あてるい
On this day, after enjoying a delicious lunch at Tonkatsu Keita, a tonkatsu restaurant located right near the south exit of JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station, I visited the cafe Monzuki located near the north exit of the station. I left the building of Tonkatsu Keita and walked along the narrow and old restaurant street under the JR tracks in the opposite direction of the south exit, then merged onto Komyo Street. I went under the overpass and continued on Komyo Street, turning right at the second corner, then left at the next corner to enter Nishiogi Ichiban Street shopping street, where the cafe is located on the left side. Across the street from the cafe is Nishiogi Kitachuo Park. I arrived at the cafe around 12:10 pm, and there were no other customers besides an elderly man who seemed to be the owner. I asked where to sit, but there was no clear answer, so I chose a table for four in the far left corner. The owner quickly brought me a menu along with cold water, and I ordered Mandheling coffee for 500 yen and a chiffon cake for 350 yen (both tax included). If you order a cake, you get a 50 yen discount on the drink. When I ordered Mandheling coffee, the owner was about to leave, so I quickly ordered the chiffon cake. Perhaps he thought I would only order coffee? The Mandheling coffee had a refined aroma of roasting, fruity with a hint of acidity and sweetness. Even when it cooled down, there was hardly any bitterness, indicating it might be lightly roasted or freshly roasted. The chiffon cake was soft and fluffy with a hint of tea flavor. I enjoyed it with plenty of whipped cream. Jazz piano music played in the background, harmonizing with the ticking sound of numerous wall clocks, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that made me feel like I had traveled back in time. The cafe was decorated with retro items like wall clocks, telephones, stoves, and registers, giving the impression of stepping back several decades. The owner was quiet and expressionless, but his service in serving and billing was polite. This aloof demeanor actually suited the ambiance of the cafe. As I left after about 30 minutes, the next customer finally entered. Weekdays at this time are perfect for leisurely enjoying the atmosphere of this cafe. Just like the Arleza Reading Room in Koenji that I visited recently, and now this Monzuki cafe, there are quite a few unique and charming cafes along the Chuo Line. I am looking forward to retrying Sartori Ibala Tearoom in Koenji, where I was turned down last time and plan to visit after the New Year.