The nighttime Bikan Historical Area has a calm atmosphere that is quite different from the lively daytime scene.
At night, you can enjoy a leisurely moment in the Bikan Historical Area, gazing at the buildings and streetlights reflected on the surface of the Kurashiki River.
Along the river in the Bikan Historical Area, a hideaway bar for adults opened in June 2014.
Renovated from the storehouse of a traditional house over 100 years old, this bar offers original cocktails made primarily with seasonal fruit.
At “Salon de Rics (Salon de Rics),” a bartender with award-winning experience in cocktail competitions shakes up drinks.
Here, we introduce the cocktails that make for an exceptional experience and what makes the bar special.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in October 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Salon de Ric’s?
“Salon de Ric’s” is a bar created by renovating the storehouse of a traditional house.
Kusudo, the owner of “Bar Ric’s Cafe,” located along Kurashiki Motomachi Street, is a female bartender who has won numerous cocktail competitions.
In 2014, marking her 10th year as an owner, Kusudo opened “Salon de Ric’s” as a second location in the Bikan Historical Area.
Unlike its sister bar, “Bar Ric’s Cafe,” which is easy to reach with a five-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, Salon de Ric’s is a little farther from the station. That is precisely why, she says, “we aim to create a place that people will seek out and come to find.”
The name was chosen in the hope that it would become a “social gathering place (salon)” where local people could enjoy themselves over drinks.
One of the bar’s attractions is that it opens relatively early for Kurashiki, at 6 p.m., making it a good place to enjoy an aperitif before dinner.
▲ There are seven counter seats.
▲ There are two round tables by the window, with eight seats in total.
▲ The semi-private table seating at the back is non-smoking and is sometimes used as a group seating area for up to 10 people.
Looking around the bar, I spotted a stylish stained-glass window!
I’ve visited the bar many times, but only noticed it for the first time during this interview.
See if you can find it!
Monthly specials that will keep you coming back. “Spring Dream,” the top-prize-winning cocktail at the 2019 Suntory The Cocktail Award.
At Salon de Ric’s, we recommend the original cocktails made with seasonal fruit.
The recommended menu when we visited in October 2019 featured fruit such as figs, muscat grapes, persimmons, and pears, making it hard to decide what to order.
We ordered “Spring Dream,” which won the top prize at the 2019 Suntory The Cocktail Award.
▲ These are the five alcoholic ingredients used in “Spring Dream.”
- Japanese craft vodka “HAKU”
- Japanese craft liqueur “Kanade (White Peach)”
- Suntory liqueur “Japoné (Cherry Blossom)”
- Watsunagi Ginger
- Fresh lemon juice
“Spring Dream” is an original cocktail created by Asuka Hijiyama, a bartender at “Salon de Rics.”
It was created with the thought, “With cherry blossoms, a symbol of spring in Japan, as its concept, I wanted to express Japanese culture and the heart of the Japanese people as they admire the fleeting beauty of the blossoms in full bloom as they fall.”
This is a pale pink short cocktail with a clear, translucent appearance.
Its fantastical color evokes the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms and is simply captivating.
The sharp, Japanese-style accent of ginger comes through, leaving a clean, refreshing finish.
This cocktail has a grown-up flavor, with a noticeable alcoholic kick.
Next, from the recommended menu for October 2019, is the “Fresh Fig Sangria Cocktail.”
It is easy to drink even for those who don’t like red wine, with a flavor that is not too sweet.
This cocktail is appealing for its thick, smooth texture, with the fruit pulp clearly perceptible.
Jewellike chocolates made especially for bars. Enjoy them with a drink.
“Atelier Airgead” makes chocolates supplied exclusively to bars with professional bartenders.
“Atelier Airgead” makes premium chocolates exclusively for bars, each one handmade to be enjoyed with alcohol.
From left: five varieties—“Miso,” “Porcini,” “Poivre Rose,” “Coconut Marron,” and “Yuzu Herb.”
The chocolates in the wooden box look just like jewels!
We asked for recommendations to pair with each cocktail and chose “Yuzu Herb” and “Coconut Marron.”
“Coconut Marron,” which pairs well with fruity cocktails, has a bitter flavor that lets you enjoy the aroma of coconut.
When you put “Yuzu Herb” in your mouth, its smooth texture releases a subtle yuzu fragrance and the elegant aroma of herbs.
These luxurious chocolates offer a rare treat, so be sure to enjoy them with a drink.
The “duck prosciutto” is usually served with dried figs, but when figs are in season, you can enjoy fresh figs. It is one of the most popular menu items.
The duck’s just-right saltiness, the rich milky flavor of mascarpone, and the sweetness of fresh figs and apple sauce melt together on your tongue for an exquisite taste!
The food menu, designed to bring out the flavors of the cocktails even more, also includes pasta, cheese, and French fries.
We also recommend finding your own favorite combinations of drinks and snacks.
Next, we spoke with Suguru Fujiwara, who was filling in for owner Kusudo, who was on childcare leave at the time of our visit (October 2019), about what makes the bar special and the ideas behind it.
Salon de Rics information
As a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the bar is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice.
| Name | Salon de Rics |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086ｰ425-5688 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 6 p.m.–midnight (last order 11:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 25 seats Counter seats: 7 Table seats: 18 |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Salon de Rics |
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