Kakashi Yakitori - 焼鳥かかし

The amiable Master and authoritarian Mama will certainly cater to your every need. The fare is traditional Japanese yakitori - from pork belly sticks to chicken skin with sweet soy sauce - and entices many locals and regulars from further afield.

Master and Mama Koyanagi enjoying a drink!

Definite recommendations are the Mama's kobachi ( 小鉢), which are small bowls of homemade, tasty treats. These usually include seasonal seafood and vegetables and are always a delight. They are also a bargain, at only 180yen a bowl! There are usually about three or four on the menu to choose from, but hurry - they sell out quickly on busy nights.

Some lovely kobachi

 

 

Another highlight is Mama-san's homemade yuzu-kosho (citrus and chilli paste). This yuzu-kosho is unique in that the Mama uses kabosu citrus fruit, instead of the usual yuzu citrus. The difference is discernible from the intense citrus aroma and slight sweetness given by the use of kabosu. It is an amazing accompaniment to just about anything!

 

Amazing "kabosu"-kosho. Mama has just finished a new batch.

While the food is definitely an important feature of Kakashi, what really sets this yakitori apart from many others in Saga is the atmosphere. The Master has a perpetual grin on his face and his banter with his wife has many customers rolling with laughter. Mama-san herself, while appearing as cute as a little doll, often comes across as a domineering, battle-axe type but is also constantly making wisecracks and enjoys a drink and  a joke with anyone. The Master and Mama, while simply being themselves, have attracted kindred spirits to Kakashi - most regular patrons are known for their contagious humour and kindhearted qualities.

The Master in Manga

 If you are looking for delicious, homely food with a few laughs then Kakashi is for you. It's also a great place to practice your 佐賀弁 ("Saga dialect").  Don't be inimidated by the Mama's correction of your Japanese - she's only acting as most Mamas would!

Kakashi is open every day apart from Mondays. It is usually better to call and check they're open though. You can find more information here 焼鳥かかし　

The Master and Mama pre-yakitori!

Yakiniku Marujuu 焼肉まるじゅう

This is an inexpensive, yet delicious, Korean-style barbecue restaurant catering for everyone from young, fashionable people about town to old fellas on the lash.

There is a wide range of meats and cuts of meat on the menu; as well as traditional Korean fare, such as bibimba, kimchi platter, chijimi and so on.

They have course options available to satisfy the most hungry/thirsty of customers. The staff are also very helpful and friendly.

All in all, a great dining experience, especially for a group party with a gargantuan hunger for meat or a mega thirst for booze - or both!

You can find more information here -

Yakiniku Marujuu

A sinister looking customer.

Some meat.

88yen beer @ MuraHachi

October is the anniversary of Izakaya MuraHachi's opening, so to celebrate they are holding their (in)famous 88yen beer campaign again this year!

Every Wednesday in October (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st) you can pop along for some very cheap glasses of beer! Be aware of the fact that you will probably be charged for a little appetiser (300yen), so be prepared to add that to your bill!
There are also plenty of decent izakaya-style dishes on offer - spicy Mexican pizzas, chicken nanban, sashimi, French fries, chicken wings and, the house specialty, local charcoal-grilled chicken with a yuzukosho sauce.

Opening hours are 17:00 to midnight. Reservations are recommended!

St. Vincent Wine Festival @ Huis Ten Bosch サンヴァンサンワイン祭り＠ハウステンボス 2012

Just an announcement.

This year's St. Vincent Wine Festival サンヴァンサンワインの祭 will be held from

September 29th (Sat) to October 21st (Sun).

For the regular ticket, costing 2000yen, you can sample 200 different kinds of wine from all over the world. If you upgrade to the Gold ticket, for an extra 1000yen, you can taste an additional 20 "premium" wines, which are of a far higher quality and value. There is also a kids' pass (or for drivers) available for 700yen, allowing you to sample 5 different kinds of juice!

The wine festival is part of the "Great European Festival" 大ヨーロッパ 祭 which is currently running and concludes on October the 31st (Wed). Apart from the wine festival, the European Festival also includes a  90minute, 1000yen "all-you-can-drink" draught beer campaign (生ビール1000円飲み放題）and some dishes from around Europe - for example, Swiss fondue, Spanish paella, Russian beef stroganoff etc. They do seem a bit expensive though, so bring your own cheese and snacks if you like - or try and get a few free samples!

There is also a parade held at different times of the day and a "European Horror Night"!
Please note there is an entry fee to the actual park as well - so it might bump the price up!

Anyway, have fun if you go and I might see you there.

St. Vincent Wine Festival @ Huis Ten Bosch サンヴァンサンワイン祭り＠ハウステンボス

For roughly two weeks, every October, Huis Ten Bosch hosts a popular wine tasting festival.
There are wines from all over the world although, unsurprisingly, most are from France and Italy.

