Tasting Event at Joël Durand

The shop invited few customers for the new taste of parfait " Violet" yesterday. Reservations were taken on a first come, first served basis. The next morning I received the invitation email from them, I called to the store right after they opens and made the reservation. They told me they will call me or email me back if the seats are available. 

Luckily, I could join the event on last Friday night, and the event was started after the shop was closed. I took my friend to the event. First, they brought us a coffee and two pieces of chocolates.

Later, the parfait "Liegeois" were brought our table. (They call their parfait "Liegeois," and it means parfait in French.) It was sooooooo good! I felt like I was in heaven while I was eating it and I could get rid of my tiredness :) You can see the violet jello on the top of the parfait and the glazed violet at the bottom of the glass.

It was the excellent event! I hope I join the event again if they have it. :)

Japanese Tea Shop "CHA GINZA"

It was hot and humid last Sunday. I saw the sign of the Japanese tea shop " 10th Anniversary: Summer Festa" while I was walking on the street. My friend and I decided to take a rest at this Japanese tea shop. 

The building has three floors , and they serve us a different tea and small portion of sweets if we buy a ticket. We paid 700JPY at the first floor and got a ticket. First, we went up to the 2nd floor as they said.

We sat on the chair and waited for the first one on the menu.

Jello with seasonal vegetables(2nd Floor)

Limited first tea of the season. (2nd Floor)

Espresso Savarin Cake with Another tea of the season.(2nd Floor)


 Then, we went up to the third floor to drink cold tea and shaved ice. It was really hot on the third floor and I was too uncomfortable to be there, so I left the third floor right after I drank the cold green tea. I missed the shaved ice!!! After my friend came down to the first floor , we had the last green tea before we left the tea shop.





Each floor has different atmosphere, so they may try to provide us some entertainment during the stay there. Mmm...It was sort of OK, but I want to sit on the same place and relax when I have a tea or coffee. 

HYDRANGEA

On the way to the shopping yesterday, I found the beautiful hydrangea flowers near my apt. I guess the flowers were there last year, too, but I didn't notice it... For me, the image of hydrangea is always associate with snails. I could not find any yesterday, so I draw the snail and hid it in the flowers:)

Vegitable Cakes

I found the cake shop "Potagie" in Haneda airport on my way back to my home town last Friday. The shop sells the cakes which uses many different kind of vegetables. I got burdock roots chocolate cake and green tomatoes cake. The taste was, of course, chocolate, and I found the burdocks while I was eating it. My father ate tomato's one, so I don't know how it tastes like. I wanna try it next time.

Salmon Steak

Stopped by the department store after work today, and I got Salmon fillets. It's from Norway, and it was sold at half price.(Yes!) I started cooking after I came back home. I tried to remember the taste of the salmon steak I ate in Copenhagen last fall. Baked Salmon in a butter and olive oil combo, and steamed carrots and bell peppers in a microwave. Also, microwaved mushed potatoes(I always keep it in the freezer)

I used the ranch dressing as sauce this time. Directions says combine milk and mayo with the ranch dressing mix, but I combine yogurt and a small amount of mayo instead. Taste is a little bit sour, but it could be healthier. :)

It took 1 hour to cook everything.

I'm so full now, and it was really good. Happy!

Memphis Sweets

My boss came back from Memphis, US this Monday and he brought us back "Moon Pie" as a souvenir.  I really like "Moon Pie," but I just realized it says "Only 110 Calories!" on the box... Only 110 calories?!! The size is mini.... I think the calorie is sort of high..  Keep them for tomorrow :)

Measuring Cup

I don't remember when I got the Marow's measuring cup from my friend, but I always used it when I needed to measure something during the cooking. Actually, the cup is used for pudding cup that was selling at the shop "Marow."
Last week, the cup was broken right after I washed it... "Oh, no..." I was thinking to order the pudding thru their online shop just for the measuring cup.(The shop is far from where I live, so I don't think I will go to the shop just for the measuring cup)  While I was checking their website, I found they are selling their puddings at the department store in Shibuya until today.

I woke up early and I went to Shibuya to get the puddings. I got the custard pudding and pumpkin pudding, and I ate pumpkin one after I got back home. Taste?  I felt like I am eating only pumpkin paste, not pudding. :P It's pretty heavy and I became so full. The pudding is OK... (I don't know the taste of the custard one yet) The purpose that I got them is to get the measuring cup, so the mission is completed.