Tag Archives: Gastronomic Photography

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Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Italian (as of December 2013. Added to)

December 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Traditional Pasta at Aquavite!

Many people only have time to visit restaurants at lunch and it is certainly not easy to find a restaurant with a better lunch with all those cheap diners around!
Here is the second installment of a series of reports on recommended lunch restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture which will be classified as follows:
-French
-Italian
-Western (American, European, et al)
-Japanese
-Asian
-Vegan & Vegetarian
-Ethnic
-Healthy

AL PORTO

Service: Kind, attentive and smiling!
Equipment & Facilities: Splendid cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (this is a hotel!)
Prices: Appropriate to expensive
Strong points: High class Italian gastronomy. Excellent wine list by the bottle and the glass. Great dessert plate!

AL PORTO
420-0851 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane Cho, 56, Hotel Associa, 15F
Tel.: 054-205-8633
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Reservations advised
Credit Cards OK
HOTEL HOMEPAGE ENGLISH
AL PORTO HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

STORIA

Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Extremely clean overall. Splendid gender separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Light & mild Italian gastronomy. Great use of local products
Entirely non-smoking!

STORIA
Chef: Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん
422-8076 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo 1-7-13, Espacio Takajyou, 2F
Tel.: 054-260-7552
Opening hours: Lunch-11:30^14:30; Cafe-14:30~18:00, Dinner-18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays and 2nd Tuesday (the next day in case of National Holiday)
Credit cards OK
Entirely non smoking!

VENTY DUE

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Excellent Washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Specialty: Real Napolitan Pizza baked on wood fire
Completely Non-smoking!

22 Venty Due
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo Machi, 3-21-20
Tel & Fax: 054-260-4522
Business hours:18:00~21:30
Closed on Sundays
Reservations advised.

OSTERIA TIALOCA

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

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

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 in inventive cuisine. 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!

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
Entirely non-smoking!

Chef/Owner: Mr. Sebastiano Bonomi Pattini
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
HOMEPAGE
Credit Cards OK

TRATORRIA IL PALADINO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great and very large washroom, great cleanliness overall
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive.
Strong points: Sicilian Cuisine. Top-class Italian wines and great collection of Grappa.
Non-smoking at tables. Private room can be made non-smoking!

Tratorria . Il Paladino
420-9839 Shizuoka City, Aoi-Ku, Takajo, 2-8-19
Tel.: 054-253-6537
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK (Dinner only)

IL CASTAGNO

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment: Great general cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great appetizers. Home-made pasta!. Great use of local products from the land and the sea. Southern Italy and Sardinia gastronomy.

IL CASTAGNO
420-0843 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Tomoe Cho, 48
Tel/Fax: 054-247-0709
Business hours: 11:45~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed every Monday and 3rd Tuesday
Credit cards OK (dinner only)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

CAFE AKKO

Service: Shy but friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Extremely clean overall. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Slow and healthy Italian gastronomy created mostly with local products!

CAFE AKKO
411-0036, Mishima City, Ichi ban Cho, 17-49, BT Bldg., 1F
Tel.: 055-943-5598
Opening Hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays, national Holidays and Wednesday evenings (except when fully reserved or for events)

CONTORNO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall
Prices:Reasonable.
Strong points:Many local products be they from the land or the sea. Organic vegetables. Car park.
Entirely non-smoking!

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 (Japanese)

Lunch sets: 1,480 yen~
Dinner: Appetizers: 500yen~, 1,000 yen~
Pasta: 930 yen~
Pizza (oven-baked): 1,180 yen~
Carte available

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.
Completely Non-smoking!

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

SPICE

Service: Very friendly
Equipment: Great general cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong Points: Local vegetables and meat! Very healthy meals!
Completely Non-smoking!

SPICE
Mishima City, Hon-cho, 7-30, Via701-2, 2F
Tel.: 055-981-8889
Opening hours: 11:30~15:00, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays
Parties welcome!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Completely Non-smoking!

IL BROLO

Service: Friendly and easy-going!
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Beautiful washroom. Private tree park. Car parking.
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Wood oven baked pizzas. No smoking at lunch.

IL BROLO Pizzeria

421-0103 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mariko, 2990-1
Tel./Fax: 054-266-7880
Openinh hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:30~21:30
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday of the month
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
No-smoking at lunch!

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Pasta, Photography, Pizza, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tororjiro

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Il Brolo in Shizuoka City!

December 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I took the opportunity of my my visit to Mariko the other day to have lunch at a small bur busy pizzeria, Il Brulo!

One of its main attractions is a beautiful and cute small tree park which changes colors with the seasons!

