I visited a restaurant highly rated on Tabelog to see if it's truly delicious. [Entering the restaurant] I arrived around 12:00 on a holiday and was able to enter immediately. [Interior] There are about 12 seats at the counter and tables. The interior is like a bar, quite dim overall. Cakes are displayed at the storefront, and there were many takeout customers. [Order] Tart Grenoble: 660 yen, Iced Coffee: 720 yen. [Appearance/Taste] I chose a cake at the storefront and opted for a safe drink. The Tart Grenoble is a caramel mousse and whipped cream cake, absolutely delicious. It contains dried fruits and nuts inside, providing a delightful texture. The iced coffee is somewhat bitter with a noticeable flavor but comes in a small portion. [Overall] The quality of the cake is very high, comparable to specialty shops. There's no lively atmosphere, so it's a good place when you want to relax. Since I was alone, including myself, the atmosphere doesn't feel intimidating. Thank you for the meal.

I've always wanted to visit this shop. Inside, there are mainly counter seats, along with table seats and semi-private seats. When I visited around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, the shop was almost full, but luckily I got in without waiting. I ordered the Five Blend for 800 yen and a Mont Blanc. The Mont Blanc had plenty of cream with a hint of liquor, and it was incredibly delicious! It had crispy meringue on top, and inside were large chestnuts. The chestnuts were also infused with liquor, soft, and very tasty! Mont Blanc lovers would adore this. The coffee was a strong, intense brew with a bitter flavor, and it was delicious. They also kept refilling the water promptly, so the service was excellent. There are many other cakes with vibrant appearances that I'd like to try someday. Thank you for the meal!

The fig tart looks beautiful, but since the figs are raw, the taste is subtle, and the cream isn't overly sweet. It's impressive to see identical tarts lined up on the counter. Using a knife and fork delicately like a lady isn't practical, so I started eating with my hands. Well, one would eat with their hands for baked goods or tartlet sizes, right? But alas, the cream and fig fell disastrously. Oh well, I licked the counter with my finger. I was surprised by the richness and slight bitterness of Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). I ordered the last Ibrahim Mocha (Yemen), said to be the finest variety of Mokha, the original species of coffee worldwide, drawn to its menu description of refined aroma and spreading acidity. It ended fittingly as I preferred this one. At this point, it was a Danish-made Royal Copenhagen Faience cup and saucer. I couldn't figure out the backstamp, whether it's brown or floral, even after searching online comparison tables. The brand's image is blue, so it's a unique design. Looking at the horizontal bar below the letter E, it seems to be from the production years of 1974-1978 or an unexpected 1956. The numbers are likely design model numbers. Interesting.

Around 3:30 PM, arrived at "TIES" in Hongo. Both the cake and coffee are delicious, according to my husband's recommendation. So, there are only a few cakes left. Ordered Mocha Deep Roast ¥850, Iced Olegrasse ¥850, Em Fromage (cheesecake) ¥540, and Kururide (mango and passion fruit mousse with raspberry jam-filled chocolate mousse) ¥540. A lovely waitress brewed coffee in a style reminiscent of a barista. The adorable cakes are delicious with a refreshing acidity and sweetness, and the smooth texture of the white meringue is delightful. The Iced Olegrasse has a nice aroma and just the right amount of sweetness to complement the cake. Despite the traffic jam and busy road outside, with Tokyo University Hospital and Hongo Fire Station nearby, the interior of the restaurant is a soothing space. It feels like a slice of Karuizawa here. A small, wonderful shop. Definitely want to come back.

To Mr. Taizu, a place I've always wanted to visit. Stepping in from the hot outside into the dimly lit interior, I chose the fig shortcake from the showcase right away. All the sweets looked delicious, making it hard to decide. Since there was no one around, I took a seat at the counter where you could see them brewing coffee. Several probably copper kettles were lined up, boiling water and brewing coffee with a hand drip. The sweets seemed to be handmade, and there were a large mixer and a possibly still active oven. The shelves displayed lovely cups. I might have looked around a lot, but it was spacious and had a pleasant atmosphere. Of course, both the coffee and the cake were delicious. It's a place I'd like to visit again.

