Tag Archives: Japanese Gastronomy

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

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

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Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities: Very clean. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A true cafe where to relax and enjoy a good light meal any time of the day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Shiboritate Junmai Genshu

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Negami Brewery has the particularity to be situated at a height of 550 meters on the slopes of Mount Fuji!
This means the water used for brewing their sake gushes out of the very mountain!

I love the traditional Japanese design!
The crane and turtle/tortoise in Japan are symbols of good luck!

Rice milled down to 55% (extravagant!)
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Bottled in December 2011

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Strong, sweetish and fruity. Elegant. Oranges and nuts
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with soft junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Oranges tend to dominate with some nuts and dark cherries.
Disappears fairly quickly on a drier note.
Varies little with food, although make a short turn to sweetness but will turn back again very swiftly to a drier note once away from food backed up with more oranges and dark cherries.

Overall: A very pleasant sake, if a bit strong, to enjoy on its own or with any food.
Despite its extravagant millage (55% for a junmai!) it is a sake most suited for food thanks to its high alcohol contest!
A sure value at any time!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Oden Fair 2012! Sunday 12th!

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Men at work!

Sunday 12th saw a bright day with big crowds in Shizuoka City and it was quite a feat to take pictures in that bustle!

Sakura ebi/Cherry shrimps Yakisoba!

This time I started with the side streets of Koya Machi, Gofuku Cho and Shichiken Cho before a last round in Aoba Square and Aoba Koen/Park!

Famous croquettes from Mishima City!

The oden stand of the most famous kamaboko/steamed fish paste shop in Shizuoka City!

The oden stand of Tokaiken, the largest bento shop in town!

Yuujin Izakaya Oden!

Lunch time for many families in Gofuku Cho!

A popular tebasaki/手羽先/Chicken wings stand!

Comfort food for the cold weather!

Shizuoka Young Meat producers Association oden stand!

Oden stand of Ogawa, one of the most famous oden restaurant in town!

Mirukusanbu Izakaya oden stand!

More families gathering for lunch in Shichiken Cho near the Isetan Department Store!

Akai Izakaya oden stand!

Setsuko Oden Izakaya oden stand!

The city had provided plenty of trash bins and kept cleaning up the place at all times!

Back in Aoba Koen the street was even more crowded!

Plenty of wardens to take care of the crossing traffic!

It was just impossible to take pictures inside Aoba Square behind the Shizuoka City Hall!

Some serious drinking even at lunch time!

Any place would do for eating (and drinking!)!

Even plenty of beef (and beer!) was available!

The Shizuoka specialty: Sakura Ebi Kakiage/Cherry Shrimps Tempura!

See you again there next year!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Oden, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Oden Fair 2012! Saturday 11th!

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Pho soup oden by Annam Vietnamese Restaurant!

I managed to find some time today to make a quick tour of Aoba Koen in daytime and take the pulse of the Shizuoka Oden Fair 2012 on its second day!

It being a sunny Saturday and National Holiday the place was crowded in spite of the cold!

Families busy eating and drinking!

Anything’s good to attract the customers’ attention!

Oden from Otaru in Hokkaido Prefecture!

Getting ready for a long day’s work!

A popular oden stand!

Kamaboko/Steamed fish paste from Yui!

Korean oden and brochettes!

My favorite oden stand: Sabou Yamako/茶房山幸!

Oden from Yaizu City!

Shizuoka Gourmet Ekinan Sakaba!

Fujinomiya Yakisoba!

A tent crowded with revelers!

Another favorite of mine: Annam Restaurant Vietnamese oden stand!

Vietnamese oden!

Pho soup oden by Annam Vietnamese Restaurant!
Hot and piquant, perfect in that cold weather!

I’ll have a look at the side streets tomorrow!

The event is held in five different locales from the 1oth to the 12th of February in Shizuoka City:
-Aoi Square/青スクエアAoba Park/青葉公園・青葉シンボルロード
Time: 11:00~20:00

-Gofuku Cho Doori/呉服町通り/Shichiken-cho Doori/七間町通り and Koya Machi/紺屋町
Time: 11:00~17:00

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Oden, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Oden Fair 2012! Friday 10th!

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Yamako Oden Stand/山幸!

Yesterday, the first day of the 2012 version of Shizuoka Oden Fair was freezing!
But it was still better than last year when we were beset with rain!

I reached Aoba Park just before dark at about 17:15.

The event billboard!

Although it would be very busy on Saturday and Sunday, it was still quiet as office workers had not left their jobs yet and it was simply freezing under the gutsy wind!

