Tag Archives: Gourmet

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

Foie Gras Hamburger Lunch at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

October 25, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

The love story between America, Japan anf France continues!

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

Very busy on opening day in spite of Typhoon No 27!

The center of Shizuoka City is definitely taking a big turn towards modernity with a completely renovated Den Building in Aoi Ku 5-10 minutes straight walk from the Shizuoka JR Station!

Entrance sign from indoors.

Taita Company opened its new venture of the first floor of Den building with a vast cafe cum book store with the name of Blue Books Cafe. This the 19th different restaurant or cafe (to which must be added 6 more stores) although the company has succeeded to conceive them all in different genres.

It is both a cafe restaurant for lunch, a cafe in the afternoon and a restaurant in the evening although you could easily combine two of them as you are welcome to stay as long as you want for a drink.
It also doubles up as a multi-genred bookstore of a higher level.

The books also make for great decoration!

One can choose (if available) a spot of his/her choosing for maximum enjoyment.

There is also a comfortable entrance/exit linking to the rest of the building and its shops!

Take a seat near the kitchen and bar if you are interested in the workings of the place!

Great decorations hanging on the red brick wall!

The menu is pretty large for lunch and is written in English (with very few typos!)!

Since it was my first visit I decided to have a go at one of the best offerings: Foie Gras Poele (not “poire” which means “pear”! LOL) and Berry sauce Burger!

Fresh leaves salad and drink included!

A real beauty. don’t you think? And really big!
At 17 US $ ridiculously cheap!

Home-made grilled hamburger steak with superior beef!

Real foie gras separately poeled/sauteed with a beautiful cranberry sauce and real cranberries! Top American gastronomy (with a French touch!)!

Plenty of absolutely fresh vegetables!

Plenty of chips!

Even the buns are worth the visit!

Great attention to details!

More articles coming soon as I will have to survey cafe and dinner time as soon as possible!

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

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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: 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, Biscuits, 美食, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Recipes

“Mammaretti” (Traditional Amaretti) by Maria Filice!

October 25, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I have had the pleasure to know Maria Filice (a first-generation Canadian-American Italian) for quite some time and even had to the honor to read and write a review on her first book, Breaking Bread In L’Aquila by Maria Filice, a book that I actually offered to one of my favorite Italian Restaurants in Shizuoka City, Japan, a City famed all over Japan for its superior gastronomy!

Just the other day I had another great surprise when I received the above beautiful box all the way from the US from Maria who kindly asked me to taste the contents and give my impressions!

A very elegant and yet so homey box for a great present!

Although I am French, our gastronomy have shared so much with Italy since the Renaissance that the two have become difficult to differentiate. We also share a great love for almonds and cakes, pastries and biscuits created with them as almonds are not only so beautiful in taste but also because they are a valuable ingredient in food, particularly in winter, and even maybe more crucial, almonds are an indispensable source of vitamins and fibers!

True artisanal gastronomy at its best!

These Amaretti called “Mammaretti” for all her mother’s love are Maria’s latest creation in line with the beautiful recipes already introduced in her Breaking Bread In L’Aquila book.
Being fully aware of my own bias, I asked no less than nine friends (in only two days), all Japanese but truly cognizant of Italian gastronomy, to taste them and share their impressions!

Just the right size !

Japanese people in general do not really appreciate really sweet cakes or confectioneries, and my friends’ first reaction was to compliment on the great balance of the biscuits with the perfect sweetness and the truly intricate taste of the almonds inside them.
“So simple and so sophisticated!” was the overwhelming comment.
Not only adults but two 9 year old children tasted them (the children asked for more, of course!).
The children greatly appreciated the softness of the Mammaretti and its recognizable taste.
On the other hand, adults were also truly impressed and agreed this would make the perfect biscuit to eat at any time of the day, but more particularly with a rich coffee or even a light green tea! Bear in mind that the Japanese eat biscuits all day long!

As for me, these Mammaretti were simply a great discovery to cherish at all times.
This is genuine artisanal gastronomy and a direct visit to forgotten tastes and their lands!
I’m convinced that Maria puts a lot of love remembering her mother all the time when she prepares her little beauties!

A personal recommendation?
Do try them with a small glass of Amaretto Almond Liqueur!

“Mammaretti”, a little treasure to keep within hand’s reach all the time!

