Peering out the large windows of Revo Brewing, the harbor scenery is laid out before you. The new Air Cabin gondola floats in front of the attractive Minatomirai skyline, while SUP riders pass by in the harbor below. The view at night shifts to a glimmering spectacle reflected off the water. Revo is a brewpub that makes a wide range of styles from hazy IPAs to sours. Kanagawa native Yasuki Mizunuma gained experience at COEDO in Saitama, before returning to his roots to become Revo’s Head Brewer. He says he takes inspiration from travels to a variety of US breweries,…
Author: Shotai Yaichiro
KAKURENBO CRAFT BEER CAFE is a quaint, cosy bar near Kanazawa-bunko Station whose one-story building blends into the surrounding residential neighborhood. Owner-chef Keisuke Ono and his wife value communicating with customers and will make you feel like you are truly at their home. Have a seat at a table or on tatami mats and chat with them or with friends over beers. After an introduction to craft beer by one of his staff, Ono became fascinated by its diversity. He avidly researched different types of hops and beer producing regions and, of course, included beer sampling in his studies. He…
Craftbeer Sloth House was opened a year ago by husband-wife team Shoji and Wakako Hamaguchi, a friendly couple well-versed in craft beer. Like the slow-moving mammal it’s named after, the couple strives to provide a slow-paced vibe in which you can relax over some fine drinks and food. The cozy interior of their bar is cafe-like in appearance. Yokohama native Shoji is trained in French cuisine and that is reflected in the original dishes offered. When I visited, the Chef’s Appetizer Assortment (¥500 for one / ¥880 for two) featured carottes râpées, bacon & cheese stuffed jalapeño poppers, and maguro…
Lamugiya is a small, cozy shop tucked away in a residential area about 10 minutes on foot from Tama Plaza Station. Be sure to make reservations–the place was packed when we visited on a weekend night. The name Lamugiya derives from its specialties, lamb and mugi (barley, i.e. beer). Of course, I highly recommend trying the Lamb Chops (¥450~). They are served grilled brown on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. The top quality meat is prepared in a variety of ways. Besides the popular Salt & Pepper and Lemon & Grain Mustard flavorings, others on the…
Along a steep road leading up to the Yamate Bluff area from the west, a warehouse sits unexpectedly in a mostly residential area. Maybe equally out of place next to the warehouse is a stylish restaurant that I’d like to introduce–Great Smoky Mountain. The open, cabin-esque interior and warm, cozy atmosphere are reminiscent of a North American mountain lodge. The weathered wood and homey decor make it seem like this place holds a lot of history, but it’s actually only been open for a year. The restaurant is managed by interior design company T-plaster, hence the beautiful and stylish design.…
When you hear that a restaurant serves French-style cuisine, it tends to conjure up images of a formal place with a pricey menu. However, I recently discovered a restaurant that has a pleasantly casual atmosphere and offers French inspired fare at reasonable prices–Bistro HOBO. The specialty here is authentic gibier (game) cuisine. Fresh ingredients are acquired daily and the menu is based on what quality provisions are seasonally available. In order to best draw out the flavors of the meats, the restaurant expertly uses bone and other portions of the animal in things like sauces. Wasting as little as possible…
Down a side street off Isezaki Mall, Bon’s white noren (shop curtain) blowing softly in the breeze beckons diners in search of washoku. Inside, it has the appearance of a sushi shop, but after perusing the menu you’ll notice there is much more to it. Bon offers a wide variety of beautifully presented, traditional Japanese food with a focus on soba noodles as shime (an end of the meal dish). Owner Hiroki Yamawaki aims to win fans over to the delights of soba. He continuously employs seasonal ingredients. Items like bonito, horse mackerel, eggplant and corn find their way onto…