But the hardy people manning the stands kept themselves warm until the night got really busy!

Oden from Himeji in Okayama Prefecture!

Oden from Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture!

Vietnamese oden!

Korean oden!

My favorite oden stand, Yamako Oden Stand/山幸!

They serve all kinds of titbits apart of oden, notably sausages, meat balls and tororojiru!

The oden!

The miso sauce!

My oden!
The true Japanese comfort food!

Shizuoka Sake served hot at another stand!

Not oden but sakura ebi/Cherry Shrimps from Yui!

As it got darker more people started coming!

No they didn’t serve oden or tomatoes at “Tomato House” but brochettes/yakitori!

I should be able to take better pictures this weekend during the day!
Stay tuned!

The event is held in five different locales from the 1oth to the 12th of February in Shizuoka City:
-Aoi Square/青スクエアAoba Park/青葉公園・青葉シンボルロード
Time: 11:00~20:00

-Gofuku Cho Doori/呉服町通り/Shichiken-cho Doori/七間町通り and Koya Machi/紺屋町
Time: 11:00~17:00

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, Education, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Organic Vegetables, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Strawberries, Tourism

Shizen No Chikara Organic Farm: Visit by “47 Japanese Farms” in Shizuoka City!

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Syunsuke Sano/佐野俊介 of Shizen No Chikara Organic Farm explaining his craft to Roshni Nirody and Sara Harriger of the U.S. Department of State

Ms. Roshni M. Nirody (from New Jersey) and Ms. Sara Harriger (Alaska) employed by the U.S. Department of State working for the Foreign Service Institute, Japanese language and Area Training Center at the U.S. Embassy in Japan paid us a visit in Shizuoka City!
Not only these young ladies speak very good Japanese on top of their native language but even more languages, a undisputable proof of their ability for their jobs!
They have initiated their own grand three and a half year project at 47 Farms to examine Japanese agriculture through interviews and working farm stays with farmers in each of Japan`s 47 prefectural entities!
Read more HERE, it is certainly worth a very long look!
To cut a story short they contacted me as they wanted to discover what Shizuoka Farms had in store for them!
Actually Shizuoka does have a lot, but to make easier for their first visit I and a staff at M2 labo decided to take them to new but already very influential Organic Farm in Shizuoka City and Prefecture called Shizen No Chikara Farm.

Organic Tomatoes!

Shizen No Chikara Farm has plots in Sena, Shimo, Nippon Daira and many others in the Prefecture.
We took them to Sena where the man in charge, Syunsuke Sano/佐野俊介 was kind enough to explain his crafts and answer quite a few very pointed questions from our lady guests!

All the cultivation is organic in the strict sense with no insecticides, or any agrichemicals.
The insects are fought off with natural repellents concocted by the farmers, catch fly sticky tapes or with natural enemies such as ladybugs!

Temperature and humidity are constantly checked and monitored!

For the moment they grow five varieties of tomatoes there!

These will go to the top restaurants in the Prefecture!

Now, Shizen No Chikara succeeded a very difficult organic cultivation at their first attempt: strawberries!

The strawberries are not allowed to come in contact with the floor or soil!
No need to mention this is all daily back-breaking work!

The greenhouse has its own beehive!

Even the beehive is kept super clean!

The bees are vital for a regular pollination and beautiful berries!

Organic mini daikon!

We then proceeded to the plot in Shimo to have a look at the their root and leaf vegetables!

Row of mini daikons!

Komatsuna left to look after their harvested rows!

Hosonegi/scallions/mini leeks!

Leeks are great to fight common colds!

Big white daikons!

Japanese gastronomy wouldn’t exist without these!

Beautiful radishes and turnips just harvested!

The same in their rows!

This visit was all too short for my own satisfaction and I already have invited our sweet visitors to come again as soon as possible!
I’m already planning visits to Numazu and Fujinomiya Cities!
Our two ladies are not only lovers of agriculture but also gastronomes. I have a few breweries and izakayas in mind for them!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Oden, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Oden Fair Starting Tomorrow!

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One of the most celebrated traditional gastronomic events in Shizuoka City (and Japan), the Shizuoka (Shizooka in local dialect) Oden Fair will be held from Friday, February 10th to Sunday, February 12th!

The event has expanded and will be held in five different locales:
-Aoi Square/青スクエアAoba Park/青葉公園・青葉シンボルロード
Time: 11:00~20:00

-Gofuku Cho Doori/呉服町通り/Shichiken-cho Doori/七間町通り and Koya Machi/紺屋町
Time: 11:00~17:00

Many shops, restaurants and izakayas from Shizuoka will sell Shizuoka-Style Oden and more shops from other parts of Japan and even a few foreign restaurants will be doing the same in Aoba Park and Aoi Square.

