The calm atmosphere of the night in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Area is charming, unlike the bustling daytime.
At night, you can enjoy a leisurely time while gazing at the buildings and streetlights reflected on the surface of the Kurashiki River.
Along the river in the Bikan Historical Area, an adult hideaway bar opened in June 2014.
It is a bar where you can enjoy original cocktails centered around seasonal fruits, renovated from the storehouse of a traditional house over 100 years old.
The bartender, who has experience winning cocktail competitions, shakes up drinks at "Salon de Rics (サロン・ド・リックス)."
We will introduce cocktails that offer an exceptional experience and the charm of the establishment.
What is Salon de Ric’s (サロン・ド・リックス)
The bar "Salon de Ric’s (サロン・ド・リックス)" was born from the renovation of a traditional house's storehouse.
The owner of "Bar Ric’s Cafe (バー・リックスカフェ)", located along Kurashiki Motomachi Street, is Ms. Kusuto, a female bartender with numerous cocktail competition victories.
In 2014, marking her 10th year as an owner, Ms. Kusuto opened "Salon de Ric’s (サロン・ド・リックス)" as her second store within the Bikan Historical Area.
Unlike her sister store "Bar Ric’s Cafe (バー・リックスカフェ)", which is easily accessible within a 5-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, "Salon de Ric’s" is slightly farther from the station, aiming to create a place that people will "seek out."
The name was chosen with the hope that it would become a "social space" where local residents can enjoy drinks together.
One of the attractions is that it opens relatively early at 6 PM, making it a great place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink.
▲ There are 7 counter seats.
▲ By the window, there are 2 round tables with a total of 8 seats.
▲ The table seats in the semi-private room at the back are non-smoking and can also be used for groups of up to 10 people.
As I looked around the store, I discovered a stylish stained glass window!
I have visited the store many times, but I noticed it for the first time during this interview.
Please be sure to look for it.
A monthly changing menu that makes you want to visit. The award-winning cocktail "Harum (春夢)" from the 2019 Suntory The Cocktail Award.
Salon de Ric’s (サロン・ド・リックス) is recommended for its original cocktails made with seasonal fruits.
The recommended menu for October 2019, when I visited for the interview, features fruits such as figs, muscat grapes, persimmons, and pears, making it hard to decide what to order.
I ordered "Harum (春夢)", which won the grand prize at the "2019 Suntory The Cocktail Award."
▲ The ingredients used in "Harum (春夢)" are these 5 types.
- Japanese craft vodka "HAKU"
- Japanese craft liqueur "Kanade (奏)〈white peach〉"
- Suntory liqueur "Japonais (ジャポネ)〈sakura〉"
- Watsunagi ginger
- Fresh lemon juice
"Harum (春夢)" is an original cocktail created by Tsuchiya Asuka (土屋 明日香), the bartender at "Salon de Rics (サロン・ド・リックス)".
It was created with the concept of representing the cherry blossoms that symbolize spring in Japan, expressing the fleeting beauty of the fully bloomed cherry blossoms and the culture and heart of the Japanese people who appreciate that scenery.
It is a short cocktail with a transparent, pale pink color.
The fantastical color that represents the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms is truly enchanting.
The spicy Japanese-style accent of ginger adds a refreshing touch, and the aftertaste is crisp and clean.
It is a cocktail with a mature flavor that has a strong alcohol presence.
Next, from the recommended menu for October 2019, is the "Fresh Fig Sangria Cocktail".
It is easy to drink even for those who are not fond of red wine, with a subtly sweet flavor.
You can fully enjoy the texture of the fruit pulp, making it a cocktail with a delightful, thick mouthfeel.
Chocolates made exclusively for the bar, like jewels. Enjoy them with drinks.
"Atelier Airgead (アールガッド)" creates chocolates that are only supplied to bars with professional bartenders.
"Atelier Airgead (アールガッド)" is a shop that makes high-quality chocolates specifically for bars, crafted by hand to be enjoyed with drinks.
From the left, the five varieties are "Miso," "Porcini," "Poivre Rose," "Coconut Marron," and "Yuzu Herb."
The chocolates in the wooden box look just like jewels!
I was advised on the recommended pairings for each cocktail and chose "Yuzu Herb" and "Coconut Marron."
The "Coconut Marron," which pairs well with fruity cocktails, offers a bitter taste that allows you to enjoy the aroma of coconut.
The "Yuzu Herb" has a delicate melting sensation, with a subtle yuzu aroma and a refined herbal scent that spreads gently in your mouth.
This luxurious chocolate, which is hard to come by, is definitely worth savoring with some alcohol.
The Duck Prosciutto is usually made with dried figs, but during the fig season, you can enjoy fresh figs, making it one of the popular menu items.
The perfect saltiness of the duck, the rich flavor of the mascarpone cheese, and the sweetness of fresh figs and apple sauce create an exquisite taste that melts on the tongue!
The food menu, which enhances the deliciousness of the cocktails, also includes pasta, cheese, and French fries.
I also recommend exploring your favorite combinations of drinks and snacks.
Next, I spoke with Suguru Fujiwara, who was filling in for the owner, Kusuto, who was on parental leave at the time of the interview (October 2019), about the charm and thoughts behind the shop.
Salon de Rics (サロン・ド・リックス) Data
As a measure against the novel coronavirus, the business hours will temporarily be from 4 PM to 11 PM.
| Name | Salon de Rics (サロン・ド・リックス) |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-425-5688 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 6 PM to 12 AM (Last order at 11:30 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservations | Available |
| Seating | 25 seats Counter seats: 7 Table seats: 18 |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Salon de Rics (サロン・ド・リックス) |
