Recent Reviews
The salon "Salon de Musee" by Minaco Imada, a renowned pastry chef, offers a delightful afternoon tea experience. I had the "King's Treat." Minaco Imada is known for introducing canelé and cheesecake to Japan. The salon is located on the 4th floor of Shinjuku Takashimaya, directly connected to the south exit of Shinjuku Station. The interior is a stylish neoclassical space with beautiful furnishings. The salon is inspired by Marie Antoinette, and the 19th-century stained glass near the entrance is a must-see. The clientele consists of elegant ladies. It was crowded on weekends, so I went back on a weekday at lunchtime around 1:00 PM. Weekdays are less crowded and a good time to visit. The menu features only sweets and drinks. The "Marie Antoinette's Sweets" I was hoping for were already sold out. So, I decided to try the "King's Treat." The first tier featured the original cake "Black Forest," a cake from southwestern Germany, with cocoa sponge cake layered with cherries and whipped cream. The second tier had baked goods, and the third tier had scones with generous amounts of clotted cream and homemade jam, making for an elegant afternoon tea. The warm tea served in a pot was a delightful touch. I was recommended the "Minaco Imada Rose Tea." The bergamot and rose aromas from the tea were incredibly sophisticated and uplifting. The tea is the main focus, so there are many varieties to choose from. The tea saucer and cup are original to the salon, designed by Minaco Imada. The logo and shape are charming and elegant. The salon specializes in dining culture, so the interior decorations and table settings are also elegant. The only disappointment was that the plates and three-tier stand used for the "King's Treat" were quite simple, lacking the grandeur of the "Marie Antoinette" afternoon tea. The service was slow, making it suitable for those who want to relax and take their time. The staff gave off a very calm and composed impression. The prices are high, reflecting the Takashimaya price level. It's a salon where you enjoy the atmosphere more than the taste.
A cafe in Shinjuku. It's located just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, on the 4th floor of Takashimaya. It's a museum-style tea salon opened by Minako Imada, who advocates for "tabletop art." I stopped by for a break after buying a new refrigerator at Takashimaya and picking up some things at the newly opened Nojima. I went there around 4 pm on a Saturday and there was a line of about 6 people. It took about 20 minutes to get in. The interior is decorated with cute antique plates and cups. Here's what I had today: ✔︎ Freshly Squeezed Mont Blanc Cake Set (¥1870) It's a set of Mont Blanc and coffee or tea. I chose hot coffee this time. The Mont Blanc seems to be squeezed upon order. The layers inside the Mont Blanc are cream and meringue. There's also meringue on top. The sweetness of the meringue and the richness of the Japanese chestnut cream stand out in this Mont Blanc, so it's better to have it with a drink as part of the cake set. The interior is quite cute and princess-like, so it might be a bit difficult for a man to go alone, but it's a good choice for a break with female friends or on a date. Thank you for the meal! (^^)
Takashimaya Department Store, 4th Floor Air conditioning? Steam? The high-pitched noise was so loud it gave me a headache. I moved to a different table under the atrium, but the noise was still bothersome and unpleasant. There was a hair on the table I was assigned. The wide spacing between tables is commendable. The table mats were paper. The hand towels were disposable wet wipes. The sugar was in packets. The milk was absolutely terrible. The afternoon tea stand was sticky on both the handle and the base. It seemed like the stand had been placed on top of the cake and sauce. The staff were wearing vinyl gloves, so they probably didn't notice. They touched other things with those hands, spreading dirt and stickiness. As expected from a place bearing the name of a heavyweight in the world of Japanese sweets, the assortment of sweets was nostalgic. The baked goods were not good. There was a lot of oxidized fat, and they were too sweet. They were so unpleasant that I couldn't eat them. The scones and cakes were decent. The price was not worth it.
A cafe located within the Shinjuku Takashimaya department store. I visited on a weekday evening and there were only 2-3 other groups. The cafe was spacious and quiet, allowing for a peaceful and elegant experience. The Mont Blanc I ordered was light, not overly sweet, and delicious with tea. I think it's a great place to relax while in Shinjuku.
I was searching for a cake called 'Forêt Noire' in France, and I learned that it's the same as the German 'Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte' and that this shop serves it under the name 'Black Forest.' So I decided to visit. The shop is located on the 4th floor of Shinjuku Takashimaya, tucked away in a corner near the women's clothing section. I went on a holiday evening and found it packed, with a 3-group wait. They have a 90-minute time limit, so you might have to wait quite a while depending on the situation, but my turn came up after only 15 minutes. The interior is elegant, with pale pink walls and high-quality furnishings. You can order cakes individually, but given the shop's sophistication, I opted for a set. I ordered the Black Forest with iced coffee set for 1760 yen. It's a bit pricey, but considering the atmosphere, it's reasonable. The Black Forest was delicious, with a perfect combination of cream and sponge, and the grapes inside added a nice touch. It was a refined and elaborate flavor. The red item in front of the cake was cherry ice cream, and its strong sourness balanced out the sweetness of the cake. I think it was a well-thought-out composition. It's not cheap enough to visit frequently, but it's a good place to spend time with someone special.