One the other hand, more shops from Shizuoka will sell Shizuoka-Style oden, and more shops from other areas of Shizuoka Prefecture will serve local specialties in Shichiken-cho., Gofuku Cho and Koya Machi.

Do come early as it promises to be very busy and crazy like in precedent years (and probably more! LOL).

Check the official Japanese HOMEPAGE!

Reports coming soon, of course!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, 野菜, 観光, 農業, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Kitayama Organic Farm: Great Chefs meet Great Farmers in Fujinomiya City!

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Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀 of Nori in Fujieda City, Tooru Arima/有馬亨 of Pissenlit in Shizuoka City and the Hirakakis, Masaaki and Kiko/平垣正明・紀子 at Kitayama Organic Farm/北山農園 in Fujinomiya City!

Today I finally had the honor and pleasure to introduce two of the very top chefs in Shizuoka Prefecture, namely Fuminori Nishitani/藤谷文紀 of Nori in Fujieda City and Tooru Arima/有馬亨 of Pissenlit in Shizuoka City to the Hirakakis, Masaaki and Kiko/正明・紀子, owners and producers at Kitayama Organic Farm/北山農園 in Fujinomiya City!
This had been long in the offing and the three of us decided to drive this Tuesday all the way from Shizuoka City to Fujinomiya City at the very foot of Mount Fuji to visit the Organic Farm of the Kitayamas not only for a formal meeting but also to establish a gastronomic event to take place in the very near future!

The Hirakakis have refurbished this ancient farmhouse on their own!
Both were professional photographers before deciding to venture in organic farming!

Pure water gushing down the slopes of Mount Fuji is one reason why Fujinomiya City is so celebrated for its superlative agriculture!

Having gone through the necessary introductions I made myself scarce after a while to let them discuss their plans.
The two chefs had struck on the idea of a collaboration dinner at Restaurant Pissenlit on the 10th of March based on the vegetables grown by the Kitayamas whose merits I had praised for some time.

Some of their vegetables on the table around which they were sitting…

Delicious pickles from the same vegetables.
Sorry for the fuzzy pictures but it was very dark inside the farmhouse!

More pickles…

While they were deep in talks I took a peek inside a greenhouse behind the farmhouse.
What are these?

All kinds of sliced radishes and turnips left to dry!

Swiss chards!

I came back to find them snacking on dried sweet potatoes!

Artichokes that will be harvested beginning of next summer!

Time had finally come to make a grand tour of the 3 ha where the Kitayamas grow more than 190 varieties of organic vegetables at different times of the year!

Golden carrot!

Burgundy carrot!

Cute orange carrot!

Purple daikon field!

The purple daikon!

To be frank, there were so many kinds I didn’t have the time to write down their names! Shall we call these mini thread purple and white daikon?

Komatsuna!

Romanesco broccoli!

Red daikon field!

Organic cabbages!

Organic red cabbages!

Shimonita leeks field!

Highly valued variety of leek in Japan!

Some of the beauties I took back home!

Looking forward to visiting the Kitayamas again next spring!

KITAYAMA ORGANIC FARM

Masaaki and Kiko Hirakaki
418-0112 Fujinomiya Shi, Kitayama, 3102
Tel./Fax: 0544-25-2795
Mobile phone: 090-2261-8821
HOMEPAGE
Private orders welcome over the phone!

PISSENLIT

420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

NORI

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

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

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

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Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities: Very clean. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A true cafe where to relax and enjoy a good light meal any time of the day.

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

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

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

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, Dessert, 野菜, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Gastronomes, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Pizza, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Tourism, vegetables

Shizuoka Italian Restaurants Top Ranking! (As of Beginning of 2012)

4 Comments

1) NORI

Service: Very friendly and relaxed. Very intelligent explanations and presentations.
Equipment: Great general cleanliness in a beautifully decorated house. Superb washroom
Prices: Very reasonable considering the extravagant quality.
Strong points: A great accent on local products both from the land and the sea. Gastronomic Italian-style cuisine with a constant research on new products and methods. Excellent wine list. Superb grappa.

NORI
426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

——————————-

2 SOLIO

Service: Pro and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness and superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Fresh local ingredients whenever possible. Both traditional and inventive Italian cuisine. Good wine list at moderate prices. Open late!