I visited in the early afternoon on a weekday. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was comfortably quiet, with mostly counter seats available. Interestingly, there were mostly women customers during my visit. Despite the impression that women generally don't prefer counter seats, they seemed relaxed, perhaps due to the amiable nature of the master and his wife. I ordered coffee and a rum chocolate cake. The coffee had a nice balance of acidity and bitterness, with a rich flavor that paired well with the chocolate cake. The rum chocolate cake was also excellent, with a noticeable kick of rum. Despite the lingering summer heat, it was a pleasant time spent there. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

I visited TIES, a small famous shop on Kasuga Street. The sweets in the showcase are handmade by Master Sakatsume, who has a long experience as a pastry chef. Regarding coffee extraction, he learned from the closed Daibo Coffee Shop in 2013, making him quite a professional. If you sit at the counter, you can see Master Sakatsume brewing coffee carefully. Even if the time spent enjoying coffee and sweets is short, if you can relax and unwind, you will feel that you have spent quality time. Today, I relaxed with fig shortcake and iced café au lait. It was a good break. Thank you for the meal.

I met my friend at 3:00, and we finished our meal at Capoperica-no inside the University of Tokyo around 12:30. With some time to spare, we walked from the University of Tokyo to Tarte Tize. We went there to try the seasonal Blueberry and Cheese Tart. According to Tize's official Instagram, they are only open on August 10 (Thursday), August 11 (Friday), and August 12 (Saturday), and closed from August 13 (Sunday) to August 31 (Thursday). Since I heard that the Blueberry Tart is available until August, I decided to visit. I ordered an Iced Café au Lait for coffee. The Blueberry and Cheese Tart had large, tangy blueberries and a fruity, creamy cheese filling. The tart crust was crisp and easy to cut through. I heard the cakes are made by the manager, and they were not overly sweet, just delicious. The Blueberry Tarts sell out quickly within about an hour of opening, but after lunch, the richness of the cream cheese might be overwhelming. With piano music playing in the background and the meticulously made Iced Café au Lait, it was a lovely time. Unfortunately, they won't have this tart in September. The Cold Drink costs ¥720, and the Tart costs ¥860, totaling ¥1580 with tax included.

At Taisei's, right near Hongosanchome Station. As soon as you enter, there's a cake display window. The back area has a very serene atmosphere with dim lighting. The coffee is dark roasted. The calming ambiance might be quite pleasant. The cakes also had delicious whipped cream that wasn't too sweet. Thank you for the meal!

I visited "Taizu" for the first time after 2:00 PM. I ordered the item shown in the photo: Iced Café au Lait for 720 yen (including tax). The taste was pleasantly bitter with irresistible sweetness. Moreover, since it was hot outside, it made it even more delicious. I plan to come to the shop again. Thank you for the meal.

Visited around 2:00 p.m. on the weekend. A cozy café with 6 seats at the counter, 2 tables for 2 people, and a small semi-private room at the back. Time flows quietly and slowly. Unfortunately, the red blueberry tart was sold out. Had: - Brazilian coffee (tax included 770 yen) - Blueberry and cheese tart (tax included 860 yen) The tart was big! Blueberries were big too! Sweet and sour, very delicious. The tart was moist and gooey, with a creamy richness due to the cheese adding a slightly salty touch. The coffee, meticulously brewed with pour-over, had a cute cup and design.

I visited the café at 2:00 PM to try their Blueberry and Cheese Tart, which costs 860 yen, and their delicious Iced Coffee priced at 720 yen. Luckily, they had both the regular blueberry tart and the red blueberry tart available. The blueberries were large and tasty, while the cheese had a strong salty flavor. Since it was hot, I opted for the Iced Coffee, which was smooth and delicious, refreshing on such a warm day. Next time, I'd like to try the red blueberry tart with a hot coffee.