MAMMARETTI By Maria Felice
30 US $ per box (plus shipping and handling)
Orders can be diretly placed throughMaria Felice HOMEPAGE or e-mail to ff@foodandfate.com

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 美食, Food, Food Humor, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Humor, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine

Weird Japan (38): “A Taste of the Through World”?

October 24, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Found this at a local market this morning!

This food is distributed by KRC Co. Ltd of Tokyo, a big wholesaler.

Mind you, since I’m a fantasy fan, such food might help me at last to penetrate the other side of the world!

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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, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 豚肉, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Pork, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Wagyu Beef, 和牛

Wagyu Beef at Sumpu No Nikudokoro Restaurant (Lunch) in Shizuoka City!

October 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful and modern gender-separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable (wayuu is not cheap anywhere!)
Strong points: Almost completely local ingredients. High class beef and pork. Great local sake and shochu list! Non-smoking at lunch time!

I had been curious for some time about a new restaurant which had been opened this year above a convenience store of all things this year when the far corner across Cenova Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, was reclaimed for development.

The name of the restaurant is “Sumpu No Nikudokoro/駿府の肉処”. Sunpu stands for the old name of Shizuoka City and Nikudokoro means “the place for Meat”!
Pity they don’t take the pains of at least writing the English pronunciation when you hear that Shizuoka Prefecture and City have recently declared to promote tourism more actively…

I had noticed this advert for a single donburi/bowl dish priced at 800 yen/8 US $/6 Euros for quite a while and I had thought that the place was maybe a very reasonable and simple restaurant subsidized by the Shizuoka Prefecture Government, the Agriculture Department in particular. I was proved slightly wrong!

Frankly speaking the lack of explanations and introductions on the ground floor was a bit frustrating and I was somewhat surprised to find out after climbing nondescript stairs to stand in front of small but elegant entrance!

An the surprises only continued after I had stepped inside!
Wow! Special Wagyu certified from Shizuoka Prefecture!
Actually no less than 12 breeders have been awarded the distinction in our Prefecture!

hey were not shy about exhibiting the meat used in the restaurant, a sure sign of superior quality!

Then I started to understand!
Wagyu is horribly expensive in Japan, wherever it is produced and moreover if it has received the label ‘Special Choice” by the Government!

The restaurant is owned and run by the Shizuoka JA (Japan Agriculture), the biggest Agricultural Association in Shizuoka Prefecture (and also heavily subsidized by the country!)!
Now, I knew why the prices were still comparatively reasonable, even for local products!

The establishment is absolutely spotless clean with a direct view into the kitchen! Talk about superior hygiene!

Not only the meat, but most of the sake and shochu are also brewed in Shizuoka Prefecture!

There are three types of seating: A counter by the window, very practical for individual guests of\r couples, benches and tables for 4 people apiece and a dig-in kotatsu Japanese room you can partly or completely reserve for a meal away from other guests’ sight (500 yen extra per person in the case). The Japanese room can be completely reserved for up to 8 guests. Otherwise parties up to 26 guests are accepted. Total reservation can be insured for up to 66 guests.

The sliding doors of the private Japanese-style room.

My first was for lunch at which you can a choice of single bowl dishes between 800 and 980 yen (very popular with office workers and doctors working nearby!), and three meat lunch sets between 1,200 yen and 3,000 yen. I chose the latter, which at 30 US $ is still very reasonable!

Next time I will strongly suggest that they write an English translation!

Not only the wasabi (of course!) but even the salt is local!

Supreme fat to coat the BBQ plate with before grilling the meat and vegetables! Extravagant!

Absolutely beautiful!
Now, what do we have?

Two kinds of wagyu and Kinton-o pork form Shizuoka prefecture!
Actually our Prefecture is nationally know for its supreme pork!

They need to translate that, too!
It does make for good reading, actually!

In the bckground lean Wagyu Beef and in the forefront Kinton-O Pork!

Great attentions to detail: served with grilled garlic slices and chopped thin scallions!

Naturally the vegetables are exclusively local!

Local vegetable salad and Shizuoka green tea as a bavarois with jelly!

Shizuoka-grown Koshihikari rice! A real beauty!

They should translate that too in English:
Shizuoka Koshikari rice is the earliest to be harvested in the island of Honshu: planted in April, rice grains appear in July and the rice is harvested end of August!
It is nicknamed “Pearl Rice”!

A light soup, perfect to wash all that good food down!