The Top Ten

For a mere ￥1500 you can get a regular wine pass - this gives the holder the opportunity to sample 100 different wines. There are also limited regular passes costing ￥2000, which come with a free bottle of wine to down at your leisure.
The "Gold Pass" sounds much better, and it is! It's ￥2500, but with that you get to taste the usual 100 wines PLUS 10 higher grade wines. The selling price of these wines range from about ￥3500 to ￥6500 a bottle...and you can try them as many times as you like.
If you are feeling flush, or want to treat yourself to something extra special, then you can blow ￥5000 on a "Premier Pass". You can quaff the regular 100 and the special 10 - plus you get to try a glass of a specially selected vintage wine.
Got kids? Don't worry! There is a special kids soft drink pass, costing ￥700 for the chance to try 5 different fruit juices. Some of the juices tasted nicer than a few of the wines actually.

Some of the 100

There are also plenty of stalls and shops selling all sorts of meats, cheeses and snacks plus Huis Ten Bosch is home to many restaurants of differing quality.

German style sausages...great with a cold beer!

If you get tired of wine then why not try a beer? The newly refurbished booze shop now contains 100s of beers from all over the world - possibly the best selection to be found in Kyushu! You can even drink them outside if you like, or take them home and enjoy them with a friend. On top of that there are also many fantastic, though pricey, wines and of course many varieties of Japanese grog.

Some great beers...

If you drink too much vino then why not stay at one of HTBs many lovely hotels - there are often fantastic deals on Rakuten, which sometimes include dinner and breakfast or a free pass into the theme park!

The Watermark Hotel

The festival runs this year from now until Sunday, October the 23rd. Doors open from 11am to 8pm - but if you have to pay a theme park entrance fee then you should consider perhaps going there from 5pm - 8pm as after 5pm entry to the park is dicounted to ￥1000.

For more information please check out the Huis Ten Bosch website

http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/

 

Suivie - 酔美

Suivie's Bar is a Saga City institution that has been catering to clientele from all walks of life for nigh on 20 years. The Master behind the counter, Naoki, is always ready to greet you with his infectious grin and friendly banter. Word of warning though, he enjoys nothing more than seeing his customers get very drunk and late at night you will often see a few "tired and emotional" patrons passed out on the bar! Here he is with a few lucky ladies...

Suivie is renowned for it's excellent cocktails and huge collection of whisky and bourbon. Whether you order a Mojito, Godfather, or just a simple gin and tonic, the level of care and attention used to pour each drink is spectacular. Naoki is a fluent English speaker and, ably assisted by lovely barmaid Serena, will always attempt to cater to every whim and fancy of the customer, so whatever you want don't hesitate to ask. Highly recommended are the legendary "Dirty Boy Scout" (be very wary of the "Flaming Dirty Boy Scout Special"), and "The Bulls**t". All cocktails, draught beers, bottled beers, spirits, liquers and wines are very reasonably priced.
Below is a Dirty Martini. Lovely.

While originally being primarily a cocktail bar, Suivie has evolved gastronomically and now serves a wide variety of gourmet dishes. Many patrons were initially partial to the Italian fare served at Suivie, such as the famous handmade seafood pizza seen below, which is a mere 1200yen and perfect with a glass of dry white Italian wine,  and their many pastas and risottos (the Gorgonzola Risotto is pretty damn tasty).

Suivie has recently updated it's menu, and it now includes several Spanish-style tapas dishes and also offers freshly sliced cured Serrano ham. Juicy, tender and superb with a glass of dry sherry and a few mixed olives.

Even though Naoki has revamped his menu, he has still retained the old favourites. Such as the mighty Steak Platter - a huge chunk of prime Aussie beef, garlic toast, chunky chips and generous blob of wholegrain mustard - all for the bargain price of 1500yen!

They also have the awe-inspiring "Suivie Burger", which consists of a mouth-watering pattie of pure ground Japanese beef, topped with a velvety fried egg and a thick slice of fresh onion while resting elegantly on a bed of juicy tomato and pickles. Only 650yen and absolutely divine!

Suivie is comparatively large for a bar in Saga. Naoki and staff often cater for weddings, birthdays and other functions. If you are looking for somewhere with a little more class than your average "all you can drink" Izakaya for a party then give Suivie a call - they will definitely give you a good deal. Suivie also has a large screen and a projector, making it a great place to watch sport (Premier League etc) and other live events.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing cocktail after a hard day's graft, wanting to entertain friends or searching for a top quality meal in refined surroundings, Suivie is a definite must for the Saga dweller. See you there!

Suivie Bar and Restaurant 酔美
Open every single day. Mon to Thurs 6pm to 3am. Fri and Sat 6pm to 5am. Sun 6pm to 12am.
Shirayama 2-1-3, Saga City
0952-26-4688

Check out the link - Suivie 酔美

Hokkaido Food and Drink Fair...

At Saga Tamaya department store from April 13th until the 24th.
Every day there is a different special offer available. This event is worth a visit just to taste the numerous free samples and be charmed by various old ladies trying to flog you their wares!

There are many types of cheesecakes, cream puddings, chocolate snacks, cheeses, meats, and fish to sample. There are also special Hokkaido seafood bento boxes on sale, and even a sushi stall too. My personal favourites are the wine-tasting corner and the spicy chicken wings. You can also purchase locally produced Hokkaido beer, healthy yogurt drinks and also delicious crab cakes and dumplings. Only while stocks last though! Enjoy!