Tag Archives: Cafe

Bistro, Cafes, 美食, 観光, 農業, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bistro Gastronomy: Croque-Madame at Café Brasserie Patina in Shizuoka City!

February 24, 2012 dragonlife 4 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.

As promised in the presentation of Patina’s Croque-Monsieur I visited the establishment for lunch yesterday to sample their Croque-Madame!

But just as I was ordering lunch my eyes fell on the wine bottles on the counter… one was of a special interest to me!

Givry! My home town in Cote Chalonnaise in Bourgogne, France!
Do try it for its great reliabilty and light touch!

The Croque-Madame!

Great balance with plenty of local baby leaves and vegetables!

Topped with a beautiful egg fried to a perfect softness and seasoned with ground herbs!

The running egg yolk with the great bread, ham onions and Mornay sauce was a little sin!
Now, this is real bistro gastronomy!

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

Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Cafes, 美食, 観光, French gastronomy, Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bistro Gastronomy: Croque-Monsieur at Café Brasserie Patina in Shizuoka City!

February 16, 2012 dragonlife 8 Comments

The Croque-Monsieur’s first recorded appearance on a Parisian café menu was in 1910.
It was probably the first true fast-food snack served in French cafés and bars.
Originally a Croque-Monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich sometimes served with Bechamel or Mornay sauce on top.

But frankly speaking, I prefer Patina’s version which is both more elaborate and lighter than the Parisian one!

And it certainly looks more appetizing!
And it was fulfilling enough!

And the generous portion of baby leaves and other leafy vegetables made for a very healthy and well-balanced lunch!

Patina serves it with a crunchy slice of superior bread first covered with Mornay sauce, then a thick slice of delicious ham before topping it with a slice of yummy hard cheese.
It is then toasted (slow food!) to attain a crunchy bite all around and top with a soft inside.
The last touch is added by sprinkling it with ground spices and finely chopped herb out of the oven!

Next time I will introduce its counterpart, a Croque Madame!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

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!

February 5, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

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!

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:

Cafes, Cakes, 美食, Dessert, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Café Hanya (般若) in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

January 11, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Very friendly and quiet
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness and beautiful gender-separated toilets
Prices: Very reasonable
Strong points: Traditional Coffee shop. Very reasonable “home food”. Very quiet. A rare non-smoking coffee house!
English and French fluently spoken by the owner!

In an era crowded with chain shops of dubious taste and hygiene it is so refreshing to discover a new coffee shop who offers a relaxing calm atmosphere, allows you to stay as long as you want, serves very reasonably-priced meals and spares you from any smoke in a quiet environment only a few minutes walk from the bustle of town and civilization!

just drop off the Tokaido Line at Kusanagi Station, take the first street on the street on the left until you reach a small river and turn right. There you will discover the coffee shop sign!

No, this is not a demon, but a protection against evil spirits!

The place used to be a very busy cramming school until the Yokoyamas retired last year and decided to transform it into a quiet and homely coffee house.

They also double up as a tiny gallery for local artists.

The tables and chairs are all different either by walls or large windows.
Just choose your little corner!

There are tables for groups of 4, couples and individuals.

Beautiful noren/entrance curtain opening onto the washroom!

Plenty of reading material as you may stay as long as you want!

Drapes help diffuse the light!

Hanya Noh Theater mask!
Hanya is a character found in the Noh Theater lore!

A lot of customers will be tempted to take the table paper cloth away!

Cute goblin!

A personal toothpick is provided with the chopsticks!

At lunch take a good look at the different set menu as they tend to come up with something different very quickly according to the mood and season!
On that day there were two new sets offered. The picture above shows a baked cheese curry!

I chose the other new set: open hamburger steak lunch!

You can’t beat a fresh homely lunch!

All lunches come with coffee or tea and a dessert!
How much did I pay for that? A mere 800 yen!

For people who just wish for a drink and dessert set I would recommend hot green tea (this is Shizuoka after all!) and home-made cake set!

Such a pleasant way to serve green tea!

To be continued…

Café Hanya (般若)
424-0886 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Kusanagi, 1-11-2 (3 minutes walk from Kusanagi Station)
Tel.: 054-345-4377
Opening hours: 07:00~18:00
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
HOMEPAGE/BLOG
Entirely non-smoking!

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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

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Bars, Brasserie, Cakes, Coffee Shops, 美食, Dessert, 観光, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Café & Brasserie: Patina in Shizuoka City!

December 30, 2011 dragonlife 6 Comments

The fashion for a long time having been to patronize famous/notorious fast-food cafes with a dubious approach to gastronomy and atmosphere the more traditional cafes with a far more authentic cachet had all but disappeared.

Unfortunately Shizuoka City had not escaped from the trend and had, but for one or two establishments, become a barren land as far as coffee shops were concerned.

At long last some courageous individuals and companies are beginning to help reverse that sorry situation.
“Patina” opened on the 12th of December in increasingly fashionable Tenmacho for the pleasure of haven seeking patrons!

Right from the moment you enter you realize that the establishment is both different and reassuringly familiar as if you were traveling back to a more comfortable era.

