Usually when I go on a trip, I post what happened in chronological order. But since there is interest in this now, I will start with my return visit to the Vampire Cafe in Ginza. I had thought about going since I enjoyed my first meal there but what made it definite was the announcement of a collaboration with the fashion line Moi-même-Moitié for their 20th Anniversary. Their creative advertisement helped convince me that it would be worth a second visit.
Besides the very unique look of the food, the concept for the menu came from the creative mind of Mana, musician and founder of the bands MALICE MIZER and Moi dix Mois, and the gothic fashion label Moi-même-Moitié. Mana started Moi-même-Moitié in 1999, so to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, Mana chose the thriller horror film "Les diaboliques" as the inspiration for this first collaboration menu.
Released in 1955, "Les diaboliques" is set in a boarding school where the wife and the mistress of the abusive headmaster conspire to murder him. They think they accomplished this, then strange things began to happen. It is definitely worth checking out if you have not seen it. For me, the idea piqued my curiosity, along with wanting the opportunity to finally taste something inspired by Mana's culinary repertoire.
For my visit during my last trip I was able to make a reservation online. It was tricky but it worked. This time I tried and it did not work. So one afternoon I stopped in at the Vampire Cafe and made a reservation in person. Vampire Rose was very helpful with this. Reservations can also be made by phone if you speak Japanese or have someone who can do that for you.
So on the night of my reservation I returned to the Vampire Cafe. It was easier to get to now that the swank Armani Building has been completed and the Ginza Station B3 exit has been reopened. The black stairs up to the street set the mood for what was to come. Ascending to floor seven of the La Paix building, I was greeted by the cafe host Vampire Rose. I was led to an all black room that had padded walls and a curved ceiling. Was this meant to be a coffin? Or perhaps a coach? The ambiance was very dark.
Since it was March, the festive Halloween decorations were not out. The feeling was a little more somber with wine red chairs and black curtains. I was told something interesting by someone, about where I was seated that night. It fit with the theme of the dinner. I also found it amusing that all the mirrors in the room were broken.
The tables here really look like bottomless pools. This room was much darker than where I had sat previously. Still there was enough light to visually enjoy my food, but it made taking photos a little difficult.
My drink arrived, along with a little appetizer. A rice cracker lizard with a miso spread and a bit of black bread which had a little something underneath that I do not remember. It was a nice small bite for a starter for the night.
Maybe I could not remember because my focus was on this? One of the two special Moi-même-Moitié drinks, with rose petals floating lit by a blue light. This is the Fresh Blood Diabolique. The description is that you can get eternal beauty by drinking this. An original cocktail created for a celebration feast.
Part of Mana's description of the drink is adding fresh blood to it. That is, the red liquor in the accompanying glass. The color changes to a purple hue. Tasting this, I was reminded of roses. But as I drank more, a bitter taste was evident. It made me think of how the characters in the film may have started their relationships with love, but it turned bitter over time. Or how into pure blue water a poison was poured, stirring up emotions.
More of the description of the drink. "By just touching this drink to your lips, you will gradually awaken and wander into the illusion of being attacked by vampires." Fitting for the setting of this meal.
My main course arrived. The "jet dark enchanting exotic Diabolique-grilled curry made with coconut and cardamom". The description for the dish is "under the crepe cloth that shines jet black, is a curry full of spices such as cumin and cardamon. You will notice that the intricately crafted taste is carried into the mouth and the impact on the tongue changes." My impression that night, taking into account the movie was "Covered with a black blanket, wrapped in a white sheet, a bed of spicy temptation awaits you." So just what was in this entree and what did I think of it?
I have to say the look of the dish was enchanting, with the powered white candelabra logo topping that black blanket and surrounded by rose petals. The creamy cardamon coconut sauce enhanced what was under that blackness. Surrounded by a rice paper wrapper, spiced mushroom chicken with rice held consistent flavor throughout. It was quite delicious and I wish I had been able to go back and enjoy it again. This was a very sophisticated curry.
On to the last dish of the night. Normally I do not eat like this, but it was a special occasion, and given how my trip had been going, I needed something special. And this was a rather special looking cake. The "Sweet Trap of Blue Rose in Azure". Blue roses have long been a theme of Mana's along with azure blue water. This lemon cream and berry cake sat in a pool of blue gelatin. In the movie "Les diabolique" water is an important element, with both an abandoned pool and a bath tub, where the headmaster is supposedly drowned. Perhaps the sweet trap was his wife and his mistress, who attempted to kill him?
After making a wish and blowing out the candles, I dived into this pool of whipped cream and cake. The flavor of fruit was through out both the gelatin and cream. Lemon and hints of other sweetness. White chocolate surrounded the light white cake while in between the layers were whole blueberries. The cake looks bigger than it actually is, since there was a lot of whipped cream blue roses. I enjoyed the cake and big fresh berries, but I will admit I did not eat all of that whipped cream and gelatin. It was more than I could handle. Oh, I can't forget there was also a black rice cracker bat hiding behind one of the candles. My thoughts were of the sweetness of innocence, playing in a pool of blue. A moment of lightness in all that dark.
I can say that I really enjoyed this meal. Dining at the Vampire Cafe is a fun treat, and being able to enjoy a meal dreamed up by Mana as a tribute to Moi-même-Moitié made it special. Now if there was a way to be able to try the future new special menu items...since they will change throughout the 20th Anniversary year. You can find more information about the Vampire Cafe's collaboration menu and also make reservations through their Gurunavi web page here: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/g600100/menu1/.
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