Conscientious cakes of Chez Chima

I bought cakes of "Chez Chima (シェ・シーマ)", a cake shop of Ichigawa (市ヶ谷) at Isetan Sinjyuku (伊勢丹新宿).They have several branches in Tokyo and one of which is located in Isetan, a posh department store. Chez Chima is famous for "creme d'angel" and cream puff (for your information, their cream puff is often sold out before early-evening). 

Mango parfait

Creme d'angel

Peach cake

Mont blanc cassis

The creme d'angel was definitely good. Combination of whipped cream cheese and rich raspberry sauce was unmistakable. Other cakes were also not so showiness, but the taste was sophisticated. One piece of cake costs around JPY450, relatively reasonable compared to other cake shops in Isetan. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Chez Chima (シェ・シーマ) http://www.chezcima.co.jp/index.html      

Super birthday cake of Patissier Inamura Shozo

For the birthday of my boy, I reserved a whole cake of "Patissier Inamura Shozo (パティシエ　イナムラショウゾウ, see the previous post)", my most favorite cake shop. When I visited there to receive, Mr. Inamura himself prepared and showed me the cake. It was very impressive! I love the professional and diligent attitude of the chef. (By the way, for your information, queue was short in the morning (am 10-11) even on weekend. If you make reservation, you don't have to stand in a queue). 

Strawberry birthday cake of "Patissier Inamura Shozo" 

Happy Birthday!

The taste was definitely wonderful! Sponge cake was soft and airy. The aroma of good egg and butter was rich. Fresh cream was very rich and milky. Strawberry topped with its jam became much more sweet. Each element was perfect and the combination was superb! Their cakes never disappoint my expectations. My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Patissier Inamura Shozo (パティシエ　イナムラショウゾウ) http://www.inamura.jp/index.html 

Japanese sweets cafe at University of Tokyo

One of the superb Japanese restaurants which we can't easily make reservations is now "Kurogi (くろぎ)" in Yushima (湯島). The chef was selected as an iron chef for the famous TV program. The Kurogi has opened its sweets shop and cafe in last May on the property of the University of Tokyo (東京大学). The name is "Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ)". 　

Kuriyakashi Kurogi

Inside

Bean cake and coffee

Chestnut cake and coffee

The building of the cafe is very modern and stylish. Contrary, sweets they serve is very traditional and orthodox. A new feature is having Japanese sweets with coffee (usually, we eat those with green tea/green powdered tea). The coffee itself is also a special blend of "Sarutahiko Coffee", a famous coffee shop. 

Both of bean cake and chestnut cake were delicate. Coffee was also good (a bit wasy). The disadvantage point might be price. Coffee per person costs JPY860. Bean cake is JPY370. A bit high. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadsehita!

Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ) http://www.wagashi-kurogi.co.jp/  

Old fashioned cakes loved by a postwar thinker in Honkomagome

Just in front of the Komagome hospital in Honkomagome (本駒込), there is an old cake shop named "Sthorer (ストレル)" whose history is since 1958. Their nostalgic atmosphere is cool. Price setting is also cool. One piece of cake is around JPY400. In the shop, signature of Yoshimoto Takaaki (吉本隆明), a thinker who had a huge influence on the new left wing in the postwar era is decorated. The thinker allegedly lived neighborhood and loved the cakes of Sthorer.

Moca roll

Chocolate cake

Mont blanc

But the taste was...just old fashioned. In principle, I like traditional and old things with history, but this old style was...just old. It seemed they didn't use good quality of cream, chocolate, etc. and the taste became less tasty... I wish such a shop could continue business for the next 50 years, but to do so, some kind of efforts of renovation might be necessary. My rating is 2.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! 

Sthorer (ストレル)  http://r.gnavi.co.jp/msn610gm0000/

Fresh tasty tart from Kobe

"A la campagne (ア・ラ・カンパーニュ)" is a fresh tart chain originally from Kobe (神戸). Their shop is so cute and lovely that girls cannot pass! Variety of fresh tart are like jewels. They've expanded their business around Tokyo and, for instance, you can try their tarts at "atre Akihabara (アトレ秋葉原)", "atre Meguro (アトレ目黒)," etc. 

Walnut tart

Fruits tart 

Their tart costs around JPY700 per peice (not cheap!), but worth for it! Not only their popular fruits tart, but also walnut tart was impressive. Balance of bitter cocoa tart and filling of fresh chocolate cream including chopped nut was very nice. Even so..., compared to similar tart shop of "Qu'il fait bon (see the previous post)", "A la campagne" may lose ("Qu'il fait bon" is nearly perfect!). My rating is 3.9 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! (but I wonder why the names of good tart shops in Japan are French....).    

