Karuizawa recommendations

[Asomaniac]

We are in Karuizawa until 3 January. Any recommendations for any type of good quality restaurant (any cuisine, any price) would be most gratefully appreciated. Staying at Hoshinoya which has incredible kaiseki, inoshishi nabe and shabu-shabu but anything other than that would be great. Karuizawa has never struck me as a culinary Mecca but then again I never bothered doing much research.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

[chowmouse]

You're not there anymore, but just wanted to chime in to say Karuizawa has some amazing European-style bakeries and cafes. Don't remember any names but they're all in that old Karuizawa section of town.

[Asomaniac]

No matter as I'll be back at least once a year - Hoshinoya is one of the most relaxing places I know - so thanks for the recommendation.

[FourSeasons]

How is the food at Hoshinoya?

[Asomaniac]

It is excellent, very very good kaiseki. I thoroughly recommend it. They do particuarly amazing tofu (it's their specialty - when I went in the Smmer, they had soramame tofu, this time it was leek tofu - absolutely delicious), and there are some interesting twists, like an incredible venison broth for example.

Having said that, the meal was not nearly as mindblowing this time as it was when I went in June. Still very good, but less memorable.

They have a very good sake list, with some extremely rare sakes, well worth visiting just for that.

[Uncle Yabai]

You should check out the Wakadori. That place is a gas, the guy who runs it is the Nagayama-san of yakitori-don. On a less folkloric note, check out the Suju Masayuki restaurant.

[Asomaniac]

Wow, THAT guy? Must try it. Thanks for the recommendations. Any luck with Saito?

[Uncle Yabai]

Not yet, awaiting the concierge dialing for dollars at 12:01 AM on January 5th.