No less than 3 types of Shizuoka St. Valentine Chocolates!

Saint Valentine is coming near!
Now, all those chocolates that will tempt you might make you think twice about that waistline of yours…
BUT, how about offering and savoring both healthy and delicious chocolates?

Chef Touru Arima/有馬亨さん is putting no less than 3 varieties on sale at his Restaurant, Pissenlit in Shizuoka City, and also takes orders through phone calls and e-mails!

Chef Arima in his kitchen!

The chocolate before the cut!

The chocolate is of the soft type covered with very fine tea powder produced in Shizuoka!

The dark chocolate covered with fine green tea powder.

The white chocolate covered with houji tea.

The Three Graces:
Front: Namaiki Noir (Green tea powder on DGF Yucatan Chocolate)
Top left: Namiki Vert (Green tea powder on Varona Ivoire Chocolate)
Top right: HOUJI (Houji tea powder on Varona Ivoire Chocolate)

All chocolates come at 1,100 yen for 24 pieces in their own box!

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!

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

Bento, 美食, 農業, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, 弁当

Today’s Bento/Lunch Box (12/05): Tamago Chahan & Soft Ton Bento!

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Soft ton stands for “soft” of course and ton is actually another way to pronounce Buta/豚/pork in Japanese! It is a very popular way of eating pork in Japan as it is very eclectic!

The Missus had plenty of plain cooked rice left from the night before and she made a simple and tasty Tamago Chahan/玉子チャハン/egg fried rice, Japanese style with it!
She next prepared soft ton in tonkatsu style (ton/pork being repeated as you can see!) she placed on top of the rice seasoned with tonkatsu sauce. For the finishing touch she added chopped parsley and home-pickled onions with amazu/sweet vinegar!

The Missus conceived a typical Japanese side box with a salad of boiled carrot sticks and string beans seasoned with gomadare/sesame dressing resting on ice plants. Mini tomatoes for more design, colors and vitamins and Japanese pear/Nashi/梨 for dessert!

I know that this combination of fried rice and tonkatsu would appeal to a lot of people!
What with the side dish a perfectly balanced yummy bento!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass, Einfach Bento,
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