Neldrip's master brews coffee very meticulously. Last time, I had Ibrahim Mocha (light roast), and this time, I tried Munir Mocha. It's a complex flavor with a strong bitterness due to the dark roast, but personally, I prefer Ibrahim Mocha (light roast). The latter is described on the menu as having a strong acidity, but in reality, it has a very well-balanced taste. Either way, the weekday atmosphere in the cafe is calm, and it's very cozy.

Today was the day for my regular visit to the University of Tokyo Hospital. I was looking forward to going to "Tarte Tiz" afterward! My appointment was scheduled to end at noon, so I could arrive at Tiz just as they opened, hoping to finally try the blueberry tart I couldn't have last time. I resisted going to Capricciosa in the University of Tokyo campus for lunch today, opting for Tiz instead to save some money. I left through the Ryuoka Gate, passed by the Bunkyo Gymnasium, and quickly reached it along the main street. Indeed, it's best to go to popular places right when they open! The cake showcase, which was almost empty last time, now displayed a variety of cakes. And there it was – the blueberry tart in blue and red. Since I was alone today, I wasn't told to keep quiet at the entrance. I was led to the counter, where I ordered the original hot coffee. The staff informed me it might take some time, and the coffee could be bitter. A few stylish customers had entered since the opening, but there were still available seats. I went to check out the cakes, and they had a red grape shortcake that also looked delicious. I was torn between the blueberry and cheese tart and the red blueberry tart but ended up choosing the red one. The Blueberry and Cheese Tart (a seasonal tart using luxurious domestic blueberries) and the Red Blueberry Tart (featuring the rare "Pink Lemonade" blueberry variety with a gentle sweetness and acidity) were both tempting. The blueberries in the blue tart were large, and the red ones resembled grapes, delicate and beautiful. Later, when I asked the staff, they mentioned the blueberries in both tarts were from the same farm. After a short wait, they served the cake. Even during the coffee wait, watching the staff diligently boiling water and extracting coffee at the counter was entertaining. The timing was perfect – they presented the coffee as soon as the cake arrived. I was pleased that I could take pictures without getting scolded (apologies for being considerate to other customers). As the staff mentioned, the coffee was indeed rich and intense. Although they offered milk, I opted for black, and it complemented the cake well. It had a unique but not overpowering bitterness, making it enjoyable. As expected, the cake was elegant and delicious. The berries inside were unexpectedly abundant, and the delicate taste, with a mix of sweetness and acidity as described, paired well with the not-too-sweet cream, creating a delightful combination. The slightly sweet bottom tart, like a biscuit, was perfect to savor at the end. Above all, the presentation was beautiful! Two tarts, blue and red, are definitely too much for one person. I was satisfied with one. I thoroughly enjoyed the cake, coffee, and the atmosphere. It was nice to have a chat with the staff this time. Next time, I'd like to try the blueberry tart. After leaving the shop, I walked down the slope towards Tsuen Koffee near Ueno.