100% Shizuoka orange juice! The real article!

You grill everything at your own pace and order!

So tender and so juicy wagyu beef!
What else can you ask for?

Look forward to more reports as I want to investigate some of the ridiculously cheap meat bowl lunches and of course a full dinner with local sake and shochu!

Sumpu No Nikudokoro
Shizuoka Sodachi
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oote Machi, 2-15, MRK Bldg., 2f (across Cenova Dept. Store above 7 eleven convenience store)
Tel.: 054-251-4129
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00
Closed on third Wednesday of each month
Credit Cards OK
Reservations highly recommended for dinner!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/10/22): Baird-Shiga Kogen Hop Fest Collaboration Ale

October 22, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Baird-Shiga Kogen Hop Fest Collaboration Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Passion and authenticity are hallmark traits of craft brewing. So too is the spirit of friendly cooperation and genuine camaraderie among artisan brewers. This spirit has manifested itself of late in what has become known as ‘collaboration brewing’ — the joint effort between breweries of conceptualizing, formulating and then brewing an original beer together. We were honored to be able to collaborate with our brewer friends at Shiga Kogen recently in just such an endeavor.

We at Baird Brewing love the hop and we steadfastly have been committed to using it only in its most minimally processed whole flower form. Sato-san and his crew at Shiga Kogen have been pioneers in the revival of small-scale hop cultivation in Japan. Before this year’s hop harvest I suggested to Sato-san that we brew a beer together at the Baird Brewery in Numazu, the recipe for which would be designed based on the exclusive use of whole flower hops harvested at the Shiga Kogen hop yard in Nagano prefecture. He said ‘yes.’ Collaboration on!

The Shiga Kogen brewers were up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, August 24. They busied themselves picking hops in the pouring rain to drive to Numazu for immediate use that day in the Baird Brewery kettle and whirlpool tank. Freshly picked non-dried hops are called ‘wet’ hops and they must be used in very short order or they will begin to mold. Well, from Nagano hop yard to Shizuoka brew kettle, only 6-7 hours passed. We dumped roughly 12 kg of Shiga Kogen wet hops into our brew system — several times the normal usage of dried hops. We also added around 2 kg of dried Shiga Kogen hops from the previous harvest. Shinshuwase, a Japanese variety, was the main hop used. Two hops of mysterious origin, one thought to be of American pedigree and one European, also were put into action.

Sato-san and I designed Hop Fest Collaboration Ale with two things in mind — the hop harvest and the autumn season. The autumn season is reflected in Hop Fest’s deep mahogany color as well as its rich malty flavor. So as to leave the spotlight on hop character and malt flavor, we kept the wort gravity moderate at 12.45 Plato and the final alcohol content reasonable at 5.3%. As a fortuitous finish, we were able to harvest a bit of our own first-year hops (mostly from Shinshuwase and Cascade rhizomes gratefully received from Shiga Kogen), planted on our new brewery grounds in Shuzenji, and to add them as a dry-hop addition to the post-fermentation conditioning tank. Hop Fest Collaboration Ale is unfiltered, secondarily fermented in package and naturally carbonated. It is a delicious symbol of what people can achieve when working joyously together.

Hop Fest Collaboration Ale will be debuted at a kick-off party to be held at the Nakameguro Taproom this Thursday, October 24. Brewers from Baird and Shiga Kogen will lead an initial kanpai at 7:00 pm and be available to talk about the collaboration and field any of your questions. Shiga Kogen beer and hops will be the themes at the Nakameguro Taproom from Thursday through Sunday (November 27). In addition to Hop Fest Collaboration Ale, three other Shiga Kogen hop-harvest ales will be on tap: Miyama Blonde Harvest Brew, Harvest Saison, and “Even Prime” White IPA Harvest Brew. Baird will contribute to the hop theme with two small-batch German single-hop brews: Magnum Single-Hop Ale and Perle Single-Hop Ale.

Chef Joon is getting into the act too, featuring three unique dishes made in part with Nagano and Shizuoka ingredients: (1) Wild Boar and Yam Goulash with Malted Whole Wheat Bread (paired with Hop Fest Collaboration Ale), (2) Shio-ika and Kama-age Chirimen Pizza (paired with Miyama Blonde Harvest Brew, and (3) Homemade Deer Sausage with Soba Spaeztle (paired with Harvest Saison). The shio-ika and chirimen for the pizza are from Nagano and Shizuoka, respectively. The deer for the sausage is from our new brewery neighborhood in Izu, and the soba flour is from Nagano.

