I visited Chirai in the town of Engaru. I made a reservation just in case, as I often see on Instagram that they get fully booked for the day. Luckily, I was able to secure a reservation the day before. When I arrived on the day, there was a long line of people waiting in front of the container bakery aman, located in front of Chirai. It seems to be quite popular. Inside Chirai, there is a large tapestry of Ito (a rare fish found only in Hokkaido). I learned that the name "Chirai" comes from the Ainu language for this fish. I didn't know that. I looked at the menu and ended up ordering the White Birch set for lunch, which includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. The appetizer was Hirame carpaccio from Yoichi, surrounded by fresh summer vegetables. Under the paprika, there was chicken paste that complemented the flavors nicely. The main course was instant-smoked pork from a nearby Ise Farm (known for its blue cheese). I also had bread from aman, including a Campanile made with buckwheat flour and a soft bread with beans and grains. The instant-smoked pork was flavorful and tender, with a nice smoky taste. For dessert, I had star anise gelato, which was a refreshing finish to the meal. Another customer ordered curry, which caught my attention. I'll have to try that next time.

[Harunire Course] 3,600 yen + Half Blue Cheese Quiche (900 yen) Total 4,050 yen Amuse-bouche (ham bacon, blue cheese honey, additional blue cheese quiche) Appetizer (bonito tataki & spear squid) Potato vichyssoise Garlic sauce with sticky pork Tiramisu & Basque-style cheesecake with blue cheese No coffee or tea for dessert.. (´･_･`)

I heard that they use blue cheese from Echigo Danbe, so I visited. The blue cheese quiche was excellent! I had the one-plate lunch, and everything was of high quality. Especially the pumpkin soup was so flavorful with a strong pumpkin taste. I'm not a big fan of blue cheese, but I love cheesecake, so I shared the blue cheese cheesecake with my partner. They kindly accommodated our request. The staff were very friendly, and I would love to visit again if I have the chance.

It would take about 30 minutes by car from the center of Asahikawa to this French restaurant that opened last summer in the rich natural surroundings of "Etanbetsu". The building exudes the warmth of wood and blends seamlessly into nature. I ordered the "Lunch Course White Birch" (2,200 yen including tax), which includes seasonal appetizers, main dishes, and dessert. For drinks, I ordered an "Iced Coffee" (320 yen) after the meal. First, the appetizer was brought out: "Etanbetsu-grown pesticide-free vegetable and homemade smoked salmon salad". The colorful array of vegetables looked very fresh and juicy. The homemade smoked salmon was flavorful and had a melt-in-your-mouth texture, making the appetizer very satisfying. For the main dish, I had "Rusutsu pork barbecue-style and salted roast". The plate was adorned with hard cheese from Asahikawa Arakawa Ranch. The barbecue-style pork was deliciously grilled and fragrant. When combined with the cheese, the flavor became even richer. The salted roast had a soft and tender texture, and the roasted vegetables served alongside were also very tasty. It was a satisfying dish. For dessert, I had "Orange-flavored Moelleux Chocolat, Panna Cotta, and Coffee Jelly". The Moelleux Chocolat was a light chocolate cake with a nice ganache flavor. When paired with the whipped cream and raspberry sauce provided, the taste changed and became more enjoyable. The coffee jelly was made with coffee from Sapporo's "Samurai Coffee". The bitterness of the coffee jelly paired well with the sweetness of the panna cotta, creating a balanced flavor. I enjoyed the dessert along with the iced coffee. Even though I thought "Etanbetsu" was a distant area from Asahikawa city, it was a fresh discovery to find such a wonderful French restaurant that offers such delightful dishes!