The building used to be a Japanese-style cafe!

Il Brolo is equipped with a wood oven for entirely home-made pizzas!

They have some interesting (and very popular) set lunches. We opted for one with a tomato pasta, the other one with a Margharita Pizza and a glass of wine each.
Incidentally, you may order from the carte even at lunch!

The antipasti misto!

Fresh salad for good overall balance!

Brocoli, kabocha and fritata!

The tomato pasta, very mild in taste!

The Margherita Pizza!

For a better look of a healthy pizza!

The dessert: sweet potato cake and banana ice-cream!

And a true expresso to finish it all!

See you at dinner next time!

IL BROLO Pizzeria

421-0103 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mariko, 2990-1
Tel./Fax: 054-266-7880
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:30~21:30
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday of the month
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
No-smoking at lunch!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Beef, 牛肉, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Non-smoking restaurants, Photography, Recipes, Recommended Lunch Restaurants, Restaurants, Roast Beef, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Sirloin Roast Beef Lunch at Don Ko An Restaurant In Shizuoka City!

December 7, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Kind, smiling, and easy-going if a bit shy at the beginning.
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable to slightly expensive (beef is not cheap in Japan!)
Strong points: Beef! Roast Beef! Wagyu Beef! Take out and online orders!
Entirely non-smoking!

Don Ko An has now been in business in Aoi Ku along the Sengen Street< Shizuoka City for the last 15 years and as far as I know they are the only restaurant specializing in Roast Beef in the whole Prefecture!

it certainly has a good reputation in Shizuoka City and since I was visiting Sengen Street yesterday it was only normal I finally visited the place!

The lunch menu was certainly very attractive!

Beautiful noren/暖簾/entrance curtain!

The team (not including Tatsuya Suzuki’s founding father) of two smiling staff, the Chef of the House, 2nd generation Tasuya Suzuki and his spouse!

Part of the lunch menu! And it is a big one!
I chose the 3-slice sirloin roast beef lunch set!
At night there is a Wagyu Roast Beef Dinner available!

There is also a vast choice of take-outs on site and through the Internet!

The three-slices of roast beef lunch set!
Very reasonably priced when you consider the volume!

It comes with green salad,

very healthy Japanese soup,

and steamed white rice!

And the roast beef slices are truly enormous by Japanese standards and by my own!
Great sirloin meat you don’t need a sharp knife to cut through!

And served with grated horseradish!
very healthy actually!

Note: as lunch time is very busy you’d do well to come at 13:00 when customers are not so many!

DON KO AN
Roast Beef Restaurant
Chef: Tastuya Suzuki/鈴木達哉さん
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, baban Cho, 106 (mid way along Sengen Street)
Tel.: 054-251-7002
Fax: 054-251-7019
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~20:30
Closed on Sundays and national Holidays
Entirely non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Daikon, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Indecent (Well-Hung?) Daikon!

December 6, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

No, I didn’t make up this photograph!
I found this interesting daikon at Akutsu Organic Food Store!
This often happens in Organic culture, especially when water is lacking, forcing the daikon to grow more roots!

As you can his friends do not stand the comparison!
All were grown organically in Ishigami Garden, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, vegetables

Italian Gastronomy: Dinner at Storia in Shizuoka City!

December 6, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I hadn’t planned to back to Storia, the newest Italian Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, but my worse half suddenly developed an interest for it and we were there for dinner last night!
The Dragon “took care” of the ordering (there were some items I definitely wanted to sample, so I suppose I will have to come again on my own!)!

Storia offers an interesting deal with wine for dinner: if you order a full bottle the House will offer you an appetizer plate!

The appetizer plate!

Parma ham!

Succulent Shizuoka seabream carpaccio with home-made semi-dried tomatoes!

Terrine de campagne!

Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん has the knack and patience to choose some of the best vegetables in Shizuoka Prefecture and his oven-roasted vegetable plate is a must!

Actually I’m persuaded a vegetarian and even a vegan could enjoy a truly Italian dinner there!

Roasted to the perfect minimum and such beatiful colors!

Do try the home-marinated olives with your wine!

Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん also specializes in some great meat dishes including game.
It was a bit of a battle but we agreed on the quail legs wrapped in bacon and served with a Marsala sauce!

Some famed yakitori restaurants should take note!

For fish we had a typical fish from Suruga Bay: Isaki/伊佐木/Chicken Grunt (what a name for a fish!)!
Sorry, I took only one picture, busy as I was serving the Missus!

We had a bit of a fight again about the pasta so we left it to Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん to decide for us!