The whole place is a comforting kind of jumble with seats for every taste from a personal table tucked in a corner to long sofa benches along the wall and mismatched arm chairs at the counter.

You will need quite a few visits before you elect to sit at the same place!

The place doubles up as a cafe and a light meal bistro/brasserie-style coffee-shop so much in evidence in any French city worth its salt. This implies you can either settle for coffee or tea or start drinking in earnest with food to accompany any time of the day!

The whole staff are ladies and the young Chef, Ms. Akiko Kondoh/近藤亜希子さん has plenty of experience and (dinner will come in another article) her elegant confectioneries are worth the visit!

Her apple millefeuille with ice cream is fast becoming a favorite!

And their teas and coffees are not only delicious but served the traditional and proper way!
I’ll meet you in the evening in front of a pâté de campagne and a glass of wine next time in the evening!

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Quiche Plate at Cafe Belle Equipe Vegetable

July 6, 2011 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Very friendly if a bit shy
Facilities: Very clean. Beautiful toilets
Prices: Reasonable. Very good value
Strong points: Healthy food. Great set lunches. Beautiful array of cakes.

There are times when you 1) are in a hurry, 2) do not want to eat too much, 3) are hungry, 4) and want to stay healthy…
This is when you are happy to know a place like Cafe Belle Equipe Vegetable within quick distance in the middle of your city!
They serve full plate meals at any time of the day that have the merit to be very healthy, fresh, well-balanced and satisfying without contributing unwanted calories.
Mind you, I’m having a hard time staying away from their cakes (which I somehow managed to do this time!)!

This time I ordered the Quiche Plate (or the “Quiche set” as they say in Japanese) which comes with two different small bread buns.

The buns are not only delicious but they come freshly baked with real butter! They nicely contribute to the whole balance and add the good bite feeling to the whole lunch!

As usual the plate comes with plenty of fresh local vegetables!

Now I must say I have a little weakness for this vegetable (and eggs) quiche filled with sweet onions and potatoes and topped with real tomato. The crust is soft and light and actually adds another satisfying note.

And the meat part is provided with a small hot spicy sausage!

It should satisfy any appetite until dinner!

CAFE BELLE EQUIPE VEGETABLE
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho,, 10-1, Villa Tenmacho, 2F
Tel.: 054-251-0200
Business hours: l0:00~22:00 (11:00~22:00 on Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00~21:00 on National Holidays)
Parties (small to large) welcome! Special party menus.
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Health Food Cafe: Cafe Belle Equipe Vegetable in Shizuoka City!

June 28, 2011 dragonlife 2 Comments

The idea of a beauty salon company opening a cafe/restaurant serving health food is a very sound idea to me. After all, it is only one step going further in taking care of the looks of one’s body!
Two years ago, Belle Equipe Co. decided to open Cafe Belle Equipe Vegetable in Tenmacho, one of the newly fashionable districts of this large city, and it was about time I paid it a visit for lunch after having cycled past it so often!

After I climbed an outside stairs and penetrated through an elaborate entrance both filled with an almost retro bric-a-brac I discovered that the place was far larger than expected.

It is basically divided into two rooms at a different level. One can choose from small tables for privacy, an enormous table seating at least twelve or the second room for even better privacy.

Individual space in Japan is at a premium and I always appreciate some form of comfortable aloofness.
Interestingly enough, customers come from all ages, a good sign of the quality.

No, they won’t propose you to eat in heaven!
The place is a bit of nicely organized jumble and is worth a second and third look as they also sell all kinds of biscuits, cakes and even objets!
As for eating and drinking, they serve lunch, dinner, drinks and cakes in the afternoon and alcohol at all times!

There was just too much to choose from for my first visit, what with more than 4 regular set lunches and two specialties of the day and an array of single dishes.
I hadn’t eaten a true hamburger for a long time, so I opted for the Hamburger Set Lunch which looked so healthy on the menu!

I must confess I was surprised at the size and generosity of the hamburger plate!

Now the hamburger had two great qualities:
-The meat being a combination of chicken and read meat, it was very light in spite of its size and was heads, shoulders and whatever above the fare of some notorious hamburger diners! And certainly far healthier!
-The sauce had been made out of real tomatoes, not something out of a cheap can!

And it was accompanied by a mountain of vegetables! Talk about good balance!

It was not all as it was served with another salad, vegetable miso soup and rice!

Kabocha and almond salad!

Rice can be ordered plain, whole or both. I opted for the latter!

I had black tea to “finish” the meal. Certainly more elegant than usual!

The sugar is individually wrapped!

Now, I must admit my health took a bit of a bashing when I just couldn’t resist choosing one of the more than 12 cakes on display!
I know that one single reason for coming back will be the investigation of those cakes!

Flan aux prunes/hard custard and prunes
Definitely not a Japanese concept!
Bother, I will have to wait until next week for my next visit unless I can manage some free time for another cake!

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Shizuoka Cocktail Bar: BAR NO’AGE

March 25, 2008 dragonlife 4 Comments

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After a grand dinner at Aquavite, the best Italian restaurant in Shizuoka City, I just could not resist my good friend, Mr. Naohiro Momose’s invitation to his favourite Cocktail Bar, NO’AGE.
As the name indicates, all customers of all ages are welcome. I’m sure that a certain Roaf in Yokohama would make it his personal lair as it is not only a great place with grand drinks, but is also very reasonable!