SOLOIO
420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 9-7, Kita, 1
Tel./fax: 054-260-4637
Business hours: 16:00~24:00
Closed on Monday
Credit cards OK
Private parties welcome!
Smoking allowed BUT Non-smoking until 20:00 everyday!

———————————-

3) ORTA RISTORANTE

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Superb cleanliness through and through and beautiful washroom.
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Authentic Northern Italian Gastronomy. Good wine list. Very fresh ingredients, local whenever possible

ORTA RISTORANTE
Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Banya, 675, 2F
tel. & Fax: 053-455-0321
Business hours: 11:30~14:, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays
HOMEPAGECredit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

———————————
4) AQUAVITE

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable to expensive.
Strong points: Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

————————–

5) CONTORNO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: great cleanliness overall
Prices: reasonable.
Strong points: Many local products be they from the land or the sea. Organic vegetables. Car park.

SEE MAP

CONTORNO
421-0122, Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 5-1-10, Sunrise Mochimune (5 minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station. Second stop after Shizuoka)
Tel.: 054-2565877
Business hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~21:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

美食, Desserts, 野菜, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fujieda City, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Italian Gastronomy: Shizuoka Products Feast at NORI in Fujieda City!

4 Comments

Salad of Sayori/針魚/Japanese Halfbeak in Champagne Vinaigrette and Shizuoka Vegetables!

Service: Very friendly and relaxed. Very intelligent explanations and presentations.
Equipment: Great general cleanliness in a beautifully decorated house. Superb washroom
Prices: Very reasonable considering the extravagant quality.
Strong points: A great accent on local products both from the land and the sea. Gastronomic Italian-style cuisine with a constant research on new products and methods. Excellent wine list. Superb grappa.

I’m not afraid to aver that NORI in Fujieda City is the best Italian restaurant in Shizuoka Prefecture, and I’m certainly not the only person to venture in such a declaration!

Fuminori and Eri Nishitani/西谷文紀砥英里御夫妻!

After years in Italy honing his talents, Fuminori Nishitani opened his Restaurant NORI in Fujieda City completely off the beaten tracks inside a splendid house that his mother originally used an atelier on October 1st 2003 in the company of his wife, Eri, who looks after the dining room/hall in spite of a growing family.

The main dining room sits up to 20 guests at tables while a side room can sit small parties as well one other room with Japanese style seating.
Incidentally you are asked to take your shoes off to wear comfortable slippers and the whole place is absolutely non-smoking!

A bulletin informs all guests of coming events in a simple manner.

The decoration and furniture are certainly worth a second and third look for its beautiful combination of many genres!

Even the layout of the tables reflects a sweet marriage of cultures!

If you sit at the right table you can see the Chef at work in the distant kitchen!

The “official wine list”!

An excellent wine list is on offer but bear in mind there are many more nectars stashed away for your asking!

The menu of the night!

Whereas at lunch time you do not need to reserve (but play safe by calling beforehand!) dinner has to be reserved over the phone.
You will be asked to propose your own budget and the Chef will prepare a menu accordingly!
If you ask a few days in advance you can also arrange for specialties of your liking with the Chef.
You will find a personal menu card waiting for you beside your plate for you to take back home with notes you can write on as each dish is carefully explained to you!

Arigatou/Thank you! design on your Japanese-style paper tablecloth!

Here is the wine we ordered:
Maurus 207, Vie de Romans, Merlot Grapes in Piemonte!
Solid but very smooth and fruity!

Foie gras crostini!

As a rule, I do not mention prices, but this is an exceptional case: I had reserved a dinner according to a budget of 7,000 yen per person (drinks not included), that is, 70 Euros or nearly 90 US$, to show you the great value!
The above foie gras crostini was not mentioned on the menu card!

Salad of Sayori/針魚/Japanese Halfbeak in Champagne Vinaigrette and Shizuoka Vegetables!
Sayori or halfbeak is a favorite at sushi restaurants. They are in their best season right now in the Suruga Bay bathing our shores!
That particular fish was caught in Sagami/相模.

The fish was served as a variant of carpaccio with a succulent Champagne vinaigrette and chrysanthememum petals.
The pearl tomatoes are grown by Mr. Suzuki in Iwata City while all the other vegetables come from the Farm of Mr. Iguchi in Fujieda City!

Home-baked soft walnut bread!

Home-baked Shizuoka green tea bread!

A potage made with “uangi imo” from Hamamatsu City!
Unagi imo is a very sweet kind of sweet potato/satsuma imo. No sugar was added in spite of its incredible sweetness! A discovery!