Beef Ragu Tagliatelle! Another must-try!

Of course we had to have dessert!

Home-made semi freddo ice cream!

And coffee served as it should be!

Note: Contrary to what the Dragon thought, although she loved the food, I love the sheer simplicity of the place. The cuisine is high standards even by Shizuoka standards, and it is traceable!
I especially recommend Storia to ladies, although I plan to go there again on my own! LOL

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Sushi Video Report: Ekimae Matsuno Sushi in Shizuoka City!

December 1, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, attentive and informative
Facilities: Overall clean if a bit old-fashioned
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Local sake. Always ready to improvise!

Showing the access right across form Shizuoka JR Station north exit

We here in Shizuoka are not The True World Foods or Tsukiji!
Mr. Andrea Petrini, can you hear me? Ou m’entendez-vous?

Showing the sake and display window.

In shizuoka one does not need spend untold amounts of money or eat cheap sushi at crowded places to savor truly local, hyper fresh sea products and this accompanied by some of the rarest and best sake in Japan.
just get off Shizuoka JR Station from the north exit and you will find Ekimae Matsuno Sushi Restaurant just beyond Matsuzakaya Department Store on your left hand side.

This venerable institution has been standing on the same spot since well before the WWII and has always boasted more local fish served than anywhere else.
It does not need to show off or take grand airs but still has the courage to declare the restaurant as a non-smoking haven!

Showing the trumpet fish and the first sashimi plate

For once this shirako/白子/male cod sperm/milt sacs were not from Shizuoka but all the other fish I sampled were!

The above shirako was served to accompany a superb sake by Kokou Brewery (Fukuroi City)
At 16~17 degrees it is a ginjo genshu bottled in October 2013. V\beautiful nuttey taste withhints of dark chocolate and coffee beans!

My first plate of sashimi consisted of from bottom to top and left to right:
–Seared Scabbard Fish/Tachiuo aburi/太刀魚炙り (also called Largehead hairtail or Cutlass Fish.
-Ara/Sawedged Perch/アラ
–Kihada/黄肌/Yellowfin Tuna
–Yagara/Trumpet Fish-Cornet Fish/ヤガラ

Trumpet Fish!

Muro aji/Bleeker’s sashimi plate!

The next sashimi plate was Ｍuro Ａji/Bleeker/ムロアジ, a variety of Horse Mackerel!
It was serve both as normal sashimi and tataki/Japanese tartare!

The Master of the House at work!

The nigiri sushi and dessert!

Then it was the turn of nigiri sushi!
From left to right:
-Kihada Akami/金肌赤身/Yellowtail lean part
–Hooboo/魴鮄/Spiny Red Gurnard
–Ma Aji/真鯵/Japanese Jack mackerel
–Kohada or the skin and flesh of konoshiro/小肌/Dotted Gizzard Shad
–Oori Ika/障泥烏賊/Bigfin Reef Squid

Anago/穴子Conger Eel!

Home-made chestnuts yokan/Japanese jelly, marinated ginger and finely chopped takuan/pickled Japanese daikon!

The maki/sushi rolls to finish!

Negitoro Maki/ネギトロ巻/Scraped tuna with chopped scallions!

Kampyou maki/干瓢巻/Dried shavings of calabash/gourd

See you there!

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI/駅前松乃寿
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 3-3 (Just in front of Shizuoka JR Railway Station
Tel.: 054-252-0123
Business hours: 11:00~21:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Italian Gastronomy: Scabbard fish in Anchovy Sauce at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

December 1, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

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!

one overwhelming reason why I keep coming back to Solio Italian Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, is that Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん is always trying to adapt local products to Italian recipes for a superb fusion gastronomy!

“Sacbbard Fish/Tachiuo/太刀魚” is one of the great fish caught in Suruga Bay offshore Shizuoka Prefecture.
It is a very eclectic fish which can be prepared in innumerable manners.
Takahiko first deep-fry as he would do with conger eel and serve it with deep-fried Autumn eggplants with an exquisite anchovy sauce!
A must-try!

I wonder if they have scabbard fish in Italy? But the the Italians should definitely try it!

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!
Happy hour: 16:00~17:00: 1,000 yen set-3 appetizers plate and 1 glass of house wine!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Vegan Gastronomy: Vegan Lunch Set & Vegan Cake at Cafe Sain in Shizuoka City!

November 30, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly
Facilities & Equipment: Spotless clean overall. A bit small but perfect washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Exclusively vegan gastronomy with local vegetabes and fruit!
Entirely non-smoking!

Yesterday walking along Genan Street in Ryogae=cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, I couldn’t help notice this board at street level!