Please plan to join us at the Nakameguro Taproom this weekend and help us to make the celebration as collaborative (and fun) as was the brewing!

Hop Fest Collaboration Ale will also be served on draught, beginning Friday, October 25 at the following loyal and long-time customers of Baird and Shiga Kogen: Popeye, Good Beer Faucets, Finlaggan, Tir’na’nog, Four Hearts Cafe, Craft Beer Market Toranomon, Beer Yokota, Beer Bar Maru Maru, Bulldog, Grow Stock, Banji Kaicho, Vivo, Kamikaze, Craft Beer Base, Beer House Ken, Gold’n Bub, Okadaya, Towers and Craft Beer Bar. The bottle-conditioned version will be available in limited supply through our Japan network of Sakaya retailers also beginning Friday, October 25.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/10/17): Latest Seasonal Releases: Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale and O-Bosan Ale

October 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Latest Seasonal Releases: Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale and O-Bosan Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Unlike industrial beer, where summer reigns supreme, craft beer truly is a beverage of all seasons. That said, fall — with its crisp and brisk weather — strikes us as a quintessentially good season for the enjoyment of the robustly full-flavored ales that typify craft beer. We are excited to announce today’s release of two such autumn ales: Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale and O-Bosan Ale.

Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:

*Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale (ABV 6%):

To baseball fans, October means World Series (also known as the “Fall Classic”) time. To me, the annual Fall Classic invariably brings back boyhood memories of watching and rooting for the great “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati teams of 1975 and 1976 World Series fame. Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale was brewed initially in 2005 as a 30-year tribute to the Cincinnati Reds World Series championship team of 1975 (they beat the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic 7-game series). We continue to brew it annually because it is such a fine beer and it is the perfect libation to enjoy while taking in the Fall Classic. While my Cincinnati Reds will not be challenging for the World Series ring this year, I still will be glued to the tube each evening, sipping on a Big Red Machine and enjoying one of the world’s great sporting events.

Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale is brawny in the depth and richness of its malt character, and balanced beautifully by a spicy and sprite hop essence. Much as the rare combination of power and finesse was a hallmark of the Big Red Machine on the field, so too is it a hallmark of Big Red Machine in the glass!

Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale is keg only this year — we will return to bottling it again next year at our new brewery. It begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Thursday, October 17). It is available for immediate shipment to other craft beer serving establishments throughout Japan.

*O-Bosan Ale (ABV 7%):

The Belgian beer landscape is dotted with monastic breweries that have created many unique beer styles over the long course of their brewing history. One such style is a Belgian Dubbel. Dark red to brown in color, Dubbels tend to be relatively strong in gravity and alcohol, medium in body, with flavor notes of caramel, chocolate and pit fruit.

If this style had been brewed in Japan, it undoubtedly would have been crafted by some beer-loving sect of Buddhist monks (O-Bosan). Sadly, it hadn’t been. The Baird brewers have stepped in to fill the void. Our O-Bosan Ale is a celebration of the religious history that informs large segments of beer culture. May it help you to find your inner being!

O-Bosan Ale is available for immediate release in both kegs and bottles (360 ml).

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Crafts, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Crafts, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Fruit, Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Seafood, Shizuoka Traditonal Handcarfts, Tourism

Shizuoka City Products & Crafts (and more!) at Shin Yoo Bank!

October 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Don’t get me wrong! This is not an advert for a bank nor a suggestion that you should deposit your money there!
In fact my accounts are not held in this bank!

But if it is your first visit, or if you wish to know a bit more about our City, walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station, past the main crossroads with Egawa Street and you will find Shizuoka Shin Yoo Bank/静岡信用銀行 on your right just before reaching Shizuoka City Hall!

Have a good look at their display windows. It is definitely worth the attention! Actually if it rains or if it is too hot you could see the main posters inside. The bank welcomes casual visitors!
If all banks were emulating it Shizuoka city would certainly be an even better place for it!

Plenty to look at or read!

And even more!
Shall we have a look at them in detail?

Mount Fuji including views from Yui, Nihondaira and miho Beach!

Shizuoka City Highlights: Nihondaira Zoo, Daidogei Street Performance World Cup, Umegashima Hot Springs, Yui Honjin Park!

