Look, I love Japanese food. But when you're travelling around Japan, or even living here in Sapporo, there comes a point when you just want something that doesn't involve miso, soy sauce or dashi for once.
If you're craving something a bit more European, VOCCI is a good shout.
This cosy little restaurant in Sapporo serves Italian and Spanish-inspired dishes, along with a decent selection of wines.
Now, don't walk in expecting the same food you'd get at a proper Italian trattoria or a tapas bar in Spain. Some dishes have their own Japanese twist, and it's not strictly an Italian or Spanish restaurant.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The food is good, there's plenty of wine to choose from, and it's a lovely spot to spend an evening when you're missing European flavours.
Oh, and apparently, VOCCI is named after the owner's cat. Which, frankly, is a perfectly good reason to name a restaurant.
Sometimes you just need a break from Japanese food. Nothing wrong with that, even in Japan.