Steak so good, they named it twice
Any establishment that declares “Steak” as part of its name is staking its reputation on one thing: its steak. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the stake/steak play on words there). As a Japanese steak restaurant, Steak Rosso Rosso declares its “steakiness” in the most demanding market in the world for gourmet beef, though its location in a ski resort probably saves it from some of the fierce competition found in Tokyo and the other great cities of Japan.
Raku - The Perfect Izakaya
The Japanese have many great ideas, and wonderful traditions. Chief amongst them (at least from a gourmand perspective) is the Izakaya - 居酒屋. There’s no perfect translation into English, but a good approximation is “Bar with awesome side dishes and snacks”.
Raku is one such Izakaya, and sits in the ski fields of Hokkaido, in Niseko / Hirafu. I normally don’t worry with giving florid descriptions of the locations, and I only mention it at length this time because I couldn’t work out a way to smuggle this entire bar home in my luggage.
Japan's best kept dining secret - J-Sekka Niseko
Niseko is a fantastic destination for skiers, as well as those who prefer the aprés style. This year the crowds were smaller that in previous years, which meant getting a last minute table at one of the greatest little restaurants in that part of Japan was possible.
J Sekka has grown to encompass everything from apartments to a masseur, but at heart it is still all about the food. This year, they’ve joined the Hokkaido regional restaurateurs in promoting local produce, and we enjoyed everything from wild venison to exquisitie chocolate creations (OK, chocolate might not be indigenous).
Tsubara Tsubara - Quick, Tasty and Fun
Just like this review, Tsubara Tsubara is a quick, tasty and fun little Japanese restaurant on the edge of Niseko as one follows the road east to Kutchan. As it’s in one of the satellite “pension” areas, it can be easier to get a table here for those who walk 5 minutes further than Niseko’s main road.
One of the highlights of this place is the fantastic “dial up the chilli” ordering system.