Tag Archives: Shizuoka Prefecture

Beer Bar, Beer Brewery, Farment Co. Ltd, Fujinomiya City, Fujiyama Hunter's Beer Tap Room, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture Craft Beers

Fujiyama Hunter’s Beer Tap Room in Fujinomiya City!

March 11, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: shy but very kind and attentive if somewhat busy.
Equipment & facilities: overall very clean. Small but xcellent washroom.
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Craft Beers of course, including regular, limited and guest beers! Also great local wild game cuisine when available! Venison (wiid deer) jerky!

Fujinomiya City is already famed all over Japan for its four sake breweries and now it counts not but two craft beer breweries located on both side of Sengen Shrine! As for Fujiyama Hunter’s Beer Tap Room located behind Sengen Shrine it is the official tap room of Farment Co. Ltd as the brewery and tap room are separate!

Farment Co. Produces three regular craft beers under the name of Fujiyama Hunter Beer!

All COD/Cash on Delivery system!

As for the clientele of this particular tap room it is more local than others, probably due to its almost hidden away location, but very authentic in atmosphere. Interestingly enough it seems to be very popular with local ladies (of all ages! lol)!

Very proud of their craft beers! (I will come to that later!)

As it was my first visit I naturally ordered the reasonably price tasting set!

The taps!

Their pride and joy! Local game/venison and wild boar cuisine! Unfortunately I came pretty late on Sunday afternoon and everything had already been eaten!

I had to settle for simpler fare!

The rest of the menu!I noticed, because maybe it was Sunday, that everyone asked for something to eat!

The regular craft beers are available in bottles under the names of Oppa, Yunomura and Morinotane.
As for other regular and limited crafts beers, they are 8fr the moment!) Peace Tea, Iri Got, Zan, …

Cha Mugi and Yabusame! Very thankful for detailed explanations!

Meaning I will have to go there again soon!

FUJIYAMA HUNTER’S BEER TAP ROOM

418-0067 Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Miya Cho, 12-2, Ichhi Fuku Corpo 1F, behind Sengen Shrine
Tel.: 080-3303-0691
Opening hours: 13:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
GOOGLE MAP

Mother Company: FARMENT Co. Ltd
Te.: 0544-66-0399
Address: Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Ooshikakubo, 1428-1
WEBSITE

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Izakaya, Japanese Gastronomy, Maru Ryou, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Izakaya: Dinner at Maru Ryou in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

February 13, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

The first starters!

Service: A bit shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment and Facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong Points: Authentic izakaya cuisine. Nice list of sake and shochu. Accent on local products, especially seasonal fish.

Superb set of local fish sashimi (part 1)!

Shimizu Ku (formerly Shimizu City before its merger with Shizuoka City) has of late been witnessing a revival of its old quarters, what with the new influx of tourists and the modernization of the access to its fishing harbor!
Get off at Shimizu JR Station, turn on the left, get down the stairs, walk on the left across a small street and continue until you find a long covered arcade on your left.
This has become the location for new izakayas, shops and bars!
You will find Maru Ryou/まる両 easily enough!

Superb set of local fish sashimi (part 2)!

I had the pleasure to discover the place thanks to a friend who happens to be a true local of this part of the city!
As we share a taste of good local food and drinks, I was sure to come to the right place!
They do have a nice list of local sake in particular, and you must try the fish as this is a major fishing town in the whole of Japan!

Fresh raw shirasu/sardine whiting, a local specialty!

As a true Japanese izakaya they will also offer all kinds of cooked various ways!
Deep-fried octopus!

Japanese chicken brochettes/yakitori!

Back to fish with another loala fish: aji tataki/horse mackerel tartare! unbeatable frshness!

A specialty of the place, a bit out the ordinary: Unagi tamago donburi/ eel and egg bowl!

And to beat the cold outside before going home: Ochazuke/rice tea soup!

Can’t to go there again, alone or in good company, whatever the time of the year!

