Tapas (Mediterranean)

Roseo B1, 10-45 Kudegaya-cho, Nishjinomiya / 0798-73-4455 / 11:00-23:00 (Sat - 01:00) / Yen 4000 / 6 pickels / ¥

Tapas - Culinary delights in mini size at mini price in Shukugawa

The name of the restaurant is borrowed from Spanish 'Tapas'. A Tapas Bar in Spain is a place that you visit before dinner where you are served drinks plus dozens of small dishes.

Tapas has taken this concept to another level. The cuisine is Spanish inspired, but features many unique creations that one may call 'new Mediterranean'. The menu consists of appetizers, salads, meat, fish, pasta, pizza and desserts, around 30 dishes altogether. They are all available in 'Tapas' size and regular size, with prices between Yen 500 - Yen 650 for the small size. We usually manage to eat 8 - 10 Tapas sized dishes.

Tapas is one of our favorites, and everything we tasted there was good. The food is certainly creative and makes for some surprising culinary experiences. Also the more classic fare like risotto or pizza is recommendable. In terms of taste for the buck Tapas is unsurpassed. Where else can you get such a delightful dish like slightly charcoaled tuna in a coconut curry sauce with asparagus for as little as Yen 600?

The wine list is small, but offers inexpensive wines for casual drinking that go well with the food. The service is basic, but efficient and quick. The ambience is modern and simple, yet tasteful.

English menu available, some English spoken.

Food: 7 Service: 5 Ambience: 6 Total 6

HOW TO GET THERE: from Hankyu Kurakuen turn left and left again at the first big junction. After 300 m you will find Tapas on the right in the building with the big colorful 'Roseo' flags.

Tengayu (Japanese)

Umehara Bldg 1F, 13-21 Kikutani-cho, Nishinomiya/(0798) 72-3647/11:30～14:30 17:30～22:00/6000yen/5 pickles

A cosy tempura spot in Kurakuen.

Behind a diminutive facade with parking space for three Minis, Tengayu is a perfect place for friends, families, and well-worn couples to enjoy tempura. Duck under the rabbit calligraphied noren to find a warm and spacious wooden interior with a counter tended by a friendly friar - make that fryer. About \5000 buys you a filling course with lightly fried shrimp, eel, and veggies - with enough spare change left over for the obligatory beer or two. Choose from three anthills of seasoned salt to liven your fried bits, or douse them in dashi with grated daikon as you please. In August we were treated to fried ume-boshi (Japan's infamous pickled plums), which squirt scalding sour juice to not unpleasant effect, and presumably other seasonal specialties can be had throughout the year. Although higher-flying tempura-ya can probably be found for power-dating, Tengaya makes a comfortable choice for a relaxed evening of food and conversation.

Food 5: Service 5; Ambience 5 Total 5 pickles

HOW TO GET THERE: From Hankyu Kurakuen Stn, take a big street and go to west. The building is on your left at the 2nd big crossing. The flower shop is next to it.

Ristorante Trenta (Italian)

Vintage Shukugawa Bldg 2F 5-44 Kasumi-cho, Nishinomiya/0798-22-5111/11:30
～14:00(L.O)18:00～22:00(L.O)/7000/4 pickles

(Sorry, this restaurant was closed down in Jan 2004)
Ciao Trenta.

We want back to confirm our impressions of Trenta. As before, it appears to have potential. It is a casual but stylish room with a big open kitchen, retro euro-pop tunes create a festive atmosphere, there is a nice view of Shukugawa's rococo church spires, and prima piatti like the capellini with octopus are undeniably delicious - all of which make Trenta's failure more tragic and infuriating. Ok, it was bad luck that I was seated in front of the flash-freezing airconditioner - I can forgive that. But the staff seemed flustered by and improvised in response to our most basic requests, such as for bread. We even had to rummage through their fridge because the wine list was in transition. When, finally, they brought me chicken instead of the duck I'd ordered, and it was rubbery, my good-will was exhausted. Maybe if they'd tried to make good at that point with a beg-your-pardon grappa, they could have turned it around; but instead we were slapped in the face by being made to wait for our check. I couldn't wait to leave. It is unhealthy to suppress feelings of frustration such as these. I vowed retribution, and here it is: service 2, food 5, ambience 6 pickles.

No English menu available. No English speaking staff.

HOW TO GET THERE: At the top of the hill near Hanku Shukugawa, on the third floor across the street from church.

Brasiliano (Churrasco)

3F, Mosaic 1-6-1, Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe / 078-360-2996 / Yen 3000 / 5.5 pickels / ¥

A carnivore's paradise - all you can eat for Yen 1980 at Mosaic/Harborland

Imagine you're a meat lover on a vegeterian diet. You've been dreaming about all sorts of meat, juicy, tasty and nicely barbecued. This is where your dream comes true!

Churrasco means that different kinds of meat, mainly beef, are BBQ'ed on a skewer. The skewer is brought to your table and the meat freshly sliced on to your plate. Brasiliano is all you can eat, and an unbelievable bargain at Yen 1980. On skewers they serve 3 different kinds of beef, pork, chicken, sausages and pineapple as a dessert. On top you have access to a buffet shared with their Chinese restaurant next door.

My recommendation is: start with some rice and the Brazilian feijoada bean stew, and then focus on what is really good there - the meat. It's tender, juicy, well seasoned and keeps coming, until you set the signal to red (look for the red/green rod on your table). Wash the food down with a beer or some Caipirinhas.

They have some Brazilians in the service who try to create a casual & fun atmosphere. The ambience is quite sterile. The best seats are on the terrace in summer.

English menu & English speaking staff available.

Food: 6 Service: 5 Ambience: 4 Total: 5.5