For our first round Naohiro opted for Fennel Gin Fizz, our friend Mika chose a more feminine drink, Karien (Greek for chestnut Liqueur) including plenty of cream, while I went for a NO’AGE creation called Kinkan (small ornages) Vodka Gimlet.
To tell you the truth, these went down a bit too quickly!

Poor Mika being left behind, Naohiro ordered a very classical (very) Dry martini, while I chose to check the Chestnut Liqueur (French) they used for our poor lass’ brew.

While we nibbled on a welcome snack, we engaged into a serious conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Itani, the young owners who opened this cozy bar on the 21st of June 2007. Being a Monday, I noticed taht the place was quite busy for the beginning of the week, a sure sign of its popularity. Ladies and gents were equally represented, while I was the only old geezer on hand.

Poor little Mika was still struggling finishing her own glass while the “men” were asking the one for the road:
Naohiro obtained “up to date”, a Bourbon based concoction while I asked something based on Mirabelle. I was served a succulent “Allegro” containing Mirabelle, Apricot and lemon juice (shaken).

It was about time to leave then as work was in wait for all of us the next morning.
But the place was undoubtedly too welcoming and knowledgeable to forget easily!
Especially when you consider we hadn’t been able to even scratch the menu, which by the way includes plenty for teetals!
Problem is that I will have to wait at least a week before my next visit as I promised my (???) half I would cook all week!

BAR NO’AGE
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken-cho, 3-6, ACT-7, 2F
Tel. & Fax: 054-2536615
Business Hours: 18:00~02.00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Shizuoka Music Cafe Bar: Lifetime

December 15, 2007 dragonlife Leave a comment

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On November 27th, 2007, Fugetsuro Hotel revamped their first floor completely to replace the simple cake-shop/cafe they previously had with a very much larger cafe bar in Kutsunoya Machi across Shizuoka JR Station.

As far as the cafe itself, it is very probably the only decent Hotel Cafe Bar in town.
It is large, but not overwhelming, seating about 80 people. One can either choose a seat at the counter, inside the room or in one of the street-facing lodges. Excellent background jazz music and friendly staff.

Do not be too harsh on the English written on the menu. The place does serve quite a few dishes apart of their cakes made on site that you can either savour inside or take home.
As for drinks, every taste is covered as they include very good coffees and a surprisingly long array of teas served in beautifull china.

For the late drinkers (and their companions), malt whiskies, beer, wine, sake and even a kome/rice shochu by Sugii Brewery in Fujieda City called Saisuke!

Now the big plus is the regular Jazz Concert Programme every Thursday, but forthat you had better consult their homepage! (the list id simply too longand impressive for this posting!)

LIFETIME
Shizuoka City, Aoi-Ku, Kutsunoya machi, 11-1
Tel.: 054-250-0131
Business Hours: Tuesdays: 13:00~25:00
Saturdays: 11:00~24:00
Sundays & National Holidays: 11:00~19:00
Mondays: Off (except on National Holidays)

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Cafe Scene

November 14, 2007 dragonlife Leave a comment

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Cafe Scene, an old favourite of mine since its foundation in 1989, is the type of Cafe difficult to classify.
The more pleasurable for it. Frankly speaking, I find myself in a dilemna as to what I should laud first:
-The music: great jazz allday long fromthe owner’s private CD collection. If you are a jazz fan, he will certainly come up with a favourite artist of yours.

The coffee: superb quality, each cup (all different, mainly Wedgwood), lovingly prepared in front of the customer if you sit at the counter.
-The coziness: an old wooden counter seating 9 guests on high wooden chairs and a table by the window, the perfect place for special compnany.

-The owner: Mr. Otsunori Uehara moved to Shizuoka City from his native Osaka in 1987 to open his Cafe the following year. A very mild man with the delightful renants of his birth place patois, he is always ready to engage in a pleasant discussion when not concocting one of his his great brews or absolutely extravagant breakfasts.

-The atmosphere: most customers are faithful patrons who help preserve an amosphere of calm excellence away from the bussling centre. Wood everywhere, bric a brac of all kinds (Mr. Uehara is a collector. Of what? I would be hard put to explain!). Looking around is a small adventure in itself.
-The food: you must try Cafe Scene breakfasts! I will not tell you more!
And keep an eye for the two daily cakes.

For the record:
Original coffees (3), Straight coffees (6: Brazil~Blue Mountain), Coffee a la carte (7)
Soft drinks (11), including a delicious 100% grapes juice
British tea
Ground coffee on sale, too
Breakfasts, especially popular and god value (350~700 yen, all inclusive)
Cinnamon Toast (vegetarians!) 600 yen

Cafe Scene
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oote Machi, 45, (near Miyuki Street-Hontori Street intersection)
Tel.: 054-2733200
Business hours: 07:00~20:00 (from 08:00 on Saturdays)
Closed on Sundays

Homepage (Japanese)