Recently, it's been hot! Yesterday, my mother and I were both free, so we were thinking of going somewhere. We considered Alpaca World in Kagurazaka, Coco Full Cafe in Komagome, or trying a new place like Tides in Yushima, where I wanted to eat blueberry tart. However, Kagurazaka was dismissed because of its slopes, so we decided on Tides. After checking on Instagram and here, I fell in love with the blueberry tart. It's even listed among the top 100 shops. On our day off, we hoped it wouldn't be crowded. We called the restaurant around noon, and they said it was currently not busy, but there might be a 30-minute wait or we could get in right away. We ate at a famous chain soba shop at the station (my mother wanted Beck's curry, but it was sold out). Then, we went to Ueno, took a bus to Todai, and got off at Ryuga-mongate. We could see the shop from inside the bus, so we walked back a bit from Ryuga-mongate to the store. It's a small but stylish place. It was easy to find as there was prior information about it being a small shop. When you open the door, there are quite a few customers, mostly young and stylish. There's a cake showcase at the entrance, and although it's bright there, the back of the store has a nice dim atmosphere with the counter being the main focus. At the entrance, the staff kindly asked us to refrain from speaking loudly. I was prepared for this. However, everyone was chatting reasonably loudly, which was comforting. I noticed something - there were hardly any cakes left! Of course, the blueberry tart too! When I asked, they mentioned they make around 26 blueberry tarts, but they sell out around 1 pm. That's within an hour of opening! We were seated at a nicely lit counter with spacious chairs (no bag storage), and we were given a stylish menu. They roast their coffee well, so it's bitter. If you don't like bitterness, they recommended ordering a cafe au lait or tea. As it was a hot day, I opted for iced cafe au lait. There were three staff members - the master, a beautiful lady, and another person who initially guided us to keep it quiet. Behind the counter, the kettle and coffee-making utensils added character. There are a few two-seater and three-seater tables in addition to the counter, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The toilet was also well-lit, and it was great that you could adjust the brightness. My mother prefers it brighter, so I made sure to leave it that way. My mother ordered the "Kururide" (mango and passion fruit mousse) after looking at the cake showcase. The cafe au lait arrived in an artistic glass, somewhat resembling an art nouveau style, and it paired well with the petite cake. During our visit, my mother inquired with the master about a shop nearby called "En." Apparently, it used to be a coffee shop, and the master shared some history about it. The restaurant had a mix of couples, readers, and people just enjoying the extraordinary ambiance. Will I have another chance to eat the blueberry tart? On the way back, we took a nearby bus, circled Uenoyamashita, and headed back to Ueno. It's conveniently located for us. Thanks for the delightful experience!

On July 1st, 2023 (Saturday), I tried the Oreglasse for ¥940 (tax included), which was a dish with a beautiful contrast of cold brewed coffee and milk, brewed for a day and night. (Available from June to October) I also had the Tarte Grenoble for ¥660 (tax included), which had caramel mousse inside the whipped cream, and caramel cream with nuts and dried fruits in the tart crust.

I went to this restaurant wanting to eat lunch and take a short break to read a book. While it was hard to imagine from the outside, the interior had downlights, creating a calm atmosphere. Soft and elegant music played in the background. When I picked up the menu, the old paper felt moist and had a pleasant texture. At that moment, I strongly felt the desire for a bitter liquid. "Giamantina Yoshimatsu." It felt like chanting a spell, and I almost bit my tongue when ordering. A few minutes later, the coffee arrived, just as I had imagined – a distinct bitter taste that I love. With each sip, I felt intoxicated by its richness. I was able to concentrate on reading my book. Truly, it was a good time.

I have a favorite coffee shop personally! It offers meticulously roasted coffee and delicious homemade cakes. I've visited it many times. I visited on Sunday at 16:50 with no waiting time. It's located midway between Yushima Station and Hongo-sanchome Station. From JR Okachimachi Station, you walk through Ueno Hirokoji and continue straight ahead. It's on the right side. Although the exterior is small, the interior has a slightly dim and cozy atmosphere. There's a showcase of cakes near the entrance. Behind that, there are counter seats and table seats. The coffee menu includes blends, single-origin from different regions, and old beans. They also serve cold coffee (like cafe au lait) and coffee with alcohol. Cakes include popular limited-time fruit tarts and shortcakes, with about 8 varieties of homemade, gentle-tasting cakes available. Tarts and shortcakes sometimes sell out early, so you need to be careful if you have something specific in mind. *-----*What I had:*-*Original 750 yen*Tarte Grenoble 600 yen-----*About "Original":*It's my personal favorite coffee, ranking No.1. It's French roast coffee beans, meticulously roasted in-house, brewed slowly with a Nel drip. It has a smooth texture and a rich, deep flavor. I particularly love the "complexity" that you can't find in other shops. I always say I want to try different coffee occasionally instead of always having the "Original."-----*About "Tarte Grenoble":*It's a cake with caramel, nuts, and cream. The top has caramel cream inside the whipped cream. The tart part contains nuts and caramel chunks. The balance between the cream and the tart part is good, and you can enjoy it without getting tired of the caramel. I thought the taste was familiar because I've had nuts and caramel chunks before, and it turns out it's like "Kurumikko" (walnut). The texture is similar! *-----*On this day's food walk route:*Tokyo Station↓Yakitori Akira (chicken dishes/Ginza)↓nippi cafe (cafe/Ginza)↓Sonna Banana (banana juice/Hatchobori)↓Bakery Bank (bread/Kayabacho)↓Kitchen Kiraku (cafe/Jimbocho)↓Taizu (cafe/Yushima)↓also (Taiwanese cuisine/Hakusan)