A la campagne (ア・ラ・カンパーニュ) http://www.alacampagne.jp/index.html

The last shop of Anna Miller's in Shinagawa

"Annna Miller's (アンナ・ミラーズ)", a chain of american diner whose specialty is variety of pie and whose sexy uniform of waitress is quite famous, expanded in Tokyo until 1990s. However, their business environment drastically changed and there was no choice that most of their restaurants closed. Now, their last shop is survived only in Shinagawa (品川), and I visited it with friend/babies.

Anna Miller's

Inside

Clubhouse sandwich 

Hamburger

Apple pie

Cream banana pie 

Coffee

Lunch is available around JPY1,000. Clubhouse sandwich costs JPY1,240 and hamburger costs JPY920. If you pay JPY460 additionally, a drink and a pie (your choice) are inclusive.
Hamburger was good at average. But pie was unfortunately not delicious. Too sweet/big to eat. It would prove fatal if their specialty is not attractive...Even so, as a cafe, the atmosphere was cozy and good for baby. Staff putting sexy uniform was also kind enough.

My rating....is 3.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Annna Miller's (アンナ・ミラーズ)   http://www.imuraya.co.jp/brand/anna/index.html

Crepe Suzette at Henri Charupentier in Ginza

A cafe of Henri Charupentier (アンリ・シャルパンティエ), a Japanese confectionery, located in Ginza (銀座) is always crowded. Most customers look for "crepe suzette" which a French chef, Henri Charupentier whose name is used for the confectionery allegedly made for the first time in the 19th century. Not only the taste, but also beautiful demonstration of blue fire with rich aroma of caramel, orange and Grand Marnier strongly attract customers so long.  

Henri Charupentier Ginza

Cake shop (ground floor)

Cafe (underground)

entrance of cafe

Just ｆlambeing in front of us!

Crepe Suzette

Earl Gray

Milile-feuille with peach

The interior is also interesting. Black and pink colored tea room with copies of painting of Ecole de Fontainebleau makes elegant but mysterious atmosphere. In contrast, every staff is cheerful and kind. Without elevator, they kindly assisted us to bring baby buggy on stairs (thanks a lot!). 

As for the taste, crepe suzette was definitely charming (though mille-feuille was so-so). Crepe suzette costs JPY1,620, Mille-feuille with fruits costs JPY1,512, and tea (earl gray) costs JPY800. It is a bit expensive for tea, but it is worth for visiting to see the tea room and demonstration of crepe suzette once. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! One more thing. Restroom of this cafe is very unique. Can you find the door of restroom? If you visit, try to find it!

Henri Charupentier (アンリ・シャルパンティエ) http://www.suzette-shop.jp/henri 

Cute cakes designed by a French jewel designer

"Mademoiselle C (マドモアゼル C)" is a cake shop where lovely cakes designed by a French jewel designer are displayed on showcase. Every cake is very cute that girls/women can not pass in front. Pink, pastel-color, heart and flower which girls like are motif of their cakes.    

Short cake

Flower ball

In contrast to the lovely appearance, the taste is quite normal. I don't buy their cakes for taste, but as a gift, particularly for female friend/family, it might be a good option. One piece of cake costs around JPY540. Available at NIhonbashi Mitsukoshi. I recommend you to just see their lovely show-case! My rating is 3.4 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Mademoiselle C (マドモアゼル C) http://www.mademoiselle-c.jp/index

Nice oblong cakes of KOBE KITANO HOTEL

On the underground of Shin-Marunouchi Building, we can buy products of KOBE KITANO HOTEL (神戸北野ホテル), an elegant auberge of Kobe. The shop is "igrekplus (イグレックプリュス)" , only one branch in Tokyo other than Kansai area. Different from the graceful atmosphere of the hotel (please check their site, particularly photos in Japanese version!), the shop is casual. The price is not also so high. I don' t know the reason, but it might be a strategy to get many people know their taste first.

Cake of raspberry 

Cake of maple

Most of their cakes are shaped oblong and simple. In terms of the appearance, their cakes may look less attractive compared to other shops. I also had not expected so much. However, the taste was very rich and well balanced. Various elements are staffed in the oblong figure. As for a cake of maple, combination of rich maple mousse, creme brulee of praline chocolate, caramel nuts and crispy diced cookies was very nice! I My rating is 4.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

igrekplus (イグレックプリュス) http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a634229/

KOBE KITANO HOTEL (神戸北野ホテル) http://www.kobe-kitanohotel.co.jp/top/

Shin-Marunouchi Building http://www.marunouchi.com/top/shinmaru.html#areaWrapper

Perfect parfait of Senbikiya!

Senbikiya, the most posh fruit shop since 1834 (see the previous post) has been nowadays divided into three different companies and "Senbikiya-sohonten(千疋屋総本店)" is leading other twos. Their flagship shop and restaurant are located in Nihonbashi, but a cafe has been newly opened in "KITTE (キッテ)" just in front of the JR Tokyo main Station (東京駅). The cafe has become a new sightseeing spot and there is always a queue.      

