private lodge & cafe (kamitori, kumamoto city)

i am absolutely enthralled by this latest cafe. last night, after a two hour japanese lesson, my mates and i were in need of sustenance. we went to one of the coolest cafes in downtown by far-private lodge & cafe (http://blog.private-lodge.net/) , located at the end of kamitori, right next to cocoro cafe. free wireless internet (for mac lovers like myself), dog friendly, cds/jewelry/gadgets on sale in the front, retro decor, indoor/outdoor seating, an extensive drink/lunch/dinner/dessert menu boasting japanese and american plates...i look forward to my next stop here.

the friendly folks at private lodge post their daily lunch and dinner special on their blog/website so you can conveniently check what is on the menu before you treck on over there. last night's special is what i was craving- かぼちゃクロケ, pumpkin croquettes, served with rice, soup, and a medley of tomatoes, eggplant and mushrooms, topped with parmesean cheese. this special went for ¥1050. the croquettes were crisp on the outside and sweet and savory on the inside. i have really found a new appreciation for dishes made of pumpkin (acorn squash really) here. check out these other dishes my pals ordered: a BELT (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato) for ¥800, and banana chocolate french toast for ¥500.






the great thing about this place is that folks come not only for the delicious food, but for the music acts that perform about once every two weeks here (singer songwriter/folk types). i hope to check one out in the near future.

private lodge & cafe is open everyday from 11:30 to 22:00, and til 23:00 on fridays and saturdays. check it out!

こころ カフェ (cocoro cafe, kumamoto city)

private space (http://www.cocoro-cafe.jp/cocoro/). that is the selling point for this quaint and dreamy cafe. located past kamitori, across from the lawson's combini, you need a password to get into the cafe if it is your first time to experience it all. if you have made a reservation, you are then given a card with an exclusive pin number that you can use everytime you want to frequent the cafe. it all seems a bit too much of a hassle really, but i guess it added onto the experience.







my lovely friend azusa and i were given a side booth that was on its own raised platform. it was quite cozy and the soft lighting definitely relaxed the mood a bit. the lunch menu is made up of sets that include a main dish, soup, bread, salad, dessert, and drink. these go for ¥980 to ¥1900. i opted for the sandwich set. it had been a while since i had a real sandwich in this country (aka not egg salad on super white, crustless bread). this was a real onion/cheese baguette filled with fresh basil, tomato, mozzarrella cheese, roasted chicken, all topped off with a spiced mayonnaise. the drink i choose was a pineapple flavored tonyu (soy water). yeah, you heard me right. everything was presented so beautifully...the sandwich would have benefitted from being toasted a bit. but the dessert made up for any other shortcomings. the cake was deliciously moist and the chocolate was set off nicely by the tartness of the raspberry sorbet.

overall, cocoro was an experience that was tracking down the password for. 是非、食べてみてください！

cocoro cafe:
*open everyday, lunchtime starting at 11:30 to 3, cafe time from 3 to 5, and dinner thereafter.

enjoy ne!

akari (kumamoto city)

お久しぶりです！　Long time no see. It has been nearly 2 and a half months since my last entry, and there has definitely been a ton of eating since then. To start off this near year, here is a review of Akari (http://www.akari-c.com/index.html) restaurant/izakaya in Kumamoto City. I attended a party there a few nights ago, and was impressed by the atmosphere and quality of the food. Each guest paid ¥4,000 for a two hour all-you-can-eat and drink feast. With a set menu for occassions like this, the food can be either really hit, or really miss. Fortunately, I enjoyed the night's menu: shrimp tempura wrapped in nori, yakiniku (bbq beef/chicken at your table), seared tuna sashimi, salad, special peanut tofu (absolutely delish), and a pureed pumpkin ball filled with ground beef...i believe i got my money's worth.. especially with the two beers, cocktails, and excellent company.





akari is located just off shimotori, near the ginza-dori intersection, on the first floor of the ポブラビル. it is open 17:30 to 5:00 from monday to saturday, and 17:30 to 1:00 on sundays.

kumamoto is just packed with great restaurants like this... i got a few more months to try as many of them as i can.

cafe de ram (shimotori/kumamoto city)

you canNOT miss cafe de ram off route 57. check out the gargantuous sign for this cafe on stilts. their menu boasts of pasta, sandwiches, and rice plates, but most come for their coffee selection. a bit pricy (average ¥550 to ¥600) for a cup.


i didn't even opt for coffee, ironicially enough, the last time i went. i tried their kyarameru kokoa (caramel cocoa), and it was very creamy and decadent. cafe de ram is a good place for a long chat (to make the price worth it!) over some java...otherwise, if you're in need for a quick coffee lift, go to rosarian or dotour.

zakka + cafe: orange cafe in kumamoto city (shimotori)

in the same circle of cafes as cadeau, this place was introduced to me by cafe/photo aficionado pal martyn. ありがとうございます！this cafe/boutique/photo exhibition space is yet another quiet cafe tucked into the alleys away from the hustle and bustle of kumamoto's busiest entertainment district. the comfortable lounge aura also has some good food to go along with it.


the two times that i have frequented this cafe, i ordered the same thing- toasted camembert cheese, honey, and raisin sandwich, with a tall glass of blood orange juice. the reading material in this picture is courtesy of martyn as well. have yet to put those phrases to use...

the rest of the menu consists of other toasted sandwiches (the BLT is also recommended) for ¥500-¥700, an extensive list of coffees for ¥300-¥400, and a few rice dishes for ¥600-¥800. aspiring photographers and hipsters frequent the place and its selection of picture books, accessories, home items is worth taking a look at.


info:
check the website for map...but basically its off sunroad, between densha-dori and shimotori, in a left alley, amongst very expensive clothing boutiques. yeah, sorry, that's probably not too much help. find it if you can!

http://www.zakkacafe-orange.com/

zakka + cafe: cadeau in kumamoto city (shower dori)

located next to a popular shower dori destination, tom tourist, this second floor faux french cafe, is one of my most favorite places to eat in kumamoto city. it really is my fantasy business- an accessories/handicrafts store with a cafe in the front. there are about 6 small tables but i've thankfully never had to wait for a vacant table. everything here is 超かわいい！　(cho-kawaii, super cute). it is quite popular with the 20-something girls...eating and shopping together. um yeahhh...


they have lunch sets for ¥700 to ¥800 that includes a pasta/rice dish, salad, ice cream, and drink. i recommend their hurricane rice dish- marinated minced beef, with fried egg over rice. when you're done eating, you must check out their funky boutique. i got a pretty sweet watch for ¥___. well you don't need to know that. its a quiet little hide out in the middle of the city that will make you feel all warm inside.

info:
2F sankei bld., 13-11 shinshigai
telephone: 096-355-4080

野の花 (nonohana) in 松橋町 (matsubase-machi, uki-shi)

this little cabin in the middle of rice paddies (i'm not kidding), is one of my most favorite eateries in uki city. located about a 10 minute drive south east of matsubase station, it is a bit of a treck, but well worth it. the restaurant prides itself on using the freshest vegetables (locally-grown), meats, and dairy products.

their lunch sets for ¥1000 include salad, soup, main dish (usually a pilaf or pasta), dessert, and coffee/milk to finish it all off. today i had their chicken and mushroom pilaf, with a cold pumpkin cream soup, with a berry sherbert for dessert. their regular menu ranges from pasta, to sandwiches, curry rice, pilaf, all in the range of about ¥700 to ¥900. their tofu and beef dorian is one of their most well-known dishes. its fabulous!
the staff is very friendly. the restaurant is quaint. the food is yummy. its something you definitely have to try.


info:
from 266 toward misumi, take a L at the 7-eleven/joyfull intersection. follow that road for about 1.5 km and you will see a sign on your left for 野の花。
open 11 to 10, last order at 9:30
closed: thursdays
telephone: 0964-33-6094
(party room available, 10 to 15 people)