Tag Archives: Gastronomy

Sushi Video Report: Ekimae Matsuno Sushi in Shizuoka City!

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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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!

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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

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Trumpet Fish!

Muro aji/Bleeker’s sashimi plate!

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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!

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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

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Anago/穴子Conger Eel!

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

The maki/sushi rolls to finish!

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

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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)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

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

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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!

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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!

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“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

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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Ginjo 20 Year-old Koshu

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I was lucky enough the other day to discover this “koshu/old sake” by Sanwa brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Such sake are rare, even in Shizuoka Prefecture, and you need luck to find them!
I certainly didn’t hesitate as it would have probably been the last chance to acquire it!

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Matured for very long years!

SN3O5439Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture9
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: ; 6
Acidity: 1.3
Contents: 300 ml
Brewed in 1993
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive. Very dry and fruity. Pears, apples.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack.
Complex. Reminiscent of a very fry white sherry wine.
Very dry pears, apples, oranges, pineapple.
Disappears quickly on a lasting dry nuts note. Persimmons making a comeback later.
Elegant and intriguing.
Show many new facets with every sip showing hints of nuts and chetsnuts.
Changes little with food.

Overall: A superb aperitif to be enjoyed at the beginning of a special repast.
Thoroughly enjoyable on its own.
Probably best appreciated as a night cap reading a great book or watching a memorable movie after a great meal or sipping it in great company!
More than a discovery, a privilege!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

BBC Beer Fest at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City: The Beers!

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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!

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On Friday BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka held their first BBC Beer Fest and I decided to conduct a tasting of all the beers offered on an all-you-can-drink deal for 2 two hours/2,500 yen (including one snack)!

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I went there early enough around 18:00 but the event lasted until 24:00 in a very easy manner with customers coming in regularly instead of crowding the place all at once!

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The menus!

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Except for the Kirin Ichiban Shibori and the Cider, all beers were brewed by Jyourokuno NEST Brewery in Ibaraki Prefecture!

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All extra food was priced at 500 yen for generous portions!

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I tasted the beers in the order advised by the manager Kondo san!

AMARILLO FRESH

Limited edition, only 200 small barrels produced.

Alcohol: 4.5 degrees
Clarity: Slightly smoky
Color: Light orange
Foam: Long head, very fine bubbles
Aroma: Fresh and flowery
Taste: Dry and fruity. Citruses. Very refreshing

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WHITE ALE

Belgian type with added coriander and orange peels

Alcohol: 5.5 degrees
Clarity: Smoky
Color: Whitish yellow
Foam: Long head. Very fine bubbles
Aroma: Spicy. Herbs
Taste: Fruity and herbal Lingers smoothly for quite a while. Very refreshing

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BROOKLYN LAGER

Brewed under American license

Alcohol: 5.2 degrees
Clarity: Very clear
Color: Orange
Foam: Long head. Fine bubbles
Aroma: Bread, roasted nuts
Taste: Dry caramel. Bread. Assertive. Deep, dry and refreshing. Stands well too food

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EXTRA HIGH

Matured in cask for 1 year

Alcohol: 8 degrees
Clarity: Slightly smoky
Color: Dark orange
Foam: Long head. Very fine bubbles
Aroma: Bread, dry roasted nuts
Taste: Dark Ale Type. Dry and deep. Bread, caramel, dry roasted nuts. Marries well with food. Very refreshing but solid at the same time. Pleasant alcohol

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KIRN ICHIBAN SHIBORI

Premium Beer/Braumeister

Alcohol: 5.5 degrees
Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Foam: Longish head. Coarse bubbles
Aroma: Herbal
Taste: Dry. refreshing. Thirst quencher. herbs, dry bread and nuts. Stays extremely dry all the way through. Better than “usual” big breweries beers

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STRONGBOW CIDER

English cider

Alcohol: 4.2 degrees
Clarity: Very clear
Color: darkish golden
Foam: Very short head. Coarse bubbles
Aroma: Dry apples
Taste: Very dry cider. Very clean and refreshing. Dry apples.

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

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

Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Vegan & Vegetarian (November 2013-Added To)

LUNCH-VEGAN

Veggie Burger at Rama 45 Organic Cafe & Shop!

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 fifth 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
-For families

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CAFE SAIN

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!

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!

LUNCH-RAMA

Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop

Service: Friendly, smiling and helpful
Facilities: Overall very clean. Washroom a bit small but clean.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Exclusively vegan cuisine. A great scope of vegan ingredients on sale. Entirely non-smoking!

Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop
420-0031 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-5
Tel.: 054-266-3845
Business hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Wednesday
Entirely non-smoking

Other home-restaurant at:

Rama
422-8052 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Midorigaoka, 19-6
Tel.: 054-260-5186
Business hours: 11:00~23:00
Closed on Wednesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

LUNCH-KISSA

Service: A bit shy but very friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Superb cleanliness overall. Superb washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points:
Exclusively vegan gastronomy. No wheat flour. Only mineral water used. Entirely non-smoking!

KISSA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryougae Cho, 2-1-7 (behind Shizuoka City Hall, along Aoba Street, on the right-hand side)
Tel.: 054-253-1339
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00 (lunch), 14:00~17:00 (cafe)
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Completely non-smoking!

LUNCH-LOCOMANI

LOCOMANI

Service: Very friendly although a bit shy!
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness. Nice washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Vegetarian menus. Healthy rice flour cakes. Can prpeare vegan meal with sufficient advance reservation.
Completely non-smoking!

LOCOMANI
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 1-10-6
Tel.: 054-260-6622
Closed every Wednesday and one Monday
HOMEPAGE/BLOG</strong> (Japanese)

LUNCH-CAPU

CAPU

Service: Very friendly
Facilities: old but clean
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Vegetarian and ethnic cuisine. Easy-going atmosphere for all ages and trends. Home-made umeshu and biscuits. Can prepare a vegan meal with sufficient advance reservation.
Non-smoking on Second Floor!

Food & Craft cafe CAPU/カフエカプ
3-6-13, Tokiwa-cho, aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, 静岡市葵ときわちょうー6-13
Tel.: 054-252-5343
Business hours: 12:00~21:00 (Sat. & Sun. ~22:00)
Closed on Wednesdays.
Private parties possible.
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

LUNCH-PISSENLIT-2

PISSENLIT

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.
Can prepare vegetarian or vegan meals with sufficient advance reservation and discussion/explanations!

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

LUNCH-SUGIMOTO

TETSUYA SUGIMOTO

Service: Highly professional and friendly
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Freshest produce and ingredients only, mainly from Shizuoka Prefecture. Organic vegetables, top-class Shizuoka-bred meat and Suruga Bay seafood. Seasonal food only.

Map (Japanese)

Tetsuya SUGIMOTO
420-0038Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Umeya,2-13,1F
Tel./Fax: 054-251-3051
Opening hours:11:30~14:30,17:30~21:30
Holidays: undecided (do make a call first!)
Credit cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

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

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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!

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

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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!

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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!

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

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

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Comforting hot soup on a cold day!

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Konnyaku with carrots and walnuts, and sauteed mushrooms!

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Plenty of fresh lettuce served with home-made dressing!

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Really yummy vegetables quiche!

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Fried beansprouts!

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And superb home-made bread for great total balance!

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

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Soy milk whipped cream!

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I do have a real weakness for fruit tarts!

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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

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

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/11/29): Seasonal Release: Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
bryan-sayuri.gif

Seasonal Release: Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Brewing to delicious effect using unusual and non-traditional ingredients is a hallmark of the Baird Brewery. Our success can be attributed to a few simple rules of thumb: (1) use fresh in-season ingredients, (2) use the ingredients in their most natural and minimally processed form, (3) subject the ingredients to the fermentation process, (4) don’t overdo it — use to accent and complement, not to dominate or overwhelm.

To give you a taste of these rules in practice we are pleased to release from our seasonal Baird Beer cellar Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout.

Seasonal Baird Beer Release:
*Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout (5.5%):

Draught beer manager Chris Madere has long been growing spicy Habanero peppers in his home garden. They often find their way into batches of Taproom chili or gumbo. Well, they began finding their way into Baird Beer back in 2011 — the year we debuted Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout.

Stouts are black roasty beers with a natural smoke component. We highlight and enhance the smoke character here by incorporating beechwood smoked barley as the main base malt. What is smoke without a little fire? We produce ours through deft additions of homegrown sliced and de-seeded Chocolate and Caribbean Red Habanero peppers — once before primary fermentation and once before secondary fermentation. Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout exhibits a perfectly balanced interplay between burnt smoke and spicy heat. The masterful part is that these strong flavors do not invite palate fatigue. The second pint is every bit as delicious as the first! Taste for yourself.

Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout is available for immediate release in both kegs and bottles. It begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Friday November 29).

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

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

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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!

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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!

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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”!

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

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

Soba: Shizuoka Native Buckwheat Noodles at Teuchi Soba Tagata in Shizuoka City (Part 2)!

