榎木ぼんばい江
My husband said, "There's a cafe where you can drink 1800 yen coffee, and I want to try it," so we went to check it out. The location is close to Kichijoji Station's Park Exit, with a decent amount of foot traffic. I was surprised to find a cafe that seemed like a time warp on a street I had passed by many times. At 12:30 on a weekday, there was one group of customers waiting in front. The interior of the cafe was not very spacious. To accommodate the waiting customers, the menu was displayed outside, allowing us to decide on our order while waiting. The colorful cream sodas caught my eye. I had seen them on Instagram, and they really stand out! After about a 10-minute wait, we entered the cafe. The vertically long interior was dimly lit, with antique furniture giving it a space that felt far removed from the hustle and bustle of Kichijoji. Oh, that pigeon clock, I had one at home... so nostalgic! The shop cards also had a retro vibe. We ordered the Lapis Lazuli cream soda (such a lovely name), Geisha coffee, lobster tomato cream pasta, and the ultimate pudding. How could I resist ordering something called the ultimate pudding?! The 1800 yen coffee used a bean called Geisha. The cup and saucer were also quite elegant. I'm not a fan of black coffee, but I took a sip... oh, I might be able to drink this. It's not overly bitter, and there's no unpleasant aftertaste. I could clearly taste the difference from the coffees I've had before. However, whether I would want to drink it again at this price is another story. The Lapis Lazuli cream soda was surprisingly voluminous! The ice cream was as big as a softball... but it was delicious! The carbonation wasn't too strong, making it easy to drink. I'd love to share and try different cream sodas. And that pasta was absolutely delicious! It's tomato-based, but the cream and shrimp are more like the stars. The soup was incredibly tasty, with a strong shrimp flavor and a smooth texture. I could drink it all up. We shared a plate, but I could have finished it all by myself. This is a must-try dish! Lunchtime comes with a salad and a choice of tea or coffee. Lastly, we tried the ultimate pudding that had caught our eye on the menu. It's a rich and creamy pudding. Is it loaded with whipped cream? The caramel's bitterness is also well-balanced. It's a bit sweet, so it might go well with tea or coffee. I can see why they call it the ultimate... I could really feel the dedication put into it. I now understand why this cafe is so popular. I definitely want to visit again, it's like a different world in Kichijoji. Personally, I liked that the outfits of the working ladies, although probably their own clothes, had a chic feel that suited the cafe well.