Spring has come... flowers in full bloom...
Where has the blue sky I was looking up yesterday gone? and who said we might get snow at the weekend?
Some of you may have already noticed, or I think we all have, that we are seeing the prices of products going up one, two, three or even four times.
The hardest part is that the overall price of imported foodstuffs from Japan has gone up, and is still going up. On top of that, the price of chicken has gone up by 125% and rice by 115%. It is becoming doubtful whether we will be able to make katsu curry at a price that people afford to eat it for lunch.
I had sincerely hoped that the price increase would only be a short term issue, but the situation has become unbearable.
But there are still people who have to eat lunch while they are working... So we tried to keep the prices as unchanged as possible, including the weekly menu and basic sandwiches.
And I really don't want everything to be just sad news, so I thought, as it's April in the new financial year, after Covid's restrictions are lifted, I'd like to talk about something positively new to start.
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One
Once a month, on a Sunday, I would like to run a workshop related to Japanese arts and culture, and the first one in April is 'Kintsugi' - a process of metal-joining. As there is a risk of allergic reactions to lacquer, it is a simple 'kintsugi', a method that does not use lacquer. The process can be shortened from a few weeks to half a day. In May, I may have Wagashi workshop.
Other instructors are also always welcome.
Two
We would like to start a Japanese craft group every Thursday, called Morning Coffee & Craft Club. The language can be either Japanese or English. Let's have fun chatting and making needlework goodies. We will start on 5 May and make coasters with Sashiko. (The fee depends on what you want to make, so please ask when you make your booking.)
Three
The always requested "Okonomiyaki" by everyone is back. First, we will serve it as a weekly lunch from 19 to 23 April, and from May we will be grilling okonomiyaki twice a month on Fridays in our trailer. Enjoy the Japanese street food feeling. Dates and times will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on Facebook and Instagram.
Four.
Extended opening hours until 5am.
As a recent trend, the road conditions are quite bad on top of the rising petrol prices. Therefore, we are shifting our opening hours so that staff can get to the café at the cheapest possible train times. We will serve brunch in the morning from 9.30am and lunch from 12pm until 2.30pm. Otherwise, enjoy drinks, cakes, sandwiches and sushi rolls.
Five.
The Japanese afternoon tea is back.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but reservations are required. Please book at least one week in advance.
￡18.00 per person. this will include;
Seasonal veggie sushi set + miso soup
3 pieces of seasonal Wagashi
2 seasonal fresh Jo-Namagashi
& Tea or coffee of your choice.
Sixth.
We will also have a Japanese-English language exchange.
First & third Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm. Free to attend with the purchase of food and drink from the café.
We'll give you some theme, but we'll have a good chat anyway!
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Well, now that I've made a public statement here, there's no going back!
Plans are subject to change, but everything new will be carried out in sequence.
First of all, we can't do anything without your participation, so we look forward to your requests. We look forward to seeing you.