I went to a French restaurant in Etanbetsu in autumn, known for its cow and calf, and famous for its blue cheese in Etanbetsu, Ise Farm made a cheesecake with that cheese, so I made a reservation and went to buy it. The French restaurant & cafe "Chirai" is located at 121-1 Chuo, Etanbetsu-cho, Asahikawa City, map here https://goo.gl/maps/YGPP9yBnyPZoaK7QA Business hours are 11:00-14:00, 14:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00, closed on Mondays. Parking available, non-smoking. Dinner from 17:00 requires reservation. As soon as the reservation for the cheesecake was announced on Chirai's Facebook, I immediately sent a reservation message. After all, I love blue cheese (*´∀｀). On the day of pickup, I headed to Etanbetsu while shoveling snow. As expected, it's snowy. Although there seemed to be quite a few reservations, there were also some available at the store. The blue cheese cheesecake from Etanbetsu costs 2500 yen including tax. It's quite large, but it can be kept in the refrigerator for 7 days and in the freezer for 1 month, so it's reassuring. Oh, I'll probably finish it quickly though. The appearance and the scent are just amazing. Oh... it's irresistible. The bottom is lined with cookie dough. This cheesecake is so moist and soft, and it sticks quite a bit to the case. I thought about how to take it out of the case, but in the end, I inserted a small knife around all four sides and unfolded the case. Probably the only way to take it out neatly. It's very moist. It feels smooth and creamy. And the scent of blue cheese. However, it's not as strong as when you eat cheese, it's just enough to feel the distinctive aroma, not "smells so good♪". It's a really exquisite balance. The taste, with the blue cheese being properly utilized, combined with the sweetness of the cheesecake, allows you to enjoy a delicious and unique flavor. It's a well-made impression. Especially for blue cheese lovers, this is a must-try masterpiece. [Tabelog]

A friend posted a photo on SNS, and it looked like a French restaurant in the Etanbetsu area! It looked so delicious that I couldn't resist and went there right away! The French restaurant & cafe "Chirai" is located at 121-1 Chuo, Etanbetsu-cho, Asahikawa City. The opening hours are 11:00-14:00, 14:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00, closed on Mondays. Parking available, non-smoking. Dinner from 17:00 requires a reservation. The restaurant is located near the Etanbetsu Elementary and Junior High School. The lunch menu includes curry, and the dinner menu is also available. I ordered the Spring Course for lunch, which included an amuse-bouche, appetizer, soup, main dish, and dessert. The quiche with blue cheese was delicious, and the grilled pork main dish was flavorful and satisfying. The dessert was a walnut caramel cake and cheese mousse, which was a perfect ending to the meal. Overall, the French cuisine at Chirai was enjoyable, with a focus on bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients. The cost of the course was reasonable, but it may be more cost-effective to order individual items from the menu. I was impressed with the quality of the food and will definitely be returning to try other dishes on the menu.

I had been hearing about it recently, but I had almost forgotten about it... Ebutsubetsu? Where is that? That was the feeling I had until I happened to see it being introduced on TV at my favorite restaurant, Chirai-san. It seems they specialize in blue cheese with various toppings... I'm not a big fan of blue cheese, but I have been slowly overcoming my aversion to domestic blue cheese. The blue cheese I had in Canada a long time ago was so intense that it made me go "awawawa" as soon as it touched my tongue... If the menu was full of blue cheese dishes, I was worried about what to do... But it was okay. They also have curry on the menu. The chef's skills are something to look forward to as well. The Spring Oak lunch course costs 3200 yen (excluding tax) and includes amuse-bouche, today's appetizer, today's soup, seasonal main dish, and today's dessert. Drinks are not included in the price, and there is no set discount. The ingredients are handled with care and love, and the dishes look beautiful. The blue cheese quiche, in particular, was delicious. They also carefully select fresh vegetables, meat, and fish from various regions, and each dish was explained in detail. Recently, there have been more and more stylish, beautiful, and delicious restaurants in Asahikawa where you can enjoy lunch for around 1500-3000 yen. My impression this time was that the one-plate lunch (1800 yen) had the best content. The dessert and drink are not included, but it was still good value. From October, the Spring Oak lunch will be 3520 yen. I wonder if that price increase is worth it? I'm starting to feel like going there again.

Chirai is a 30-minute drive from my childhood home in Asahikawa. I was unable to drink wine as I was driving, but I enjoyed a delicious lunch.

I ordered a cheesecake made with cheese from Edamame and tried it. The Basque cheesecake is richer than any I have ever eaten, and is a must-try for blue cheese lovers. Of course, the blue cheese cake is also rich and has a strong flavor. These cakes can also be enjoyed as a snack with alcohol.

★The only French restaurant in Erimo★