Cuisine using no meta, fish, dairy products, nor eggs!
Well, well, Shziuoka City seems to have taken a special like for vegan gastronomy as this is the ofurth one I have discovered!

Actually I found out later that Ms. Akino Yabutani/藪谷安希乃さんopened her restaurant 2 years ago, making Cafe Sain (“Sain” stands for “Healthy” in French!) the second oldest vegan Restaurant & Cafe in Shizuoka City!

I knew my hunch had been correct when I discovered the beautiful vegan cakes in their display window as I entered the establishment!

Although there are quite a few choices of single dishes or set I opted for the Vegan Quiche Lunch Set!

Comforting hot soup on a cold day!

Konnyaku with carrots and walnuts, and sauteed mushrooms!

Plenty of fresh lettuce served with home-made dressing!

Really yummy vegetables quiche!

Fried beansprouts!

And superb home-made bread for great total balance!

Akino’s parents grow Benihoppe/red Cheeks Strawberries in Shizuoka City so these were picked in the morning to find themselves atop my cake!

Soy milk whipped cream!

I do have a real weakness for fruit tarts!

Not only beautiful and tasty but also really satisfying!

I’m no vegan and never will be but I’ll come again!

CAFE SAIN
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae Cho, 2-4-29, Aspis Bldg. 2F
Tel.: 054-221-5514
Opening hours: 11:00~20:00 (until 18:00 on Tuesday)
Closed on Sundays and first Monday (might sometimes close unannounced)
HOMEPAGE
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Beef, 牛肉, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Fusion Gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Beef Cheek Stewed in Red Wine at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

November 28, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

have you ever tasted beef so tender that you don’t need a knife at all in spite of the big chunks of succulent meat?
Well, in this case you certainly must try the Beef Cheek Stewed in Wine painstakingly prepared by Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦 at Solio in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Served with deep-fried Autumn eggplants/aubergines and potato slices it certainly makes enough for a dinner some bread and wine!
It took the two of us to finish in the middle of a dinner, so it should be enough for a single person!

Another real Italian “comfort food”!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Storia in Shizuoka City!

November 27, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I finally found the opportunity to visit the newest Italian restaurant to open in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City on October 19th!
The more for it that it is near my working place just beside Cenova Department Store on the second floor overlooking the entrance to the Shizutetsu Railway Line!

They have the good sense to put up a lot of information downstairs, including one of their wines!

I was particularly interested in the A lunch course menu!

The place is so clean and modern with still a nice warm touch!

Beautiful but comfortable furniture!

I decided to have a glass of the rd wine they advertise downstairs!

Pinot Noir, Casillero del Diablo, from Chile!

The antipasto misti plate!

Fish and potato rillettes, ham and ratatouille salad!

Home-made terrine and sole carpaccio!

A beautiful green salad for great lunch balance!
Note that Chef Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん uses practically only vegetables grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Simple but so appetizing!

Garlic toasts for the next dish!

Mussles steamed in white wine!

Gnocchi Solentini!

Actually the waitress had kindly advised me I could ask for pasta instead. I politely declined as I have a weakness for gnocchi! And I certainly was right!

Beef Tagliata with Sanchu leaf and makomo/komotake!

Succulent and tender beef cooked to perfection!

The dessert!

Although much maligned in Europe the Japanese have become masters of Tiramisu!

And Chef Saita is one of them!

And a nice hot tea to wash it all down!

See you there next at dinner!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Spinach & Cheese Risotto at Soloio in Shizuoka City!

November 26, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind posting a blog on a single dish, especially when it one by Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦! at Solio Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City!
And the more for it because he makes the best (in my opinion!) risottos in the whole Prefecture!

Presentation and originality are primordial with such an apparently simple dish, but it is more difficult than one can imagine at first!
Actually Takehiko has always told me that he secret resides in the home-made stock soup first of all!

This particular risotto, very seasonal, was concocted with fresh spinach from his own garden and cheese!
You could not only taste the superb spinach but also bite on it with the small pieces of stems included on purpose!

A real Italian “comfort food”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Fusion Gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Sandwiches, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

French-American Gastronomy: Terrine de Campagne Sandwich at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

November 26, 2013 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. Entirely non-smoking in very modern atmosphere. Great books!

The bar and drinks corner!

The great thing about a good restaurant/cafe is the regular, even if partly, change of menu!
This is why I’m always having difficulties keeping away from BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

The kitchen!

Actually, I had planned only a light snack that day, that is before I saw the menu!

I soon realized it was a lost cause when I saw “”Sandwich in Pate de Champagne”!
Being French, I knew they meant “Terrine de Campagne Sandwich”!
Just reading this reminded me of the many such sandwiches back home!

