On July 22, the cafe dining "FAVORITE THINGS" (Hirosaki City Ekimaecho, TEL 0172-88-9902) opened in front of JR Hirosaki Station.

The same restaurant that offers dining menus, champagne and wine. The name of the store is derived from John Coltrane's "My Favorite Swings". “This year marks the 50th anniversary of Coltrane's death. The day I died was close to the opening day, and I feel destined,” says the owner, Naoki Yoshizaki.

Mr. Yoshizaki became interested in the hotel industry as a part-time job at a hotel while attending Hirosaki University. After graduating from university, he moved to Tokyo to work for a foreign-affiliated hotel. He has gained a career in the workplace such as wedding and bartending, and has also worked overseas. After returning home in 2013, he started working at a hotel in Hirosaki City and started thinking about independence.

It opened at the site of a beauty salon that closed in April. Mr. Yoshizaki recalls, "In the beginning, the restaurant business was refused, but I was able to negotiate somehow because I could not give up because of my nature." The store area is 48 tsubo and the number of seats is 63. We prepare different types of seats, such as counter seats for one person, table seats, private rooms that can accommodate up to 24 people.

“I would like to offer food that only our restaurant can offer, rather than local ingredients,” says Yoshizaki. "For the appetizer plate (1,000 yen), we are thinking about 8 kinds of platters on a weekly basis. We want to talk with the chef, always incorporate new ones, and reflect them in the menu," he said.

Menus include dinner menus such as "California & Spider Sushi roll" (800 yen) and "Pizza Margherita" (1,200 yen), share-style "lobster oven baking" (4,200 yen), domestic beef fillet steak (3,200 yen), etc. Offer. Drinks include various cocktails (800 yen and up), white wine (3,700 yen and up), red wine (3,750 yen and up), and luxury champagne such as "Louis Roderaire Crystal" (32,000 yen).

We also offer catering services such as a 120-minute free drink (4,500 yen) including sparkling wine and a creative lunch (1,000 yen ~) with 5 dinner menus. Customers who order 1,000 yen or more will receive a 3-hour parking ticket at a nearby parking lot.

A month has passed since it opened, and repeaters are increasing. A new lunch time will be set up, starting with a cheeseburger (1,280 yen), an egg Benedict (780 yen), and a Japanese set meal for only 10 meals a day (1,500 yen). Mr. Yoshizaki said, "Hirosaki has a smaller population than Tokyo and is a local city, but there are real-minded customers who are as good as or better than Tokyo. I feel pressure, but there are plenty of business opportunities."

Business hours are from 11:30 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 24:00. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.