Located in Hongō, the cozy café "TIES" is run by a lovely couple. Besides roasting their own coffee, Mr. Hiroki Sakatsume also showcases his skills in pastry-making, as seen in the treats displayed in the shop's window. Mr. Sakatsume's journey to opening the café was lengthy: he moved from Hokkaido to Tokyo, worked for 7 and a half years at a donut chain, then honed his craft as a cake artisan for over a decade in various establishments including a cake manufacturing company, a high-end café, and a Swiss pastry shop, before finally opening TIES at the age of 35. He learned the Nel drip coffee method at Daibo Coffee Shop in Minami Aoyama. The name "TIES" comes from the idea of wanting to create a place that serves as a "tie" or connection between people. I ordered a mildly bitter coffee. The master's recommendation, "Mild Classic," and a slice of shortcake. The coffee, a blend of Kilimanjaro and Colombian beans, offers a balanced medium roast with hints of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness, refreshing yet complex. The cake, "Red Grape Shortcake," features fluffy Chantilly cream and softly baked biscuit filled generously with sweet and fruity red grapes, resulting in an airy delight. It was a blissful moment in a tranquil setting, where the gentle demeanor of Mr. Sakatsume and the kind service of Madame reveal the secret to its popularity.

Moving away from the bright entrance, as you walk through the narrow interior, you are greeted by a dimly lit counter. It feels like stepping into a bar. I indulged in a Colombian and blackcurrant cake. The coffee, meticulously brewed through the Nel drip method, is refreshingly light yet rich with the essence of the beans lingering in its aftertaste. The blackcurrant cake boasts a beautifully layered cross-section. Its tangy blackcurrant flavor blends seamlessly with the sweetness of the cream, complementing the coffee perfectly. It's small-sized and easy to eat. It was a moment where time seemed to slow down. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

Tais@Hongo-sanchome I had been curious about this café, Tais, for a while now. It's been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants on Tabelog. Apparently, you can enjoy incredibly authentic cakes along with coffee here. Upon entering, you're kindly reminded to keep your voice volume down, so as not to disrupt the atmosphere. It would be unbearable if it got noisy in a place like this. The interior, with records playing, is dimly lit, creating a lovely ambiance. Since it was my first time, I opted for their original coffee. It had a strong aroma and bitterness, yet with a unique, delightful nuttiness, unlike any taste I've had before. I also loved the cute cup it was served in. For the cake, I chose the "Cassis," a berry mousse cake. It was absolutely fantastic. The vivid acidity and fragrance, along with the perfect level of sweetness, surpassed my imagination. It might even beat Pierre Hermé's Rouge. It's definitely secured its spot in my top 5 cakes of all time. It's just incredible. Though it's been a while, I'm grateful to Ashikaga Kei for recommending it at Comitia. Thanks for the treat. #Tais #HongoSanchome #Cafe #Cake #Sweets #TeaTime #Coffee #Cassis