MARU RYOU
424-0816 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Masago Cho, 2-18
Tel.: 054-364-2733
Opening hours: 16:00~21:00
Closed on Sundays
GOOGLE MAP

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery Hikake Kyurei Jukusei Honjozo Genshu (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

February 12, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

I have said it time and again, when it comes to tasting local sake I often do it In La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City in the company of Hiromi Hasegawa as it is cheaper and certainly more entertaining! That is at least for only a part of the vast array of nectars being brewed in this Prefecture! LOL

This time I tasted a sake made by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City which comes with some long names to describe their brews:
Hikake (pasteurization) Kyurei (immediately refrigerated after pasteurization) Jyukusei (slowly matured) Honjozo Genshu (no water blending)!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice milled down to 70%
Yeast: Shizuoka SY-103
Alcohol: 18 degrees
Dryness: +1
Acidity: 1.4
Amino acids: 1.2
Bottled in 2018

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Pears, apples faint raisins.
Tasting: dry and fruity attack. Warms up back of the palate. Pears, apples. lingers for a while on the palate before disappearing on drier note.
Tends to become a little drier with food with dry raisins and nuts popping up.

Comments: very fine sake in spite of its comparatively low status.
Very easy to drink, notwithstanding the high alcohol contents.
More elegant than expected. Best drunk at room temperature.
A discovery! The more for it as it limited to only 500 bottles!
If you have a chance to find it, just grab it and keep it as long as you wish until a special occasion!
Suggested pairings: vegetables salads and marinades. Tempura.

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 12:00~18:00 on Sundays & National Holidays
FACEBOOK (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

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Cafe, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Lunch at ARMO CAFFE in Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku!

February 11, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very kind and smiling
Equipment and facilities: overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: tasty lunch sets. Informal cafe atmosphere

Armo Caffe along a main thoroughfare in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, is a bit out of the ordinary as it a cafe cobined with a high grade cycling shop!

A big car park being provided it is very popular not only with the locals, but cyclists and travelers of all fields!
The more for it has a very easy-goin, laid back atmosphere about it!

It directly communicates with a top class cycling shop!

A very cean place!

Have a close look at the shelf!

A bonus for customers in a hurry! Take-out menu!

Menu 1!

Menu 2!

Menu 3!
Bear in mind they change regularly, especially according to seasons and available products!

What my friend and I ordered!

ham, home-made bread, quiche, and so on!

A very original pizza (the vegetables are local!)!

I’m sure that sportsmen (it is located between IAI Nihondaira Stadium and S-Pulse Training Grounds!), bikers and ladies will love it!

ARMO CAFFEE
424-0902 Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Orido, 2 Chome-2
Opening hours: 1::00~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only
Tel.: 054-334-9393

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Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurant, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Italian Gastronomy: Dinner at Il Dritto in Shimada city!

December 2, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Kind, attentive and very informative
Equipment and facilities: Overall spotless clean. Superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: inventive modern Italian cuisine making use of many local products. Interesting and reasonable Italian wine list including wines from Kumamaoto Prefecture!
Doubles up a gastronomic bar in the evening!

Succulent and elegant Italian cheese amuse!

I have always thought that Shimada City deserved better when it came to food. They are already blessed with some of the best sake in Japan and when it comes o Japanese gastronomy they are blessed with a couple of very good restaurants/izakaya. But when it came to Western cuisine they definitely missed higher class Italian Restaurant.
Now, they have it with the arrival of Il Dritto a few months ago!

Check he specials of the day!

It is not only a restaurant but also a wine bar (with food if desired) at a small counter until last orders at 22:00!
Otherwise it does not sit so many guests,and I recommend to reserve in advance unless you want to try your luck at opening time at 18:00. As for the week ends it is definitely crowded!
This was our first visit so I don’t know what happens at lunch time on week ends but you expect crowds and single set menus!

As for the evenings it is real fun reading and choosing from the menu board!
Do take your time! You will discover a very interesting fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine definitely served in the Italian fashion, I would say high fashion!

I know some Italian friends who would be very intrigued and tempted by the “Aburi Ankimo/Hal grilled monkfish liver”
A real fusion creation using ankimo/monkfish liver first steamed the japanese way and then slghtly grilled served an Italian-concept fish sauce! Very, very unusual which the the creative talent of young owner chef Daisuke Hirabayashi

Of course the herb bread is exclusively home-baked!

