Tag Archives: Restaurant

Bar, Mochimune, Open hamburgers, Restaurants, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

American Bar Restaurant: Lunch at Paradiso in Minato Yokocho, Mochimune, Shizuoka Ciy!

March 22, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Minato Yokocho front!

Service: kind and attentive if a bit shy (at first!)
Equipment & facilities: overall very clean. Shared but very clean and complete washroom.
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Great open hamburgers (“hambaagu” in Japanese!). Craft beers (although they tend to disappear quickly!)

Picture of the old Minato Yokocho!

Some time ago, CSA Real estate Co., actually based in Mochimune, among other projects took on to renew completely the old derelict Minato/harbor Yokocho/Alley to invite existing and new tenants to provide a much needed food and drinks site to the ever increasing number of tourists. Moreover, since bathers are rarer and rarer on the beach most shacks and bars have disappeared from the sea front it has become a natural spot to patronize as it caters for so many tastes and priorities!
I have already visited and written about a few places and will continue for some time!

This time I visited Paradiso!

Take your time and have a good look at the menu boards outside since it includes good pictures!
Lunch sets are a good bet and very reasonable!

Very simple but very clean settings including seats at tables and counter bar!

Craft beers on offer but they tend to change and disappear quickly! LOL
Night owls will find it very practical, too!

It was our first visit and that at lunch so we opted for almost the same set lunch!
Above is the Missus’ order: Wagyu (yes, you read it!) hambaaguu (Japanese style open hamburger)!
Ridiculously reasonable price at 1080 yen!

My own version!

But with two deep-fried prawns! For 1380 yen!

But don’t overlook the Kuroge/black hair wagyu gyusuji/tendon curry, the tako/octopus rice and fried food set lunch including prawns, oysters and fish! All accompanied with a small salad!

Can you guess what I will have next time? LOL

PARADISO

〒421-0122 shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 2-17-2, inside Minato Yokocho
Tel.: 090-5038-3479
Opening hours: 11:00~12:00, 17:00~22:00, closed on Mondays
Credit cards ok

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rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Bar, Mochimune, Restaurant, Sea Zoo, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Hawaiian Bar Restaurant: Lunch at Sea Zoo in Minato Yokocho, Mochimune, Shizuoka Ciy!

March 22, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Minato Yokocho front!

Service: kind and attentive if a bit shy (at first!)
Equipment & facilities: overall very clean. Shared but very clean and complete washroom.
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Hawaiian gastronomy, international gastronomy, craft beers.

Picture of the old Minato Yokocho!

This time I visited Sea Zoo!

I classified it as a Hawaiian bar restaurant, but I could have followed their own title of “Healthy Dining and Bar”!
And thanks to the new concept it is open all year round!

When open it has all kinds of board menu outside to peruse before entering!

Not only food for lunch and dinner but drinks of all kinds all day long!

Although it is also open in winter it definitely has a summer flavor about it!

And do not forget this also a bar! LOL

Definitely the place for craft beer lovers although all kinds of drinks are on offer!

Even at lunch I would not pass the opportunity to enjoy a tasty craft beer!

A la carte food changing all the time!

But the lunch sets are not only well above average but also so reasonably priced!

Set lunches are served with a “mini salad” which has not nothing “mini” about it!

Italian organic pasta in Peperocino style with sardine whiting/shirasu from Mochimune!

Healthy (no oil or water used!) coconuts chicken curry!

No risk of getting fat here, that is if you do not abuse the booze! LOL
But definitely a good bet anytime you visit Mochimune1

SEA ZOO

〒421-0122 shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 2-17-2, inside Minato Yokocho
Tel.: 090-4186-3737
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~?. Better phone first as holidays are irregular!
Cash only

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Cakes, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka City, Uncategorized, Vegan Dessert, Vegan Gastronomy, Vegan Restaurant

Vegan Cakes at LOCOMANI in Shizuoka City!

November 30, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly although a bit shy!
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Inventive vegan menus. Healthy rice flour cakes.Mainly local products.