Shizuoka City History: Kunozan Toosgoogun Shrine, Seigen temple, Toroi Ruins, Sumpu Castle Park!

Top to bottom: Daidogei Street performance World Cup, Sakura Ebi/Cherry shrimps. Sengen Shrine, and Mount Fuji view from Nihon Daira!

Shizuoka Prefecture Designated Product: “Shikibu” clog!

Green Tea lacquer Box!

Wooden Bilboquet Shoe, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

A Clock, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

Soccer Ball Lacquer Bowls, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

A Mount Fuji Dyed Cloth bag, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Mana” Beach sandals, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Tuna Fishing”, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

“Lady Eyes Miso Soup Bowls”, which won a special prize at the Shizuoka Dream Design Contest!

Shizuoka Prefecture Designated Product: Bamboo lattice Craft Box!

The display window!

Citruses, Sumpu Castle, Mount Fuji view from Yui, Mount Fuji View from green tea fields!

Actually, the posters inside are different!

Shizuoka City products: Hina dolls, Geta/Wooden clogs, Suruga Bamboo Lattice Crafts, Suruga Lacquerware!

Shizuoka City Gastronomy: Tuna, Wasabi, Tororo Jiru/Grated Yam, Abekawa Mochi Wagashi cakes (vegan!), Shizuoka Oden!

More shizuoka Gastronomy: Green Tea, Oranges, Strawberries, Shirasu/Sardine Whiting, Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps!

Actually, there is so much more!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

美食, Drinks, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Breweries: The One That Disappeared-Yagi Brewery (Tanchou/丹頂) in Shimada City!

October 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

During My visit to the Shimada Obi Festival last Monday I walked past a small private museum/display of Shimada craftsmen’s tools and artifacts.
I made an interesting discovery proving that you can’t overlook anything!
The photo above is taht of a sake bottle bag printed with the word “Tanchou/丹頂” the brand name of the late sake Brewery called “Yagi Brewery/八木酒造”
The brewery disappeared some ten years ago before I really started delving into Shizuoka sake history.
The reasons for its demise are quite simple: the brewery was basically making sake on order for the big breweries in Nada (Kobe) region. When the sake boom of the 70’s receded the orders decreased and finally stopped. On the other hand the other brewery in Shimada City, namely Ooumuraya brewery/大村屋酒造 famous all over Japan for its brand names such Onna Nakase/女泣かせ, Onigoroshi/鬼殺し and Wakatake/若竹 was striving as it has opted for a local market for some time and stopped producing for the Nada breweries a long time ago.

This is when I realized that their shop, Tanchou Honten/丹頂本店 was just across the road!

The ground floor of the decrepit building is still used as a bike shop!
An article for my friend at Abandoned Kansai?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, 酒, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Seafood, Tourism

3rd Shizuoka Gourmet Kingdom Fest 2013 in Shizuoka City (October 19th & 20th)!

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

On october 19th (Saturday) from 11:00 to 20:00 and 20th (Sunday) from 11:00 to 19:00 everyone will be able to discover how extravagantly rich is our City of Shizuoka at 3rd Shizuoka Gourmet Kingdom Fest 2013!

It will be held in Aoi Ku behind (west entrance) the Shizuoka City Hall and all along the Aoba Street/Aoba Symbol Road!

Can you guess what is produced, caught and bred in our City?
See the list below (not exhaustive!):
-Shirasu/Sardine Whiting
-Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps
-Beef
-Vegetables (impossible to count)
-Wasabi (it was born in Shizuoka City!)
-Strawberries
-Pork
-Poultry
-Tuna (did you know that? Especially Albacore/Binnnaga Maguro, also nicknamed Shizuoka Tuna!)
-Hanpen (dark sardine paste cakes)
-Oranges and citruses

Frankly speaking I already know that to show all products of Shizuoka City would require a far bigger space, but I’m sure there will be enough to overwhelm you!

Local sake brewed in this city will be represented by the following breweries: Haginishiki, Suruga (Tonko), Eikun, Kanazawagawa (Shosetsu), Kumpai and Sanwa (Garyuubai)!

Naturally all the major Japanese beer companies will also be represented as guests as they know you will be thirsty on these two days! LOL

For more information call 090-6469-0597 (Japanese)

Report coming!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, 静岡市, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Scallops, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Tourism, 寿司

Sushi: “Birufeuille” or Millefeuille by Chef kenta Birukawa at Sushi Ko in Shizuoka City!

