創成川イーストぜんぶ食う
Located on the west side of the Sosei River, halfway between Sapporo Station and Odori Station, is the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Sapporo. On the second floor of the hotel, there is a restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal afternoon tea in addition to main meals. The luxurious interior, with a white color scheme, exudes a sense of high-class elegance, and the spacious seating adds to the comfort and luxury of the experience. The restaurant also serves other customers who have ordered the afternoon tea set. In June, the theme is "Cherries and Garden Insects," priced at 3,000 yen. In July and August, the theme changes according to the seasonal ingredients, which is likely to attract repeat customers. Upon informing the staff of the reservation, we were promptly escorted to our seats and received detailed explanations about the ordering process. Shortly after the explanation, our first drinks, tea stands, and savory dishes were served sequentially. All drinks are free-flowing, and it was particularly appreciated that each drink was served individually. The "TWG Tea" brand offered at this restaurant is not available in other places in Sapporo. With a total of 9 types of teas, as well as coffee, soft drinks, and mocktails, the variety of options for ordering was impressive. Each type of tea was served in a pot or cup, with attention to detail to enhance the flavors. The menu provided detailed descriptions of each tea, and their unique characteristics were evident in each sip. Thanks to the individual servings, I was able to enjoy tasting all the teas except for the iced tea. My favorites were the "Silver Moon," a Japanese tea with a refreshing sweetness, and the "Black Tea," a blend with different types of sweetness and a rich aroma and aftertaste. The cherry frappe mocktail, part of the themed set, was a perfect refreshing drink for the early summer weather. The main 3-tiered tea stand featured larger sweets than expected, with insect-themed sweets standing out for their vibrant appearance. Not only were the motifs eye-catching, but the small flowers and the color coordination of the sweets were also beautiful. The sweets were more substantial than imagined, with rich flavors and a firm sweetness, providing an enjoyable experience of pairing them with different teas. The savory dishes, served separately from the tea stand, also offered high-quality options. The refreshing flavors of the summer-themed dishes complemented the tea flavors, adding a variety of tastes such as acidity and saltiness. Among them, the richness of the Foret Noir stood out as unforgettable. It took a leisurely pace to finish everything, allowing for a satisfying and fulfilling experience over the 3-hour duration. A hidden gem of this afternoon tea set was the free-flowing Haagen-Dazs ice cream. With three flavors - vanilla, strawberry, and green tea - served in chilled glass bowls, the smooth and creamy texture of the ice cream was delightful. The ice cream paired well with the warm tea, allowing for continued enjoyment even after finishing the stand's menu. At the beginning of the seating, we were invited to participate in a survey via a QR code on our smartphones. The survey was brief, and participants received three TWG Tea tea bags as a souvenir. This not only allowed us to savor the experience at home but also included flavors not offered in the set. If given the opportunity to participate in the survey, it is recommended to do so to receive the souvenir. Occasionally, it was challenging to find staff to place an order, possibly due to the secluded seating. However, the frequency was not high, and the pleasant customer service and smooth ===========