Aburi/haf grilled Sanma/Pacific saury wits liver sauce and fine vegetables!

Another fine marriage of Japanese and Italian cuisine!
Pacific saury is a Japanese fish par excellence and again my Italian friends are in for another surprise!

Kumamomoto Prefecture Horsemeat Carpaccio!
As a frenchman I just couldn’t ignore that morsel! Mind you, my Italian friends will have a pleasure to dispute that!
Smiling Owner Sommelier Megumi Hirabayashi shy (Daisuke’s wife) actually hails from Kumamoto Prefecture and you can expect some rare wines from her own Prefecture!

Talking of wines we had this reasonably-priced and very fine Valpolicella!

We had a bit of a fight to choose either pasta or risotto for our visit, but I lost the jankenpon/stone paper scissors and we opted for this beautiful seafood pescatore linguine with prawns, squid, scallops and cockles!
Don’t have to mention the little ensuing fight! LOL

Consequently I was “allowed” to choose one of my favorites for the next dish: Roasted duck breast with red wine sauce and fine vegetables! A dish that has made the French and Italian friends forever! LOL

It was time for dessert, then? Then, what did I choose to satisfy my male chauvinistic preference?

Hazelnut Catarana!
Who said the Italian are limited when it come to dessert? So sweet! corny comment, sorry!)

My only regret? I could sample all the dishes!
But I will have my revenge soon!

IL DRITTO
Owner Chef: Daisuke Hirabayashi
Owner Sommelier: Megumi Hirabayashi

427-0022 Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimada City, Hontoori, 1-9-1,Marichi TAC 1F
Tel: 0547-330790
Opening hours:
Lunch 12:00~14:00 8 Saturdays and Sundays only)
Dinner: 18:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays and 4th Tuesday
Credit cards OK
GOOGLE

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Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese Restaurant, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba, Tempura

Soba, Tempura & Local Products at Yuriyama in Ikumi, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

November 30, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment: Overall very clean. excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Home-made soba/buckwheta noodles, tempura, and local farmers’ products

The other day a good friend of mine, Mayumi, owner of the Flower Shop Pepiement in Shimada City, was kind enough to drive (look at bus access below) drive me to an authentic local farmers restaurant and shop called Yamayuri/Mountain Lily up the road leading to Ikumi in the northern part of Shimada City. I already had the occasion to use this same bus twice up to its final stop and I would definitely suggest anyone to take and discover the true back country of japan with all kind of quaint sites!

The shop alone is worth the trip!
Better come early to pick the best choice of local seasonal vegetables and fruit!

And don’t miss all the home-made jams, preserves, pickles and discover the tastes of real rural Japan!

The restaurant is just left past the entrance!

Place the orders before entering the restaurant! Even you do not understand Japanese the menus are explained with pictures. Just point and pay beforehaand!

The local vegetables used in the dishes of the day!

The restaurant includes a soba classroom!
Even if you only wish to eat there taking pictures is welcome!

More pictures depicting the activities of the day inside the restaurant!

Hot soba!
Of course the soba are made afresh every day!

Cold soba!

I could not resist their gyoza!
Actually excellent and light and tasty!

Cold soba mounted with fresh hot tempura!

The tempura might look rough (don’t forget this farmer’s wife cooking!) but you can’t beat the taste of fresh local vegetables! A delicacy for vegetarians!

If you have a day off do combine the restaurant and shop with a slow trip in the midst of rural Japan!

Address: 427-0232 Shizuoka Prefefecture, Shimada City, Ikumi, 5202 (access by car or Ikumi Sem Midosawa Yuki/伊久身線御堂沢行き community bus line every hour from Shimada Station north exit. Get off at Yamayuri/やまゆり bus stop. First bus leaving at 7:00, last at 20:00, return bus first at 6:14, last at 18:54. Count 40 minutes trip. Only 8 buses a day!)
Tel.: 0547-39-0193
Opening hours: 10:00~16:00 (better check on the phone first!)
Closed on Thursdays and Fridays (open on Fridays in August)
Soba/Buckwheat noodles preparation classes, Table BBQ, Ground Golf, Farmer’s wife cooking class, etc.
GOOGLE MAP
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
FACEBOOK
CHECK IKUMI’S FACEBOOK!