Senbiliya-sohonten in KITTE

Inside

Mango curry and rice

Mango parfait and peach juice

Cafe menu is so fascinating that I can't easily decide what to take. One of their specialty is mango curry and rice (JPY1,296). Japanese-style beef curry using mango is fruity and mild. Not sweet but very rich and complex. Delicious!

And parfait using seasonal fruit is recommendable. When I visited, mango was seasonal. I had hesitated to order mango parfait seeing the price of JPY2,800, but it was a correct answer to have it!! Only ripe mangos of Miyazaki, the highest quality brand in Japan are used for parfait. Soooo sweet and tasty!! Fresh cream and ice cream are also premium. I think I can't find such a perfect parfait other than there. The price is not inexpensive, but it is worth for trying! My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Senbikiya-sohonten (千疋屋総本店) http://www.sembikiya.co.jp/index.php    

KITTE (キッテ) http://jptower-kitte.jp/

Women's favorite cafe that there are always lines

Cafes of HARBS (ハーブス) (see the previous post) are always crowded everywhere, particularly at lunch time. Mostly, women are waiting patiently in front of the cafe for lunch set meal which consists of a salad, a pasta, a cake (half size) and a drink. Except salad, you can select from variety of menu. The set costs JPY1,500. As cakes of HARBS costs around JPY800, an inclusive half cake might be appealing for women (and women generally like pasta).  

HARBS Cafe

Salad

Spaghetti with tomato sauce and mozzarella

Fresh cheese cake and tea

Contrary to the below Komeda Coffee, the portion is small. The taste of pasta is not bad. Cake is definitely good (though it seems a bit smaller than the half:) and most appealing cakes using much fresh fruits are not on the list). Nonetheless, the elegant interior and comfortable sofa might be the key of popularity for women. After lunch, chatting long in the nice environment with cake and tea must be ideal. My rating for the cafe is 3.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

HARBS (ハーブス)  http://www.harbs.co.jp/harbs/concept.html 

Belgian chocolate cakes available at department stores

WITTAMER (ヴィタメール), a royal warrant chocolate shop in Belgium has its branches at department stores in Japan. Their products are made by a Japanese confectionery company and accordingly, we could enjoy the Belgian taste at reasonable price (this kind of licence business is quite popular here as business cooperation).    

Rouge chocolat 

WITTAMER

As someone thought, chocolate cakes are good. Taste of chocolate is varied. A chocolate cake named "WITAMMER" has several different chocolate layer and the harmony creates nice taste and texture. As most of the parts are mousse, it is not so heavy as appearance. One piece of cake costs around JPY500. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

WITTAMER (ヴィタメール)　http://www.wittamer.jp/ 

Relaxing chain cafe specializing egg dishes

When I went shopping to Kinshicho (錦糸町) to buy baby items with family, I found a chain cafe named "Salon Tamago to Watashi (サロン　卵と私)" in TERMINA, a shopping mall attached to the JR Kinshicho Station. "Tamago to Watashi" means "egg and I" (strange name...:)) and this restaurant offers dishes using egg such as omelette, pancake, souffle, etc. Though I hadn't expected at all, the dishes were good! 

"Salon Tamago to Watashi"

Inside

Souffle pancake

cafe

Baked souffle rice omelette 

Their specialty is souffle or pancake and omelette using souffle. Both of the souffle-typed pancake(JPY530) and rice omelette(JPY1,030) were light like mousse and melted in the mouth shortly. Very favorable texture. The taste was stably good as a chain cafe. Particularly, combination of the hot pancake and whipped cream, butter and maple syrup was superb! 

Their sofa seats are cozy and relaxing. The price is inexpensive. The dishes were nice. I'd like to visit again when I have chance. For having a short break, this cafe featuring egg dishes might be a good option. My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Salon Tamago to Watashi (サロン　卵と私)

Fresh cakes of a fruit shop since 1902

Here, it is said that mother who does breastfeeding should not take much milk products such as cheese, fresh cream, etc. cause these clog her milk lines. But I can't give up cakes using much fresh cream at all! I already controlled myself for 10 months for baby's health and weight control. So, I've allowed myself to taste cakes with care. The below fresh cakes which my sister bought to me are of Kazan (果山), a fruit shop in Tokyo since 1902.

Shortcake

Strawberry bavarois 

In spite of their long history, Kazan is not so famous as Senbikiya. Since we have many such historical companies all around Japan, this humble shop may not be so prominent. But their simple cakes using fresh cream and seasonal fruits are not bad. Simpleness is the best. As the taste is light, I ate up in a second:) 

Their main shop is located in Ningyocho (人形町), and other branches are in Takashimaya department stores (高島屋) in Kanto area (関東地方). My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!  　 

Kazan (果山) http://www.fruit-kazan.com/index.html