After work in October 2019, I casually stopped by a second bar near Hibarigaoka Station, just a 15-minute walk from Shin-Sapporo. The exterior didn't look like it belonged in Atsubetsu Ward, it had a stylish vibe. During weekdays from 6-8 pm, they have a HAPPY HOUR with draft beer, highballs, and cocktails for 380 yen. Intrigued by the sign, I decided to check it out. The bar had a long counter and tall chairs that required a bit of effort to climb onto. The cocktail menu was limited for a bar, and the regular prices were not Atsubetsu standard. There was a charge of 330 yen (probably). And guess what! They served Jamon Serrano, which was a pleasant surprise. I ordered the smoked dish recommended on the blackboard, and the soft-boiled egg was perfect. The cheese was like regular baby cheese, I personally wanted a bit more smoky flavor. Oh, what's this? They brought something over! It was a basil stir-fry with tiny scallops. It was a service dish, but the scallops were so small, almost like clams. I also had a refill of white wine and the total bill was around 1600 yen. It seems to get busier later in the evening. Overall, it was a nice meal.

Welcome.---------- July 2016 ----------Take the No. 3 exit of Hibarigaoka Station on the Nanago-dori Subway Line, walk towards Shinsatsu, and you will find a building with a sign "Welcome♪". The restaurant has a counter and tables, with a semi-private seating area towards the back. The wall behind the counter is designed like a bar. It seems like there are only two staff members, one in charge of serving and the other in charge of cooking. The atmosphere is more like a dining bar than a regular bar, with similar prices to bars in the city center. To start, I tried the Chicken Harusame Salad with Sesame Mayo dressing, which was refreshing. The Harusame noodles were a bit of a cheat for a salad, but it worked well. The daily special was Chicken Breast Fritters, which were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich flavor. It would be nice if they could offer a mix of two different types of seasoning for the fritters. Next, I tried the Chicken Liver Pate, which had a stronger salty taste but a smooth texture. It seemed like the liver flavor was subdued by the rich taste. The dish was served with crispy baguette slices, which were so good that I asked for seconds. Lastly, I had the nostalgic-style Napolitan pasta, with bacon, onions, bell peppers, and ketchup. The pasta was slightly chewy, with a generous amount of fresh ketchup. It felt like a blast from the past. This restaurant is probably the closest one to the station, but it seems like the locals do not visit often. There were many young people dining there. Thank you for the meal.

Today's dinner was at "Atsubetsu Bar Es'-fresco". I made a reservation for a course with all-you-can-drink on Tabelog before entering. We were guided to the table seat at the far end. When I mentioned using a coupon, the female owner in charge of the floor said that the coupon cannot be used with the all-you-can-drink course. I explained that it was not written in the conditions, and she said she would check, so please wait a moment. In the end, the coupon could not be used. Thanks to the cheap performance, I feel like my stomach is full. The first drink was Lambrusco. I also had a Caesar salad. The fresh vegetables had a good crunchy texture with a balance of bitterness and sweetness. The color looked good, but it was hard to enjoy due to the poor lighting. It was nice that they used Jamon Serrano, but there was not enough cheese, and I was unsatisfied with the saltiness and richness. I switched to white wine, but it was strangely sweet and lacked acidity. Is this really white wine? It is classified as white wine, not methyl alcohol mixed with Pocari. The shrimp and broccoli ajillo used whole and peeled red shrimp, but there was too much oil and not enough garlic. Even when I ate the baguette soaked in oil, it lacked punch. The next mixed fry assortment was recommended to eat Camembert cheese with honey, and when I tried it, the balance of saltiness and sweetness was good, and it was delicious for the first time at this restaurant. I also had ham-wrapped taro and avocado with truffle salt, but there were thin asparagus and burdock roots, making it feel more like an izakaya. In the first place, they would taste better if they were sautéed or deep-fried. I didn't feel any commitment as a bar. I switched to red wine, but it was strangely sweet and lacked bitterness. After that, I had herb-grilled Sakura-hime chicken with creamy mashed potatoes. I chose Bolognese over pizza or spaghetti. The meal ended without dessert.

When passing through Minamisato Street, I noticed a shop that had caught my eye before. On a weekend evening after finishing up some errands nearby, I decided to drop by. Upon entering the shop, there was a counter seat right away, with booth seating and private rooms further back. I started off by quenching my thirst with a beer, ordering a draft beer and saying cheers. As I enjoyed the appetizer, I also ordered the recommended fish carpaccio from the chalkboard menu. The carpaccio was like a salad with a Japanese-style dressing, refreshing and easy to eat. Next, for beer and wine snacks, I chose the smoked platter, which was a hit! There were four types in total, including cod roe and camembert cheese. The chicken cartilage was also included, which had a good volume to it and paired well with alcohol. The saltiness of the cod roe and the crunchy texture of the cartilage can last for about an hour, making it perfect for drinks. Lastly, I felt like ending with a meat dish, so I went for the spicy chicken. The tomato sauce had a rich flavor, and the portion size was good. Although it's a bar, the food was surprisingly delicious at this place! Next time, I'd like to try their pizza and pasta. Thank you for the meal. Smoked platter.