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Izakaya, Japanese sake, Kasai, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yakitori

Yakitori and Kushiyaki, and Shizuoka Sake at KASAI in Shizuoka City!

November 13, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

SErvice: shy but very friendly and always ready to explain everything!
Equipment and facilities: ery clean overall. Excellent washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points high standard traditional yakitori and kushiyaki with some superb surprises in stock! Superb sake list especially from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Kasai has long been an establishment of reference in our City of Shizuoka and deservedly so!
Not only they serve traditional yakitori and kushiyaki of high quality but at reasonable prices but they also pride themselves as serving mainly many local products, be they meat or vegetables, and especially a wide range of great Shizuoka sake!
The other day I had the occasion to visit the place in the company of two Canadian/Quebecqois clients who were very keen to sample local gastronomy after a visit of our wasabi and tea fields! They certainly were not disappointed and surprised the owner with their ferocious appetite!

We started by tasting our first sake from Shizuoka Prefecture right away; Isojiman Ginjyo from Yaizu City!
Note that the sakes were chosen by the owner-chef!

Ｗe started with this set: asparagus and bacon rolls and “circles” of shiso and pork!

Also Isojiman from Yaizu City but this time a Junmai Ginjyo!

More asparagus and bacon rolls and large prawns rolled in thin slices of pork!

This came as a “service”, thin slices of new celery with cream sauce and shaved cheese!

And it was time to taste our sake: Garyubai Junmai Ginjyo by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

The next dish might surprise newcomers to Japan! Extra beef brochettes/kushiyaki, again asparagus rolled in bacon and Shizuoka Wagyu Beef brochettes!
Shizuoka Prefectures has no less than 12 state-labeled wagyu farms! No need to go anywhere else in Japan!

Some dishes just have to tried twice or more! LOL

Geso/squid tentacles, large prawn rolled in thin slices of pork and extra beef!

Two more Shizuoka wagyu brochettes and a specialty of the house: tomato and pork rolls!

Our final Shizuoka Prefecture sake: Karakaze karakuchi junmai ginjyo by Hana no Mai Brewery in Hamakita Ku, Hamamatsu City!

And for the finish Kasai-style exploded chicken wings yakitori!

The nly problem is that I will have to write another blog to introduce all the dishes and sakes we had not tasted!

KASAI420-0029 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tagiya cho, 29-24
Tel.: 054-273-3236
Opening hours: 17:30~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards ok
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
GOOGLE MAP

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Italian/French Gastronomy: Dinner at Kuraya Kato in Mochimune, Shizuoka City!

October 7, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very kind and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall extremely clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: superlative Italian/cuisine making use of many local products!
Short but excellent wine lists at reasonable prices.

The name Kuraya Kato means that the restaurant was created by his owner/che3f, Mr. Kato, inside an ancient “kura/Japanese storehouse”, probably one of the biggest still existing in Shizuoka Prefecture!
It is actually of rare dimensions and the inside is simply spacious and beautifully redecorated conserving as much its original cachet as possible with all amenities, all wood and white walls. A very special place whose atmosphere is enough to invite you ther anytime. But the cuisine is simply extravagant, although at very reasonable prices!

Great attention to the olive oil and butter!
The table service is beautiful in its seemingly simplicity and helps you relax from the very moment you sit down at your table.
Bear in mind that all meals must be reserved in advance, but the place will open even for a single guest!

So comfortable in soft light surrounded by real wood!

A lot of attention attached to small details, making the difference!
Menus (to be decided on the phone or else while reserving) are based on full courses at varying prices. We opted for the 6,000 yen dinner, but you can require for more, citing your likes or dislikes!

Since Mochimune is a noted fishing harbor famous all over Japan expect some great fish for the starters!

Excellent sparkling wine for the occasion!

All bread is baked onsite!

Second starters!

Beautiful and elegant pasta (remember it is a starter back in Italy!)!

Unusual, reasonable and delicious red wine!

More home-baked bread!

First main dish: Shizuoka seabream sauteed with basil sauce, Italian style!

Second main dish: Shizuoka wagyu steak! No need to comment!

Beautiful classic dessert assortment combining French and Italian cuisines!

And coffee served as it should be!

Definitely among the very best in Shizuoka Prefecture!

KURAYA KATO
421-0122, Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 3-5-33 (ten minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station
Tel. 054-260-44959
HOMEPAGE
Lunches o reservations only only 11:00 am on the day
Dinners on reservations only minimum 24 hours in advance
Credit cards ok

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Cafe, Green Tea, Kakegawa City, Organic Tea, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yoshiharu Matsushita

Organic Green Tea Cafe: TEA TIME MARUHA by Yoshihara Matsushita in Kakegawa City!

June 26, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Smiling, kind ans very attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall spotless clean. Completely non-smoking
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Organic Green tea and gelato/ice cream!

Yoshiharu Matsushita/松下芳春さん (on the right) has been growing tea in organic fashion as long as he can remember and actively continues not only growing it but conducting continuous research to ever improve quality.
Some ten years he decided to reach more people and customers by opening a very original Cafe called Maruha near his faraway tea fields in Kakegawa City!

The concept has a multiple purpose. Not only it introduces customers to top class organic green tea, but it also offers a space to enjoy it at leisure in the middle of rural Japan!

It also sells utensils, souvenirs and history!

A very spacious cafe with direct view on Japanese nature!

The menu is short but solid: Maruha New Green Tea set with green tea biscuits and green tea gelato, Cold macha Shiruko Japanese dessert, Maruha Zensai Japanese dessert and two types of green tea gelato! And also 4 different tea milk shakes!

The gelato/ice cram on offer!

I ordered the new green tea set with green tea biscuits and matcha gelato!

Delicious matcha gelato!

And superb top class new green tea!

Definitely worth the drive!

TEA TIME MARUHA

436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 592
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Opening hours: 10:00~17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
GOOGLE MAP

YOSHIHARU MATSUSHITA/松下芳春
Matsushita Tea Garden (JONA Certificated)
436-0011 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa City, Tamari, 181
Tel.: 0537-22-6528
Fax: 0537-23-4331
Tea Fields direct phone number: 080-3468-7750
WEBSITE
E-MAIL: suppin@gmail.com

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Sushi Dinner at Miyako Sushi in Shizuoka City!

June 6, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and informative.
Equipment & facilities: old but very clean. Traditional but clean Japanese washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: great products, local and from all over japan. Great sake list.

In Shizuoka City, you do not need to be near the sea to find great sushi and fish products. The latter probably follow you along your trips!
The other day I was invited by a local regular for dinner at Miyako Sushi on the other side of the Abe River and as far as Abeguchi Shinden, in the middle of the country, not far from the tea fields.
Miyako Sushi is what you call a true traditional country sushi restaurant.
No pretense here. The marine products a top-class and the selection of sake a discovery!
And most customers are local so you know you are coming to a great place, maybe old fashioned but so laid back!
Not only sushi,and sashimi but also cooked food await you there!

Superlative “Nanbu Bijin” sake from faraway Iwate Prefecture!
Check with the staff as the sake list tends to change quickly!

O-toshi/snack served with first drink, featuring otaru ika/lucciolla squid!

Traditional kappa maki/cucumber roll for the kid among us!

First superb sashimi selection!

Deep fried kuro hanpene/sardine paste cake and kisu/sillago!

A rare sake, Sawa no I for Tokyo of all places!

The second superb sashimi selection!

Grilled shishamo/literally leaf fish! A typical Japanese specialty!

Sushi nigiri galore!

And instead of dessert we had Chyawanmushi/Japanese salted hot pudding!

Go and explore the country along the Abe River! Surprises await for you there!

MIYAKO SUSHI
Address: Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Abeguchi Shinden, 517-5
Tel.: 054-296-4171
Working hours: indefinite. Better call and reserve first as the place tends to be crowded!

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Sushi Lunch at Sushi Chu in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

April 10, 2019 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: a bit shy but kind and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Overall very clean if old. Non-smoking at lunch time
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local seafood. Great sushi donburi/bowls

The star of the restaurant!

Nice face, isn’t it?

During our last visit to Atami City, at the eastern end of Shizuoka Prefecture, we decided to try Sushi Chu Restaurant, a very traditional place like they don’t do anymore!
It can be a busy place especially on weekends both with Japanese and foreign tourists!

You will be asked if you want to eat lunch in the normal style, for which you will be invited to sit at the counter or if you want to order the sushi donburi/bowls, in which case you will sit at a table.
The donburi sets are great at lunch. We decided to order both!

I ordered the “Jyou Kaisen Don/Superior seafood bowl” which includes local seafood and more from other parts of Japan!

Of course Dragon expected to share that!

From another angle!

As for Dragon, she ordered “Jizakana Kaisen Don/Local fish Bowl”!

From another angle!

All local seafood including shirasu/sardine whiting and Sakuraebi/Cherry Shrimps”!

The servings are big enough to satisfy you without stuffing yourself. The food is authentic and very reasonabkle for the quality!

SUSHI CHU

413-0013, 7-11, Ginza Cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel.: 0557-82-3222
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00, 17:00~20:00
Homepage (Japanese)

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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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Izu City, Japan Agriculture, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka Prefecture, wasabi

Shioya Kichie Wasabi Farm in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

March 20, 2019 dragonlife 2 Comments

The other day I had the opportunity to visit Shioya Kichie Wasabi Farm deep inside Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture!
We met at Shuzenji Station, the last station along the Izu-Hakone private railway line joining Mishima City andd Shuzenji.
From there it was a fairly long trip by car deep into the Amagi Mountains to Kichie’s Farm before boarding a lighter car to manage the narrow roads to his fields located at about 300 meter altitude.
It is still much lower than Utogi, the birthplace of wasabi, meaning different condtions in cultivation and maintenace!

Higher temperatures and lower altitude mean that utmost care must be given to a regular water flow, most of it coming from natural sources and the cleanliness of the soil made mainly of sand and fine gravel which must be regularly tilled in between new transplanting occuring in a staggered fashion to ensure a constant harvest all year round although quality and quantiry will evidently differ depending on the sseason!

All this means no holidays for the growers as they must chack daily on the possibility of natural disease and pests proliferation!
They do have techniques to prevent the latter far different from those used in Utogi. Generally speaking wasabi cultivation in Izu Peninsula is still recent going back only to three geanerations or so!

Water must funneled out of each water field along channels to prevent impurities from one field to accumuate inside another one! Of course the water running in the chunnels must be controlled and the chunnels regularly cleaned!

We did have to trudge along in between the water fields and it does demand some good athletic skills! no wonder Mr. Shioya is so thin and fleet-footed!

Roots are cleaned with water sprays instead of brushes which harm the skin! before that secondary rhizomes/subroots will be taken out for replanting!

Wasabi flowering occurs there more than a month before Utogi! Of course they are edible!

A beautful “mazuma” cultivar wasabi root Mr. Shioya took home to have us taste it!

The light lunch prepared for us by Mrs. Shioya!

Wasabi potato salad, wasabi and cheese, wasabi stem pickles!

Succulent sushi rolls!

With fresh wasabi root grated by Kichie!

And wasabi leaf tempura for dessert!
Talk about Japanese hospitality!

Kichie Shioya Wasabi Farm/塩谷吉栄山葵農園 (producer and seller)
410-2516 Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu Shi, Ikanaba, 35
Tel.: 0558-83-0136

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Tokubetsu Junmai Oniotome Sachi (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

January 1, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

Tis tasting is about a favorite brewery of mine, namely Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture!
It is the third of Oniotome/the Ogre Princess series, a sake collection acquiring fame all the country!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefectur)
Rice both milled down to 60%
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW 5
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 1
Acidity: 1.4
Amino acids: 1.4
Bottled in August 2018

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: subtle, floral and fruity. Pineapple, banana.
Body: fluid
Tate: soft dry attack. Flowers. Very dry pears and apples. Dry raisins.
Disappearsquickly enough warming up back of the palate with plums and oranges.
Tends to mellow down with food and end on a sweeter note.
Comments: very elegant and dry sake, typical of Oomuraya Brewery. Very sophisticated in spite of the modest Homare Fuji rice. Makes for a splendid aperitif!
Recommende pairings: Fresh asparagus, sashimi.

LA SOMMELIERE

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