The other day I decided to visit my good friends at LOLCOMANI in Shizuoka City for coffee and cakes in the afternoon as lunches are always impossibly crowded, especially with ladies wishing for a healthy lunch offered by this reference vegan restaurant (I am no vegan, but I can appreciate from time to time, and it is always a pleasure to introduce it to my vegan friends!).
As for the cakes they tend to vary with the seasons and ingredients available, so make a point to check them beforehand.
If you cannot read the Japanese menu the owner’s wife will make it her pleasure to explain it in simple English!
As for the drink menu there is plenty to choose from the organic coffees and tea and the home-made vegan fruit drinks!

Chocolate cake!
All cakes are basically made with rice flour in case of some clients being wheat flour allergic!

For a better view with its soymilk cream and sweet nuts sauce!

Organic Coffee!
Actually LOCOMANI’s teas and coffees are well above average, although a bit weak for some, but well-balanced and tasty!

Half cakes set!
LOCMANI have a policy to have their clients taste as many of their cakes as possible. So instead of ordering a full serving of one cake, you can combine two half servings for better enjoyment!

Chiffon cake!

Fruit cake!

For vegans and others with a sweet tooth but mindful of their health!

LOCOMANI
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 1-10-6
Tel.: 054-260-6622
Opening hours 11:30~18:00 (11:30~15:00 0n Sundays)
Closed every Wednesday and one Monday
HOMEPAGE/BLOG (Japanese)
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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, 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, 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,

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-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: 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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Restaurant, sashimi, Shimizu Fissh Market, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, sushi, Sushi restaurants.

Sushi and Sashimi Lunch at Maguro Ichigo In Shimizu Fish Market, Shizuoka City!

October 12, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but very kind
Equipment and facilities: Overall very clean. Shared bathroom, old but clean.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: first class fish and seafood at very reasonable prices. Super fresh. Serves both raw and cooked fish!

The locals know it well but tourists do not seem to know yet the value of visiting a local fish market to enjoy super fresh fish and seafood at very reasonable prices all in an authentic atmosphere away form mannerisms and snobbery downtown.
In Shizuoka City the Shimizu Fish Market is the place! Very easy to find: get off at Shimizu JR Railway Station turn right in the direction of the harbor and use the overhang passage. Turn left to cross the road and go gown at the end. The fish market is two minutes away on foot on your right!

This particular fish market is known all over Japan for its tuna as this the largest tuna unloading harbor in Japan!
I do have to visit the place regularly for business or otherwise and my favorite restaurant is Maguro Ichigo/まぐろ一期!
Take your time to check the dish and cuisine models exhibited outside! They also have a menu in English on request!
It is a great place to visit alone or with family as they also serve scrumptious cooked food for people and especially children who don’t like raw food! Incidentally they offer a set for children, too!

I chose a set consisting of a tuna/maguro sushi bowl topped with all kinds of tuna and a sakuraebi kakiage/cherry shrimps fritter/ a local specialty with miso soup and pickles!

The maguro sushi bowl was topped with slices of akami/lean tuna, chutoro/semi fat tuna and negitoro/scraped tuna with pickled ginger! As for the price, unbeatable!

The cherry shrimps fritter!

My friend had a different set including a small sashimi plate!

A rarity in Japan: Simmered tuna tail!

It is only a small sample of the food and dishes available!
Come as a group and taste as many dishes as possible!

MAGURO ICHIGO/まぐろ一期
424-0823 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Shimazaki Cho, 149, Shimizu Fish Market, 1F
Opening hours: 9:30~17:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only

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Craft Beers and Tex Mex Gastronomy at Golden Nectar in Shizuoka City!

June 23, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom.
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Craft beers! Tex Mex gastronomy. Craft beer tasting sets/

Golden Nectar has deservedly established its name in Shizuoka City for a couple of years now, and it is increasingly becoming busy especially on week ends be it sunny or rainy!
It consists of a high stool bar counter where you can see all the craft beers served on the tap. Bear in mind they change regularly! I would advise to try a full sample drinking set of them!

