THE VILLAGE SPOTLIGHT
In the Village Spotlight, we showcase some of our favourite restaurants and bars in Madarao and talk to the owners about what they do.
Smokies Restaurant and Bar
Smokies Restaurant and Bar is coming to Madarao for the first time in 2018-19 ski season. Managed by the same company that does Yamadasan Lodge, they are bringing an Australian style pub-feel to the town in their newly renovated premises in the old Peppermint House.
The owners of Yamadasan Lodge and Smokies are mixed bag of Sydney-based businessmen who described themselves as being "smitten" by Madarao and as of being "in love at first sight". Within 3 days of being in Madarao after a trip to Niseko, they felt Madarao was the place to be and have put their money where their mouth is by investing in the rejuvenation of the town.
"Smokies" is all about the sausage. Not just a snag with tomato sauce, but think instead wild boar sausage topped with sour winter slaw, beetroot, bacon and whiskey apples. Or maybe lamb sausage topped with mint, feta, garlic and dill yoghurt. It also has a range of other dishes including ribs, pasta and a massive burger.
Manager Marcus Shimbel also said that their will be a big focus on bringing live music to Madarao.
Smokies will be a breath of fresh air to the night life of the town this season.
For more information check out Yamadasan Lodge at yamadasan.co/our-story/
The owners of Yamadasan Lodge and Smokies are mixed bag of Sydney-based businessmen who described themselves as being "smitten" by Madarao and as of being "in love at first sight". Within 3 days of being in Madarao after a trip to Niseko, they felt Madarao was the place to be and have put their money where their mouth is by investing in the rejuvenation of the town.
"Smokies" is all about the sausage. Not just a snag with tomato sauce, but think instead wild boar sausage topped with sour winter slaw, beetroot, bacon and whiskey apples. Or maybe lamb sausage topped with mint, feta, garlic and dill yoghurt. It also has a range of other dishes including ribs, pasta and a massive burger.
Manager Marcus Shimbel also said that their will be a big focus on bringing live music to Madarao.
Smokies will be a breath of fresh air to the night life of the town this season.
For more information check out Yamadasan Lodge at yamadasan.co/our-story/
The Lodge Cafe
The Lodge Cafe in Madarao Mountain Lodge has a family-friendly mix of Japanese and Western food. The chef, Mayuko Stahnke, has worked in restaurants in both Australia and Japan and has operated her own catering business in the Byron Bay area of Australia. With Japanese delicacies like sushi and sashimi, along side Australian pub staples like nachos, fish and chips and chicken parmigiana, diners can experience something from both worlds.
The fully stocked bar has cocktails, Aussie wines, local sake and craft beers. Mayuko said that she was surprised by how much foreigners were turning on to Japanese sake. "we serve our sake in traditional Japanese wooden masu, which foreign people really love"
The Lodge Cafe is the perfect place for families and groups to have a great meal at the end of the day.
www.madaraoskilodge.com
Drop Off Bar
Originally called Imai Tokoro restaurant the Drop Off Bar was the first foreign run bar in the Madarao strip. Drop Off Bar was started by Action Snow Sports ski school boss, Peter Hillman, and offers a delicious mix of Japanese Fusion cuisine and other Tapas inspired dishes.
"Before Drop Off Bar, there weren't any other bars where foreign tourists could really hang out" said Peter. Starting in 2016, Peter was a pioneer of the "new evolution" of Madarao into a more modern, funky ski resort. Serving coffee, beers and great wine, as well introducing apre favourites like the "Saki Bomb", Peter really helped to kick start the night scene in Madarao.
For more on Drop Off Bar, check this link out
http://www.actionsnowsports.com/drop-off-bar-restaurant/
"Before Drop Off Bar, there weren't any other bars where foreign tourists could really hang out" said Peter. Starting in 2016, Peter was a pioneer of the "new evolution" of Madarao into a more modern, funky ski resort. Serving coffee, beers and great wine, as well introducing apre favourites like the "Saki Bomb", Peter really helped to kick start the night scene in Madarao.
For more on Drop Off Bar, check this link out
http://www.actionsnowsports.com/drop-off-bar-restaurant/
The Shaggy Yak
What was once a yurt in front of Snowball Chalet has now moved uptown. Co-owned by some of the the towns lodge owners, the Shaggy Yak is bringing a range of craft beers, Japanese whiskeys, izakaya-style treats and vinyl records to town.
Located right in the Madarao strip, it has become a standard stopover amongst visitors wanting to bar hop until late into the night. But it also has a range of Japanese influenced food such as karaage chicken, nikujaga stew, daikon salad and pickles. They also have the Shaggy Shop that has a range of gear that will help you to hook into the powder. Not just your average rental shop, the Shaggy Shop can rent you beacons, airbags and powder boards from Jones Snowboards.
There's something for everyone at the Shaggy Yak!
www.shaggyyak.com
Located right in the Madarao strip, it has become a standard stopover amongst visitors wanting to bar hop until late into the night. But it also has a range of Japanese influenced food such as karaage chicken, nikujaga stew, daikon salad and pickles. They also have the Shaggy Shop that has a range of gear that will help you to hook into the powder. Not just your average rental shop, the Shaggy Shop can rent you beacons, airbags and powder boards from Jones Snowboards.
There's something for everyone at the Shaggy Yak!
www.shaggyyak.com
Unjaune A.K.A. "The Burger Joint"
Unjaune was started in 2015 in Hakuba but has since branched out into Madarao. Located in the Madarao strip next to the Shaggy Yak, the two make an irresistible duo when it comes to bar hopping in Madarao.
Unjaune, A.K.A the Burger joint due to its incomprehensible name, is a favourite for visitors and mountain staff alike. It has a great range of burgers that are huge. Once the food orders die down though, it then becomes a place of `night shenanigans` and goes late into the night. There are beer bongs, there are shot skis...there are shenanigans.
Unjaune, A.K.A the Burger joint due to its incomprehensible name, is a favourite for visitors and mountain staff alike. It has a great range of burgers that are huge. Once the food orders die down though, it then becomes a place of `night shenanigans` and goes late into the night. There are beer bongs, there are shot skis...there are shenanigans.