“Aburi Anago no Spaghetti, Yuzu Koshio Fuuaji”/炙り穴子スパゲッティ柚子胡椒風味

Capellini-style spaghetti with conger eel seasoned with yuzu koshio/lime pepper sauce!

The leaf vegetable on top of the conger eel (very famous product of Western Shizuoka!) is urui/うるい/Hosta Montana, a kind of wild mountain vegetable!

Whole wheat garganerri with gibier sauce!
Unfortunately the ingredients in the game sauce were a secret but I suspect that wild boar and venison were involved…

Great parmesan shaved on top!

Chef Nishitani brought this contraption from Italy to make his own garganerri!

Ezo Shika Venison from Hokkaido with a symphony of Shizuoka vegetables!
For once, a product not from Shizuoka Prefecture but the vegetables were proud to contribute!

The “ezo shika/蝦夷鹿 venison!

And the superlative vegetables!

Kuri to Younashi No Mousse/Chestnuts and pear Mousse!

And it was finally time for desserts!
The Missus was served (the desserts will be different!) the above Mousse made from chestnuts and pears!

For a side view!

I ate half of that waffle!

Mikan/oranges Mousse and Ivoire Chocoltes tiles for my own dessert/dolce!

From another angle!

A nice little discovery inside!
I know a lot of people who would visit the place just for its dolce!

Saint Valentine Day is around the corner!
Now, what do these truffles made of unagi imo and chocolate hide inside?

Houji Tea and Green Matcha Tea mousse!

And coffee is served the right way!

Naturally savors and taste were absolutely mind-rocking! I hope the above pictures will give you a good idea of what to expect!
Actually I’ll be guiding Chef Nishitani in an enormous organic vegetable farm in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji next week (report in the offing, of course!)!

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Cakes, 美食, Dessert, 金柑, 観光, 農業, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Kumquat, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shizuoka Dessert: Kumquat Cakes at Aquavite & Pissenlit!

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Kumquat tart and Tiramisu as served to the Missus at Aquavite!

Kumquat is kinkan/金柑/”Golden Citrus” in Japanese and it is a major crop in Shizuoka Prefecture. Some are even grown organically!
Just walk in Shizuoka City and you will discover them in many gardens where they are in full season right now!
People eat them under many guises from candied fruit to cakes and even fruit cocktails!
Needless to say that many restaurants vie for fame with cakes created with them!
Here are two creations I just had the pleasure to savor in Shizuoka City:

Italian Cuisine: Kumquat Tart and Tiramisu in Aquavite!

Mine was the same as the Missus’ but presented in a “manly” way! LOL
Both were decorated with cｈocolate, raspberry, vanilla creams and cocoa powder!

Kumquats are a bit of a bother to prepare.
They must first be washed, then cut in two to get rid of their seeds.
Next they need to be lightly boiled and then candied in sugar, alcohol and what else.
Only then can you include them into succulents tarts!

I do not need to introduce tiramisu made by Chef Masaru Aoki/青木勝 as it has become the reference in our city!
They make the perfect marriage, either savoring it separately or topping the tart with some on your fork (or spoon!)!

French Cuisine: Kumquat Pound Cake and Black Tea Sorbet at Pissenlit!

Chef Touru Arima/有馬亨 decorated his creation with raspberry and vanilla creams as well as local strawberry and organic mint leaves!

This pound cake must have required quite some preparation with the inclusion of finely chopped candied kumquats!
The kumquats were grown in Mariko, Ｓhizuoka City, an area also famous for its black tea where it was first planted in Japan back in the 19th Century!

Attention to details! You just don’t know where to start from!
I did savor the candied kumquat first as I didn’t trust my sense of balance!
After that it was an exquisite exercise in demolition!

Black tea sorbet made for another perfect marriage with the pound cake, although I tended to eat it separately.
It was a pleasure later to scoop it carefully with whatever was left on the plate! LOL

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable to expensive.
Strong points: Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people
—————————–
PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

Service: Excellent and very friendly.
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (mouthwash and toothpicks provided!)!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive, very good value.
Strong points: Interesting wine list. Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables and Shizuoka-bred meat
—————————–

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles
With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

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

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

Jams with Shizuoka Products at Pissenlit!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles
With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles
With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chef Arima in his kitchen!

The chocolate before the cut!

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

The dark chocolate covered with fine green tea powder.

The white chocolate covered with houji tea.

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

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

PISSENLIT
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 2-3-4
Tel.: 054-270-8768
Fax: 054-627-3868
Business hours: 11:30~14:30; 17:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evening
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
E-Mail: pissenlit2008@ybb.ne.jp
Credit Cards OK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Five Euro Food by Charles
With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

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