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Service: Friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat from Shizuoka and rest of Ja@an used. Great use of local seasonal ingredients. Great sake and shochu list.
Entirely non-smoking!

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The first lunch I had at Teuchi Soba Tagata in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, had not been enough to grasp completely and already very good image of the restaurant, so I decided to visit again as soon as possible, and with a friend, to complete my first report!

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Great local sake are a must in a soba restaurant worth its salt!

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Three different salts for the tempura!
The middle one is pure rock salt!

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There were two items I didn’t have the stomach space to enjoy the last time:
Tamagoyaki made with dashi stock soup!

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Very healthy served with shiso/perilla leaf and plenty of freshly grated daikon!

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And a great plate (for two!) of seasonal vegetables and seafood tempura!

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A special note for the succulent kabocha and avocado!

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Colors!

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Of course native buckwheat noodles from Ikawa, Shizuoka City served in “mori soba” style!

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And a great hot Japanese dessert with kinako, o mochi and beans!

See you at dinner next time!

TEUCHI SOBA TAGARA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-6-7
Tel.: 054-250-8555
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays and Thursday lunch
Parties welcome
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery-Premium Yuzuki 2013, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Gentei Hibaihin

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This is the season when Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City comes up with very limited brews as shown in the definition “Tokubetsu Gentei Hibaihin”/”Specila Limited For Reserved Clients”!

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Incidentally “Yuzuki” is the tradtional Japanese name for “November”!

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Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Fruity: Custard, macadamia nuts
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Assertive, dry and fruity attack backed by pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. Dry almonds, persimmons, macadamia nuts, custard.
Disappears quickly.
Makes for a drier turn with food. Junmai petillant still strong with food. In spite of its normal content alcohol stays strong and pleasant all the time.

Overall: Very &”macho” sake by Shizuoka standards, but typical of Morimoto Brewery which always bound to concoct something different.
A sake to be enjoyed by dry but complex sake lovers.
Would marry n\magnificently with any food as very close to a well-rounded dry wine!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Storia in Shizuoka City!

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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!

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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!

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

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I was particularly interested in the A lunch course menu!

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

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Beautiful but comfortable furniture!

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

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Pinot Noir, Casillero del Diablo, from Chile!

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The antipasto misti plate!

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Fish and potato rillettes, ham and ratatouille salad!

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Home-made terrine and sole carpaccio!

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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!

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Simple but so appetizing!

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Garlic toasts for the next dish!

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Mussles steamed in white wine!

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Gnocchi Solentini!

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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!

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Beef Tagliata with Sanchu leaf and makomo/komotake!

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Succulent and tender beef cooked to perfection!

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The dessert!

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

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And Chef Saita is one of them!

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And a nice hot tea to wash it all down!

See you there next at dinner!

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

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

SN3O5175

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!

SN3O5173

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!

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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”!

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

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

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

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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!

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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!

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The kitchen!

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

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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!

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The Terrine de Campagne Sandwich Lunch Set!

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For a closer look!

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

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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!

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

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Plenty of lettuce, sliced onions and pickles!

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

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And of course plenty of French (Belgian) fries!

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Always a local vegetable salad included!

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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

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

BBC BEER FEST at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City! November 29th!

BLUE-BOOKS-BEER-FEST

PLACE: BLUE BOOKS cafe, Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bill 1F (5~10 minutes walk from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit)
DATE: Friday, November 29th, 2013
TIME: 17:00~
DEAL: All you ca drink within 2 hours + 1 food for 2,500 yen. 500 yen extra per extra food.

BLUE-BOOKS-BEER-FESTa

On Friday 29th, you will be able to taste no less than 6 carefully chosen craft beers and 1 cider, all you can drink for 2 hours, for a very reasonable price at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!
Extra foods include shrimps 6 Avocada Cerviche, TEX-MEX Potato Salad, Country Captain, Home-made beef jerky, Quesadilla, Pulled pork, Mac Cheese, etc…

A great occasion to enjoy superlative craft beer in great company in a very cool and superbly clean establishment!

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

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

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

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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

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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!

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

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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!

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The entrance to the restaurant from inside!

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From the entrance you can espy the cake display window!

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Chefs very busy at work in a very clean environment!

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Staff very busy but always with a smile!

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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!

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

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Let’s have a good look at it!

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

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Enormous fried potato wedges!

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American gastronomy at its healthiest!

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Such a great bite!

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Of course, I had dessert!

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

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Beautiful ice cream and sauce for my sweet tooth!

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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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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