Do you know the wine bar "LUCE WINE&TAPAS" quietly standing in Minamimachi, Kurashiki City?
The owner asks about your mood for the day and serves your preferred wine, making it an attractive casual wine bar.
Additionally, the "tapas" that go well with the wine are very delicious.
The prosciutto sliced right in front of you, the juicy sausage that fills you up with just one, and the popular dish of tripe in tomato sauce.
It's a place that even people visit alone, making it irresistible for wine lovers.
It's about a 10-minute walk from the Bikan Historical Area, so it's a hidden spot that will delight those who know about it!
Together with the three members of "Astro LAVENDER", who are active in music centered around Okayama, I will introduce "LUCE WINE&TAPAS," a great place for a drink after work or a meal.
A space where you can relax and talk at the U-shaped counter
"LUCE WINE&TAPAS" is a small wine bar with 8 counter seats.
The counter inside is U-shaped, which is one of its charms as it brings you closer to the owner and other customers.
Many customers visit alone after work or for a final drink. Conversations with the owner, Mr. Ise, and other customers often lead to customers naturally becoming friends.
Inside the bar, various types of wine bottles are displayed, enticing wine lovers.
The wines available at "LUCE WINE&TAPAS" are over 100 types, countless in number.
More than 80% are Italian wines, offering a variety of flavors.
Even if you don't know much about wine, the owner, Mr. Ise, will ask about your preferences and recommend wines, so you can feel at ease.
Conveying your preferred wine flavor and the moment the wine is poured is very exciting.
The model "Astro LAVENDER" ordered sparkling wine.
Sparkling wine suits the atmosphere of a girls' gathering very well.
The owner, Mr. Ise, chose a wine that is refreshing and easy to drink even for women.
Cheers!
From snacks to pasta and desserts! The menu of LUCE WINE&TAPAS
The "TAPAS" mentioned in the store's name refers to small dishes enjoyed with wine.
It's perfect for enjoying a meal while having conversations.
The menu of "LUCE WINE&TAPAS" is as follows.
These prices are as of September 2019.
There are many snacks that seem to go well with wine.
Additionally, there are pasta and desserts, so you can feel secure when you want to eat a lot.
Not only wine, but also after-dinner drinks, beer, and highballs are available.
Looking at the menu makes you hungry!
Now, let me introduce the recommended menu from the owner, Mr. Ise.
Perfectly paired with wine! Recommended tapas
First, I ordered the "Parma prosciutto salad" (tax included: 800 yen).
The prosciutto served on top of the salad was sliced right in front of me!
Finally, grated cheese was sprinkled on top, making it a perfect match with the wine.
Next, I ordered the popular dish "Tripe in tomato sauce" (tax included: 800 yen).
Tripe refers to the second stomach of a cow in Italian.
In Japan, it is commonly referred to as "hachinosu."
It is one of the representative ingredients of stews in Italy.
It was very tender, and the sauce clung well to it, making it delicious. There was no unpleasant smell, so I think even those who are not fond of offal can enjoy it! It paired perfectly with the wine.
Finally, I ordered the "Homemade sausage" (tax included: 800 yen), which was also on the menu for the day of the Harenomi-no Kurashiki 2019.
Even though it's just one, it's quite filling!
While it was being grilled, a very juicy aroma wafted through, making me hungry.
The juiciness of the meat was outstanding, and the aroma of the herbs spread throughout my mouth. One sausage is enough to fill you up!
Excellent pairing with wine, I devoured it in no time.
The tapas menu offers a wide variety, from refreshing options to hearty dishes.
It might be a good idea to ask the owner, Ise-san, for menu recommendations that pair well with the wine of the day.
One of the attractions is the cigars you can smoke late at night
If there are no dining customers during late hours, you can smoke cigars. (Cigarettes are not allowed)
The owner, Ise-san, has obtained a cigar qualification and has a face as a cigar professional in addition to being a wine expert.
When smoking authentic Cuban cigars in Japan, they can cost over 2,000 yen each, making it difficult for beginners to try them.
However, they also stock relatively inexpensive cigars from Honduras and Jamaica, allowing beginners to enjoy them starting from 500 yen.
It is said that the pairing of grappa, a post-meal drink, and cigars is excellent.
Try visiting during late hours when there are fewer dining customers.
"LUCE WINE&TAPAS" loved by regular customers
"LUCE WINE&TAPAS" is in its third year as of 2019.
Many customers visit alone, and after drinking in front of the station, they tend to return for "another drink" before heading home.
During the interview, a regular female customer came in and presented a souvenir from her trip to the owner, Ise-san.
In a space with only 8 seats, the U-shaped counter creates a perfect distance, making it easy to strike up conversations and naturally become friends with the owner, Ise-san, and other customers.
The owner's good personality, along with the casual atmosphere of "LUCE WINE&TAPAS," may be one of the reasons why people want to come back "again and again."
When asked about future prospects, the owner, Ise-san, smiled and said, "As long as we don't go out of business, we'll keep doing this quietly."
In conclusion
At "LUCE WINE&TAPAS," you can enjoy your favorite wine and snacks based on your mood for the day.
The casual atmosphere inside makes it a wine bar that is easy to enter even alone.
Whether you want to slowly enjoy wine, savor a cigar, or just chat with someone, be sure to visit "LUCE WINE&TAPAS."
The saltiness and umami of the prosciutto had a luxurious feel! It paired perfectly with the vegetables, and I finished it in no time!