October 15, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Pro and very friendly
Facilities: Very clean. Excellent toilets
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great variety of seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan. Great list of sake and shochu

On our way back from the Shimada Obi Festival we decided to have dinner at Sushi Ko Sushi Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City last night!
I and Dragon took the opportunity to challenge Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん into an new cretioon!

Actually Dragon made the suggestsion.
Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん is famed for his Sushi Millefeuille and Spicy Scallops Roll!
Hence he was asked to combine the two!

Can you guess what ingredients were used?
Well, the main part consisted of three layers of shari/sushi rice with one layer of raw scallops which had been seasoned with mayonnaise and spices beforehand and a layer of thinly sliced crunchy Japanese cucumber.

A view from the top may help!

Well, the top was garnished with pieces of scallops, tempura kasu/tempura batter bits for more crunch, scallions. ikura/salmon roe and akami/red lean tuna!

For a closer view!

More scallops and other tidbits to avoid any disputes between Dragon and I!

What happens when yo start demolishing the edifice!

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん who had conceived his creation for a photograph first interrupted us to add the missing mayonnaise and other seasoning!

Even half broken it still looked a beauty!

SUSHI KO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-9701
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Hamamatsu City, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hana No Mai Brewery-Tokubetsu Junmai Cenova 2nd Anniversary

October 13, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

hanan No Mai, located in Hamamatsu City, is the largest sake brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture and makes a good use of all events in our Prefecture to well their products.

Cenova Department store in Shizuoka City just celebrated its 2nd Anniversary and like for the opening and 1st Anniversary hana no Mai produced a tokubetsu Junami limited to 100 numbered bottles. I got No 11!

“Local Souvenir”!

Hana No Mai Brewery has a habit of printing the exact bottling date on their labels!

Rice locally grown
rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled on September 30th 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Assertive and fruity. Custard
Body: Fluid, lightly sirupy
Taste: Soft attack at first, immediately followed by puissant junmai petillant warming up back of the palate.
Fruity and dryish. Custard, macadamia nuts, almonds, oranges.
Lingers for a while before softly disappearing with more macadamia nuts and ornages.
Takes a small back step with food on a slightly drier note with more dry oranges.
Away again from food sees a solid appearance by chestnuts.

Overall: A typical sake from Hana No Mai Brewery with a comparatively soft approach.
A sake probably best enjoyed before food.
Should please younger people and ladies alike.
A sake fit for beginners, too.
Would make for a beautiful sweet aperitif when chilled!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Okra, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Okra Flowers Tempura at Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, polite, but easy-going
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: All kinds of bubbly drinks. Very healthy and tasty food snacks made with local products.

okra are becoming very popular in Asia and Europe although it originated from Central Africa.
It is also extensively grown here in Japan but it is somewhat eaten in a manner different from that in Africa.
For one, the flowers are edible and can be prepared in many ways.

Since this is Japan one manner that would come to mind is tempura although the Japanese would eat okra in any form even raw!
What is more uncommon is cooking the flowers.
Unlike comparatively robust zucchini flowers okra flowers will wilt very quickly as they bloom for only one day.

One way to circumvent that problem is to cut the flowers just before they open and leave them in the fridge where they will open and conserve longer.

Last night I had the pleasure to savor both the okra pods and flowers organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji at Jacuzzi awabar, the newest gastronomic bar in Shizuoka City!

As tempura goes this is both teasingly simple and sophisticated.
Crispy, so tasty, almost sweet!
You must try it! With a glass of French bubbly rose wine!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, Conger eel, 美食, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Square Bean, Tourism

French Gastronomy: Land & Sea/Conger Eel & Winged Bean at Pissenlit in Shizuoka City!

October 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

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 and caught fish. Very inventive French gastronomy.

Shizuoka Prefecture being practically “sandwiched” between sea and land in the mildest part of Japan occupies the most favorable location for a constant supply of fresh produce from the sea, the land and the mountains all year round.
It is more a question of finding new ideas to combine such products in season than to look for a rare product and try to arrange it.
Shizuoka conger eels or anago/穴子 are famed all over the country and can be sampled at many Japanese Restaurants.