Check the list of the day!

Tables are available for small groups and customers wanting more comfort or less exposure!

Now, it is not all craft beers on the tap but there are plenty of other American craft beers in bottles and cans inside the refrigerated display near the entrance! Choose your bottle or can and it will be served in glasses by the staff!. Pictures are welcome!

North Coast Brewing Acme IPA!

Aurora Koppyalis from San Diego!

Hazy Little Thing IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing!

Amarilla Gorilla IPA by Smog City Brewery!

Deftones Phantm Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery!

Another IPA by Smog City Brewing!

now, look at the menus! Plenty of salads for the health conscious!

My personal favorite, Texas caviar carefully made with local fresh vegetables and buritos!

As for food, I do have a suggestion: first go to loaded fries and choose the cheesy fries!

Scrumptious fries by themselves,…

But order them together with fish fritters!

And you have a Tex Mex fish and chips!

Excellent fried fish on its own, actually!
But check the rest of the menu!
Always something to discover!

GOLDEN NECTAR

420^0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogaecho, 2-16 (along the north side of Aoba Park Street/Aoba Kouen Doori!)
Tel.: 054-275-2759
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK
WEBSITE
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Bar, Craft beers, Restaurants, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

American Gastronomy and Craft Beers at “12” in Shizuoka City!

March 24, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment: Spotless clean. Excellent washroom. Non smoking
Prices: Slighly expensive
Strong Points: American craft beers. Excellent bar food. Beers regularly changed. Large live sports screens.

“12” is an unusual name for a bar or restaurant. The owner, a fan of all sports in Seattle, USA, be they the Seattle Supersonics basketball tea, the Seattle Seahawks American football team or the Seattle Mariners baseball team, has taken a liking for their number “12” jerseys, hence the name of the stablishment. Incidentally all the games of these teams can be viewed live or later on no less than three big screens.
The whole design was conceived by American Shizuoka City resident, Derrek Buston, who has actually just opened his own bar/brewery, West Coast Brewery, in Mochimune, and some of his brews will be served on the tap at “12” from June!

It is located just next to the side entrance torii/sacred gate of Ogushi Shrine. You can surmise that all drinkers are automatically blessed! LOL

The food there, notwithstanding their common household names, is definitely of a better variety for all tastes!
My favorite is the fish and chips (Brirish food for you, but better than in Great Britain!)!

Made with fresh cod and fried on order!

Served with spicy French fries (they are Belgian!) fried on order and homemade coleslaw!

And authentic red wine vinegar!

For the moment all craft beers on the tap or in cans afrom mainly Seattle and its surroundings but sometimes from other places such as Wyoming!
There ar nine craft beers served on the tap and regularly changed. And fully described on the menu!
I actually have a liking for their canned beers and ciders as there are so many to explore!

Incidentally, vegetarians and vegans shouldn’t need worry as they have a beautiful organic salad on the menu for you!

To be continued, of course!

“12”

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamchi, 7-14, 1F (next to Ogushi Shrine)
Tel.: 054-204-2707
Opening hurs: 16:00=24:00
Closed on Mondays
Homepage
facebook: twelveshzuoka.com
Instagram: tewlve_shizuoka
Credit cards OK
Private parties possible

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Dinner at Numazu Uogashi Nagare Sushi, Shizuoka Parche Restaurant

March 21, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but kind and attentive
Equipment: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom. Entirely non-smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Very fresh fish, mainly local. Excellent cooked fish and seafood. many local sake!

Numazu Uogashi restaurants are so called because they originate from a company based in Nymazu City in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture which is connected with the fishing harbour and its trade.
This very placelocated on the first floor of Parche Department Store (Inside Shizuoka JR Station) just in front of Associa Hotel used to be a conveyor-style sushi restaurant but it was recencently converted into a “nagare Sushi restaurant”, a system invented by this very company!

Each table or seat has its own computer panel to choose and order food from. You can browse the whole at ease, choose or modify your order until you confirm it. Then it will reach you through a special rolling floor to be diverted at the last second to your seat only!

That is what we ordered on that particular day!
Katsuo/bonito sashimi!

Steamed oysters! Enormous!

They also serve izakaya style dishes: tukune/minced chicken brochettes!

One of the evry good local sake after the initial beer! They also have wine on the menu!

Enormous multiple seafood gunkan sushi!

Closer view!

Deep-fried globe fish on the bone! To eat with your fingers!

Stir-fried tuna!

Local seafood sushi nigiri set!

And asari/cockles miso soup to washi all down!
Perfect for limited purses!

Numazu Uogashi Nagare Sushi, Shizuoka Parche Restaurant

420-0551 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane Cho, 49, Parche, 1F, Shizuoka JR Station
Tel.: 054-251-6116
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Credit cards OK

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French Cuisine, Fusion Cuisine, Kyoto, Restaurant

Gastronomic Destinations: Dinner at Ikariya Shokudou in Kyoto!

September 20, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Smiling and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: overall very clean. Small but excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable (for Kyoto)
Strong points: French and fusion bistro cuisine with a Japanese accent. Veranda in summer overlooking Kamo River

Veranda seating.

We had been wishing to visit Ikariya Shokudou on our previous trips to Kyoto but every time it was full. At long last we somehow managed to get a table on the veranda by coming a bit later than usual on a week day

They classify themselves as a bistro and I agree although I would prefer to say they are a typical Kyoto fusion bistro!

Their bilingual menu is easy to read and in any case like in many establishments in that city the staff speaks enough English to make all customers comfortable!

And they do have a reasonably-priced wine list!
naturally they cater for all kinds of drinks!

So, what did we have?

Seasonal white-flesh fish carpacccio!

Light and delicious five-mushroom terrine!

Turbo shellfish gratin!

Succulent duck confit and French lentils!

Peperone scampi pasta!

A very reliable address in a too often overvalued city!

IKARIYA SHOKUDOU

〒600-8012 kyoto Fu, Kyoto City, Shimohara Ku, Mokuya Cho, Kuribashi Sagaru, Saito Cho, 138-2
〒600-8012 京都府京都市下京区木屋町団栗橋下ル斎藤町138-2
Google map
tel.: 075-276-2067
Opening hours: 17:00~24:00, Limited lunch sets on Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays
Reservations highly recommended
Credit cards OK

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Okonomiyaki, Restaurant, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

“Hiroshima Yaki” Okonomiyaki at Okonomiyaki Sakurai in Shimada City!

August 28, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but kind and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Old-style basic Japanese but very clean overall. Non smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Okonomiyaki in many forms, Yakisoba, take-outs

Okonomiyaki Sakurai is a Kansai-Style (Western Japan) restaurant with a history spanning over more than 40 years where his original chef/owner is still officiating although his son Ryuutarou Sakurai/桜井竜太郎さん is looking after the business.

The interior is still very much reminiscent of After War Japan although it is non smoking!

You can either sit at a table or on the tatami especially if you are with company but I do prefer to sit at the counter where I can observe all the action!

Okonomiyaki after their first stage of cooking!
Very big portions!

Yakisoba!
Also big portions!

Okonomiyaki ready to be served!

Drinks of all kinds, alcoholic or soft are available.
I had a sake from Okayama Prefecture!

My order: Hiroshima Yaki Okonomiyaki!
Although lighter than the Osaka-style okonomiyaki, it was still bigger than I thought!

Its bottom consists of thin pork slices topped with yakisoba.

It is topped with a thin layer of batter and a thin layer of omelet!

And the top is pasted with sauce, mayonnaise and green powder with a little pickled ginger on the side!
A meal enough for two!

I will to visit the place with company next time! LOL

OKONOMIYAKI SAKURAI/お好み焼桜井

Shimada City, Ougi Cho, 11-14
Tel.: 0547-37-6777
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 16:30~20:30. 11:30~20:00 on Sundays
Closed on Wednesdays
Take-outs can be ordered on the phone
Parties welcome!

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Japanese Restaurant: Kappa Dokiya In Shizuoka City!

July 29, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but smiling and very attentive
Equipment & facilities: spotless clean. Superb wasroom. Entirely Non-smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: donburi lunch sets! Traditional Japanese cuisine

No, “kappa dokiya” has nothing Turkish about its name!
“Kappa” stands for “河童/Water Goblin” and “Dokiya/土器屋” means “Potter”!

This popular Japanese restaurant used to be located in Shimizu Ku before it moved to “Gofuku-Cho, just behind the City Hall in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City a few years ago.
It is very popular, especially the lunch crowds, but its interior is comfortable enough, even when crowded. If you are on your own, take a seat at the counter!

The menu, although written in English only is easy enough to understand thanks to the photographs!

And if you are hungry, move to the right of the menu for a full set at a very reasonable price!

But there many other interesting offerings!

And bear in mind that the menu changes every day!

For that particular visit the Dragon ordered the Fresh Fish Sashimi Donburi Set!

Topped with no less than 7 different ingredients including tuna and sweet prawns!

Served with miso soup, tempura, pickles and cooked seawweed!

And some cute tempura!

As for me I ordered the Tempura Donburi Lunch Set!

Very generous portions including prawns, fish and vegetables!

Served with some succulent seasonal sashimi!

With miso soup and cooked seaweed!

Very satisfying!

KAPPADOKIYA/河童土器屋

420-0031 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-5-3
Tel.: 054-252-8232
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 11:00~21:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays
Closed on Monday (next day if Monday is a National Holiday
Cash only

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Chinese Cuisine, Hamamatsu City, Japan, Restaurant, Shizuoka Prefecture, Wine Bar

Gastronomic Wine Bar: “BEBER” in Hamamatsu City!

July 25, 2016 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Smiling, friendly and very attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Overall spotless clean. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable~a little expensive
Strong points International wine list. Japanese whiskeys including one from Shizuoka Prefecture. High standard Chinese cuisine. Bistro gastronomy

With the ever increasing number of visitors, the City of Hamamatsu City is quickly changing and you do need local friends’ help to keep abreast of the new developments!
One such establishment is BEBER which opened only a few weeks ago!
Incidentally “beber” in Portuguese means “drink”!

A good friend, himself restaurateur, took us there last Thursday just before it got crowded by all kinds of customers, some of them really influential citizens in Hamamatsu City.
It does not prevent the Master of the Place, Mr. Toshio Iguchi/井口敏郎さん, to be equally attentive and welcoming to all his customers, whatever the status!

As it is first of all a wine bar, it does have a fine international list!
We started the celebrations with a “vino tinto” from Argentine, TERRAZAS de los Andes, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005!
Lots of red fruit! A discovery!
Have a good look at the drink menu as it also includes some fine whiskeys, even featuring “Fuji Sanroku” distilled in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

Chinese-style fresh salad!

Although they have all kinds of bistro favorites from terrine to foie gras, their chef is a talented Chinese Cuisine specialist whose creations are simply perfect with wines!

Juicy Xiaolongbao/小龍包!

A exquisite steamed dim sung with lettuce!

Cold spicy ramen!

The wine was quickly disappearing and we ordered this reliable Bourgogne Chardonnay (20139 by Jean Bouchard, not far from my very own birthplace!

Now, this deep-fried chicken in sweet and sour sauce was definitely way above average!

Talk about global gastronomy: Chinese-style fish and chips with cheese!
The British cannot come up with such a fine rendition!

A first but very short visit which will definitely warrant many more!

BEBER

430-0944 Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Ta Machi, 331-13
Tel: 053-452-5711
Opening hours: 18:00~last customer
Closed on Sunday
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK

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Peruvian Cuisine and Cheese at Fiesta Garcia Beer Bar & Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

June 17, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Ever-smiling and very social
Equipment & Facilities Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Peruvian traditional Cuisine. Home-made Peruvian Cheese. Craft beers.

Ima koko Building First Floor Alley in Shichiken Cho, Aoi ku, Shizuoka City is steadily filling up with cozy and small bars and restaurants!

The newest place to move in is “Fiesta Garcia” Beer Bar & Restaurante owned and managed by a Shizuoka City Peruvian citizen going by the name of Fredy Garcia!

A very open and welcoming place indeed!

A small corner of the Andean country!

A smiling skull is looking after you over a small counter!

The place is tiny and every available space is used!

Bottled craft beers from all over the world are in front (and behind) of you!

My beer for this (too short) first visit!

Do have a good look at the drink you!

And have an even longer look at food menu!
There are quite a few unusual things in wait for you!

Now, this is quite unusual, and would be anywhere in Japan because Fredy and his older brother make their own Peruvian-style queso/cheese in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Don’t worry, I will soon interview them at work at their dairy!
The above is fresh queso blanco, a bit similar to semi hard cottage cheese cut into wedges and pan-fried on a little oil and served with mayo sauce, hot mayo sauce and yuzu koshio!

And this is even better:
Top, left, queso blanco in queso fredo style/fresh cheese (the same as the fried one).
Top, right, manchego-style cheese processed in a different way and matured for some time.
Bottom left, queso albino where white wine was added to the milk when making the rice and later washed in red wine!
Bottom right, home semi-dried tomatoes!

The menu might be short, but it will give me plenty of reasons to come back and visit my new friend, Fredy Garcia!
Stay tuned!

FIESTA GARCIA Beer bar & Restaurante

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, Ima Koko Building, 1F
Tel.: 080-6924-3379
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00
15:00~22:00 (Sundays)
Closed on Tuesdays!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

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French Gastronomy: Dinner at KAWASAKI Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

June 22, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Pro and very friendly
Facilities & Equipment: Spotless clean. Superb “bilingual” washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Extensive use of local products, especially organic vegetables, game/gibier. Wines and local sake.

At long last I had the opportunity to re-visit KAWASAKI restaurant in Shizuoka City for a full dinner!
The restaurant is located along the Aoba Street in Aoi Ku on the second floor of a cute red-brick building!

You can’t miss it!

The entrance on the second floor!

Take your time and check this board past the entrance!

The specialties of the day!

Can you guess what it represents?

Home-cured meats and hams, including game/gibier!

Very decent and well-chosen wine list bu the glass or the bottle!

Some of the Top-class vegetables organically grown under Mount Fuji!

The restaurant holds seats at a counter and three tables. It is always a good idea to reserve in advance!

One can order a la carte but we opted for the “Menu Terroir” for 6,200 yen mainly dedicated to vegetables.
Two other set menus are available, a “Menu Saison” for 4,200 yen and a “Menu Degustation” for 8,000 yen (on reservation only)
As for lunch, 3 set menus at 1,200, 1,800 and 2,400 yen!

The first appetizer: wild venison rillettes on mushroom grown by Mr. Hasegawa in Fuji City!

The second appetizer!

Shellfish and burdock tart!!

The third appetizer!

Cauliflower Mousseline and broad beans in broad beans jelly!

The fourth appetizer!

Home-cured ham, wild duck and vegetables salad!

The fifth appetizer!

Chicken mousse filled zucchini flower!

Beautiful colors!

The vegetable dish!

All vegetables are locally grown (mainly Fujinomiya City), exclusively seasonal and organic!

Beautiful palette!

The main dish!

Veal raised at Okamura Farm in Fujinomiya City!

Once again mushrooms from Hasegawa Farm i Fuji City!

Pre-dessert: citruses in hibiscus (roselle) jelly!

The dessert!

Chocolate and walnut terrine and citruses sauce and jam!

Coffee and mignardises served as they should be!

See you there again for lunch!

KAWASAKI French Restaurant
Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki/川崎芳範さん

420-0034 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 1-8-5, BROOKLYN SQUARE 2F (Along Aoba Street just before junction with Showa Street)
Tel: 054-272-0066
Opening hours: 12:00~14:00, 18:00~22:30
Closed on Sundays and 3rd Monday of the month
Credit Cards OK
Private parties welcome
Entirely non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE
KAWASAKI Facebook
Chef Yoshinori Kawasaki facebook

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Soba, Buckwheat Noodles Restaurant: Soba Han in Shizuoka City!

May 14, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: very clean overall. Superb washroom! Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Organic Ju-wari (100%) buckwheat noodles. Duck cuisine. Sake list.

Soba Han Restaurant has many qualities and one of them is its location near the Toroiseki Ruins park and the Serizawa Keisuke Museum!
A great pace for a nice holiday!

A typical Japanese entrance!

The soba are 100% buckwheat flour milled on site!

One can choose to sit either at a table or on the tatami floor!

Have a good look at the wooden architecture!

Chef Taisuke Okitsu explains why the tenderness and taste of his duck is so important!

The buckwheat used in this restaurant was grown organically without any pesticides!

I ordered the “kamo Pon soba”!

The soupstock and seasoning for the soba!

The zaru-style cold buckwheat noodles!

A very appetizing meal!

Superb and so tender duck!

i promised my self to come back for dinner and check all these superb Shizuoka sake!

Dragon’s order: “ebiden mizore”!

Beautiful hot soba with shrimp tenpura and fresh vegetables!

Very thick and succulent soba yuu/soba soup!

See you there again for dinner soon!

SOBA HAN

422-8033 Shizuoka City, Suruga ku, Toro, 6-2-1
Tel.: 054-286-6333
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 17:00~21:30 (Last orders)
Closed on Tuesdays
Cards OK
Parking available
Entirely non-smoking!

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French gastronomy: Lunch at FIGARO Food & Wine in Shizuoka City!

March 4, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Shy but very friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. Entirely non smoking at lunch time!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: French bistro-style gastronomy. Reasonably-priced wine list.

Finally I found the time and opportunity to visit Figaro Food & Wine Restaurant established in Tokiwa Cho in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, by Aoba Park Street and the Tokiwa Garden and Fountain, an area increasingly getting fashionable with new small restaurants in a relatively open area of Shizuoka City!

It is actually Chef Toshiharu Matsuura/松浦敏春さん’s second venture who after a deserved break opened his new restaurant with Sommelier Yoshinori Shimizu/清水芳則さん last year in April.

They also provide a take-out menu for customers in a hurry or busy housewives/office ladies or whoever does not want to cook but wish to enjoy tasty delicatessen back home!

Although customers are proposed two different set menus there is plenty to choose from at dinner both from the carte and the day’s special. Actually the dinner menu will be totally revised next week, a good excuse for me to pay them a visit late in the evening next time!

Extremely clean and bright atmosphere!
You can either eat at the counter or away from the crowd in the room at the back!

A very reasonably-priced menu carte for lunch!

I opted for the boxed lunch!

It comes with a cup of hearty and healthy soup (the wine was a separate order!)!

Home-smoked duck, carrot salad, pate de campagne/pork terrine and greens!

Smoked salmon, pickled vegetables and seafood salad with French bread!

A French bistro classic: Petit sale stewed lamb and lentils! A little gem!

Scallops in cream sauce!

I decided to add a little extra order: dessert and grapefruit juice!

Caramel pound cake and vanilla ice cream!

The expresso was service but don’t tell anyone!

See you at dinner there next time!

FIGARO FOOD & WINE

Chef Toshiharu Matsuura/松浦敏春さん
Sommelier Yoshinori Shimizu/清水芳則さん
420-0034 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa cho, 2-4-5
Tel: 054-255-7430
Opening hours: 12:00~14:00, 16:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Prties welcome
Cards OK (dinner only)
Entirely non smoking at lunch!

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