Interview with Suguru Fujiwara, bartender at Salon de Ric’s
How the bar got started
Could you tell us how Salon de Ric’s came to open in the Bikan Historical Area?
Fujiwara
I understand that around 2014, when owner Kusudo reached the 10-year milestone after taking over the station-front sister bar, Bar Ric’s Cafe, from its previous owner, he was approached about a vacant property in the Bikan Historical Area that was about 100 years old.
That was what led to the bar opening.
It opened with the concept of “a hidden bar in a storehouse in the Bikan Historical Area at night.”
From fan to bartender: what inspired him to become a bartender
Could you tell us what inspired you to become a bartender, Fujiwara?
Fujiwara
I used to go to Bar Ric’s Cafe as a fan.
I had been working as a company employee, but I had just left my previous job and was wondering what to do next.
A classmate of mine had joined the opening staff at Salon de Ric’s.
I filled in for that classmate and worked at the bar as a part-time employee for just one day.
I was so nervous that I don’t remember much about that day.
After that, owner Kusudo asked me, “Would you like to try working with us?”
I was really happy that he asked me, even though I had no experience working in food service.
So you went from being a fan to a bartender!
Fujiwara
Yes. My family was against it at first, but I wanted to do what I wanted to do, so I decided to give it my best shot, even if it didn’t work out.
I also hoped that if I kept at it, the customers would eventually recognize my efforts.
Four years of growth, nurtured by customers
Could you share an experience from the past four years that made you glad you became a bartender?
Fujiwara
When I first started bartending, I had no confidence and couldn’t make cocktails. I was so incapable that even when serving drinks to customers, my hands would shake and I couldn’t even carry them over.
But gradually I learned to make cocktails, and started entering cocktail competitions.
Customers began complimenting me on my technique, saying things like, “The sound you make when shaking has gotten better,” and “Your cocktails are tasting better.” That gave me confidence.
They also started telling me, “You seem more relaxed when you talk,” and have watched me grow both as a bartender and as a person.
Sometimes they give me tough feedback, and sometimes they praise me.
Talking with customers across the counter has helped me grow.
I’m really glad I became a bartender.
Cocktails made with seasonal fruit are a highlight: what the bar recommends
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. Next, what would you recommend about the bar?
Fujiwara
Unlike the Bikan Historical Area during the day, there are fewer people around at night, so we hope you’ll come and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
We have a wide selection of seasonal cocktails and whiskies, so even groups of 10 can find a drink they’d like.
Our biggest draw is our seasonal fruit and cocktails with flavors suited to the season.
We offer a monthly changing drinks menu, and some customers look forward to it, so we put particular effort into it.
Fruit has its own season, so we come up with combinations we’re into at the time and, inspired by those ideas, serve recipes that are different from last year’s.
We want our regular customers who visit every day to keep enjoying fresh experiences, so we’re always thinking about creating new cocktails.
Rediscovering its appeal: what makes the Bikan Historical Area special
I heard that you were born and raised in Kurashiki. Having opened a bar in the Bikan Historical Area, what do you think makes it special?
Fujiwara
If you’re from Kurashiki City, you’ve probably visited on school trips or other school events.
I think it feels different when you visit again as an adult after a long time.
I hope that coming to this bar will help local people rediscover the Bikan Historical Area’s appeal.
I’d like local people to learn more about this bar and the Bikan Historical Area.
Finally, could you tell us about your plans for the bar going forward?
Fujiwara
The four years since the bar opened in 2014 have flown by. Before I knew it, four years had passed.
From now on, I hope to create an original world unique to this bar in the Bikan Historical Area, with a focus on Japanese-style hospitality and the quality of our cocktails.
Our bartender Hijiyama recently won the top prize in the Japanese Cocktail category at the 2019 Suntory The Cocktail Award, so this is a great opportunity for more people to learn about the bar.
I think people will expect even more from us in terms of taste, so we all need to keep improving our skills to make the experience even more enjoyable.
We’ll do our best to become a bar that represents Kurashiki, one that people feel they have to visit when they come to Kurashiki.
From the Writer
As a writer who loves fruit such as strawberries and pears, I find myself longing for a cocktail from Salon de Ric’s when those fruits are in season.
Whether smooth and creamy or sherbet-like in texture, every drink is absolutely delicious. This is the bar that got me hooked on cocktails.
The bartender’s thoughtful attention to detail and friendly conversation may make you feel so at home that you end up staying longer than planned.
“Salon de Ric’s” (Salon de Rikkusu) is a bar I recommend and hope will become one of Kurashiki’s signature establishments.
Why not stop by and discover a special original cocktail of your own?
Salon de Rics (Salon de Rics) Information
As a measure to address the novel coronavirus, hours will be 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the time being.
| Name | Salon de Rics (Salon de Rics) |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086ｰ425-5688 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 6:00 p.m.–midnight (last order at 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 (Salon de Rics) |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