The Terrine de Campagne Sandwich Lunch Set!

For a closer look!

Enormous sandwich!
I knew I had to use fork, knife and all the fingers of both hands!

A very generous portion of terrine!
Note that the bread was lightly seasoned and toasted, although a bit soft by French standards, but making it easier to eat!

The bread!
Actually I ate the bread separately in between mouthful of vegetables and terrine!

Plenty of lettuce, sliced onions and pickles!

From another angle to show you the good balance, both in design and ingredients!

And of course plenty of French (Belgian) fries!

Always a local vegetable salad included!

And plenty of tea to wash it down!

What is it to be next, I wonder?

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)
Entirely non-smoking!

Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Bagel, 美食, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Sandwiches, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Organic Vegetables Bagel Sandwich at D&DEPARTMENT DINING SHIZUOKA by TAITA in Shizuoka City!

November 25, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities: Great iverall cleanliness. Nice washroom
Prices Reasonable
Strong points: American-Western Gastronomy. Large portions. Healthy. Non-smoking until 16:00

It was my first visit that day at D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT in SHIZUOKA by TAITA for a farmers’ Market event organised there and I took the opportunity to take lunch at their restaurant!

Since they were celebrating their fifth Anniversary, all sorts of thanks comments by the staff were written on the windows!

It was very busy at lunch and I did have to wait for quite a while giving plenty of time visiting their shop in the left half of the ground floor and upstairs!

The entrance to the restaurant from inside!

From the entrance you can espy the cake display window!

Chefs very busy at work in a very clean environment!

Staff very busy but always with a smile!

I was particularly interested in the menu at the extreme right because I knew the farmers whose organic vegetables were used in the bagel sandwich!

The organic vegetables bagel sandwich lunch set with the glass of wine included!

Let’s have a good look at it!

Plenty of greens for good balance! Always appreciated!
Especially when you know that most vegetables are grown locally!

Enormous fried potato wedges!

American gastronomy at its healthiest!

Such a great bite!

Of course, I had dessert!

Hot bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and berry fruit sauce!

Beautiful ice cream and sauce for my sweet tooth!

How long had it since I had a true bread pudding?
I don’t mind cycling for 30 minutes to have lunch there. although I will have to check dinner soon!

D&DEPARTMENT DINING SHIZUOKA by TAITA
D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT in SHIZUOKA by TAITA

Manager: Ms. Chinatsu Mori
422-8034 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Takamatsu, 1-24-10
Tel.: 054-238-6678
Fax: 054-238-6679
Opening hours: 10:00~20:00(Saturdays and Sundays~23:00)
Non-smoking until 16:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Large parking Lot available
HOMEPAGE

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, Foie Gras, Food, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

My Ten Best Foie Gras Dishes in Shizuoka City!

November 24, 2013 dragonlife 3 Comments

Pain de Foie Gras Matured with Mirin White Lees, Chouchou Farm Kankankan Musume Corn Vychissoise and soft pancake made with inca mezame potatoes served at at Pissenlit French Restaurant in Shizuoka City!
Mirin is sweet sake, and brewed in Fujieda City! A rare dish if there was one!

I love foie gras! Well, I’m French!
But the Japanese, especially in Shizuoka City, have convinced me that they have the right way to prepare it in the most delicious and (comparatively) healthy manner!

Here is, including the above, a selction of the arguably best 10 foie gras dishes I have enjoed in this gastronomic City of Shizuoka, Japan!

The love story between America, Japan anf France continues!
Foie Gras Hamburger at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

Organic Eggplants, Foie Gras and Organic Burdock Root Sauce at pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

Sauteed Landes Duck Foie Gras with Madeira Sauce on Truffles Risotto at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

Potofu di fegato e ravanello giapponese: Foie gras atop stewed daikon as served at Al Porto Restaurant in Shizuoka City! A must in Japan!

Seared Foie Gras in black truffles sauce on Porcini risotto as served at Hana Hana in Shizuoka City!

Pressed Confit of Hungarian Foir Gras with Balamico reduction and Dentelle/Sugar Lace Crepe as srved at Beau Ciel in Shizuoka City!

Foie gras poele on Corn Galette with Madeira Sauce as served at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

Country-style foie gras and wild boar terrine as served at Chz Satsukawa in Shizuoka City!

Sautéed Foie Gras with Toukun strawberries, fried and glazed Toukun Strawberry, Foie Gras Mousse on Aromatic Herbs Tile and Toukun Strawberry Jelly as served at Gentil in Shzuoka City!

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