Chef Toru Arima/有馬亨さん being Japanese but first and foremost a French cuisine chef came up with the idea of preparing conger eel almost in Japanese manner by first sauteed and baking it to a crisp and seasoning with a sauce combining both traditional Japanese and French sauce ingredients (secrets, I’m afraid!) I can only guess, but the result leaves you baffled in between two traditions for your utter gustative pleasure!

Now, the wing bean (also known as the Goa bean and Asparagus pea, Four-angled bean and Winged pea) placed symmetrically atop the conger eel is actually called “Square bean/Shikaku Mame/しかく豆” in Japanese.
Would you believe it is a tropical legume plant native to Papua New Guinea?
It is a very valuable vegetable when it comes to all kinds of beneficial elements.
It has recently acquired a big reputation here in Shizuoka and is presented and eaten in all kinds of sizes.
The one used Tooru is still small and young.
Not only it is a tasty and healthy vegetable but it also offers all sorts of design idea thanks to its fresh color which helps enhance the darker colors of meat or fish!
Incidentally this winged bean was organically grown in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji!

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, Desserts, 静岡市, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Halloween, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

10 Halloween Treats in Japan (Shizuoka Prefecture actually!)!

October 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its melons!

Halloween is around the corner and all shops have certainly turned orange, the color of pumpkins!
It can sometimes become boring but if you try to stay positive there are many pictures to take and many ways to celebrate!

Here are 10 of my favorites here in Shizuoka Prefecture!

1) Halloween Bento!
Note the orange pumpkin inside it to justify the name!

2) Halloween Chou!
The Japanese cannot imagine a dessert without some kind of chou, chou a la creme, or chou cream popping up in their heads!
This particular ones are filled with chocolate custard. All home-made!

3) Halloween Donuts!
Discovered in a department store in Numazu City!

4) Halloween Melon!
This is my favorite! I couldn’t introduce it just after the top picture!
Shizuoka Prefecture is known all over Japan for its melons!

5) Halloween Gratin!
A large one for he whole family!
If you want the recipe, I’ll be glad to send it to you!

6) Halloween Kabocha Croquettes!
Sophisticated French gastronomy in Japan!

7) Halloween Kabocha Gratin!
A bit of a repeat, but the design is so cute!
I can also send you the recipe on request!

8) Halloween Apples!
Taken during the Daidogei Street performance Festival!

9) Halloween panckes!
Another way to prepare pancakes with kabocha!
I can send you the recipe on request!

10) Halloween Pop Corn!
The ultimate American Junk Food!

For a better view!

Wait until Christmas for another surprise!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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, Bars, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Gastronomic Bar: Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

I had been on the lookout for this place for quite a while since the owner of Taky’s Cakes and Cafe owner decided to move to new and larger location (report next month I hope).

I had to surprise to find out it had opened on the very day I chose to have a better look and visit!
Actually, another surprise was waiting for me inside!

Keisuke Ohta/太田圭祐さん is in fact an old acquaintance of mine in spite of his relatively young age. Some one year ago he left his previous employment to open a successful wine bar called Vin Vino in Ryogae-Cho, Aoi Ku before starting this second venture!

The small place is an incredible example of Japanese ingeniousness making the most of what small space was available.
6 guests can sit on chairs at the counter while 10~12 more people can stand at two tables and 3 half tables against the wall.
Even so, two staff can work at ease behind the bar and cook without nay hassles.

Incidentally you can use their beautiful business cards as coasters!

The counter bar.
Actually very little change was brought to the place except for the seating!

The lighting is modern but diffused.
As a customer if you want a little privacy sit at the counter or stand at one one of the half tables against the wall.
If you want to be seen and see stand by one of the two tables behind the bay window!
Mind you, depending on the kind of customers it can either be very quiet or definitely raucous!

I started with a dry wine from the Cotes du Rhone in France with no bubbles, but one can enjoy, beer, sake, cocktailes, liqueurs, spirits, whiskey, wine by the glass or bottle, fizzy or flat, soft drinks, soda and light meals!

Now, the food is definitely of a higher level but reasonable!
All the vegetables are organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji!
The above vegetables exquisitely cooked as “frites” (actually an elegant tempura) are worth the visit alone!

From a different angle two kinds of eggplants, a square bean and other beauties the staff take pride in meticulously introducing!
There are plenty of other tasty morsels available but that will be for the next report!

And do not forget to explore the wine list including such unusual offerings as this pink fizzy wine from Yamanashi Prefecture!
See you soon there again!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES