Every now and then I like to pretend I am not a ski bum. I brush the icy tangles out of my hair, put on a jacket that doesn’t have a powder skirt, and go somewhere other than a ramen joint for dinner.
Milly feeling a bit fancy with the foie gras pâté. It had me at hello.
Bistro Kutchan Sakaba has got my back when it comes to this ruse. With a very attractive interior, an utterly delightful menu, and a price tag that even a snow bum like myself can stretch to, Sakaba would have to be one of my new favourites when it comes to a lovely night out in Kutchan.
For starters, the foie gras pâté is to die for. I have to admit that I saw this in the teaser menu weeks ago and knew that I would be coming for it. As soon as that first taste settled on my tongue I honestly considered sending back everything else I had ordered and asking for five more of those.
Next we were served onion butter bread and mushroom confit in pancetta sauce, scrumptious mouthfuls that were oozing with Hokkaido farm freshness, and made me feel a little less petulant about not ordering more pâté.
Onion butter bread and mushroom confit with pancetta sauce
The tapas style menu is ideal for a grazer like me, but heavier dishes are also available for those who like one substantial plate. With this in mind, I ordered the risotto of the day, a chicken confit that smelled so invitingly aromatic that I forgot to take a picture before I dived in… My apologies, you’ll have to check that one out for yourself!
I was the driver and so unable to select from the extensive drinks list, but I was impressed by the international variety, which includes vino from Chile, USA, Italy and France, as well as a representation of local Japanese wines.
Home made chocolate terrine… how I wish I could eat you again
Driving didn’t stop me from dessert, and we sampled a homemade chocolate terrine, and a semifreddo- some decadent creation of ice cream and cream, with crunchy toffee pieces throughout.
The exquisitely delicious menu should really come as no surprise, as Head Chef Tsuyoshi Kawaguchi worked along side Michelin Star Chef Kamimura in Niseko for five years. However, the ambience and warmth of this delightful restaurant is attributable to Chef ‘Yoshi and his lovely wife Izumi.
Chef ‘Yoshi and his lovely wife Izumi
I highly recommend you step out to Kutchan to sample the sophisticated yet welcoming Sakaba. The menu will have your taste buds jumping with delight, and the atmosphere will leave you feeling warm and refined- an unusual but pleasant experience for a ski bum.
Contact Bistro Kutchan Sakaba for reservations on 0136-55-5735 or [email protected]
FYI the name of the restaurant is actually “Bistro Kutchan Sakaba”…
That is all.
p.
Thanks Paul, I have amended. My apologies Bistro Kutchan Sakaba. You know what they say, delectable foie gras pate by any other name would taste just as sweet!
Lol good work p :) We could use someone like you at PL magazine!