Return to Venue Fort

Eight years ago I first visited Venus Fort. It does not look like much on the outside. 

This time I entered through the History Garage. Not intentionally. But still it was fun to see those retro automobiles. 

And the vintage pseudo store fronts. Although not that retro, seeing that there are recent reproduction Barbie dolls in there.

In between all this is a portable shrine. 

Near the retro gas station. 

 What I came to see was this.

 The interior of Venus Fort.

While not as lit up as it was at Christmas eight years ago, 

The interior design is still impressive. With a definite Italian feel, it reminds me a lot of The Venetian in Las Vegas. 

Including the ceilings.

Which are painted like the sky to give you the feeling you are walking through a medieval town. 

In fact they even go from twilight 

to dawn and back again. 

It was nice to see that Cobara-Hetta was still there. I ate lunch here eight years ago. 

Under this beautiful yet not real sky. 

 And next to this gorgeous fountain. Next time, I will have to do that again.

There are six statues of goddesses at the fountain. 

It's a lovely place to spend time at on a hot muggy day. Which is why I had thought of stopping at Venus Fort in the first place during this trip. But then I realized, like most of the other places I went to, there was a connection. To the musician Mana.

It's Time for Pancakes

Part of my plan for my last day in Tokyo was lunch. Somewhere in the place I was revisiting.

There was something about this restaurant that caught my eye. And my appetite.

Because there was one thing I really wanted to do in Japan. Well a lot of things, but this was something at the top of the list. Pancakes.

Not just any pancakes. Those big, fluffy, super high pancakes. And Shonan Pancake was a place that served them up.

So I ordered, and waited. The thing about these pancakes is that it takes some time for them to cook. But trust me, it was worth it.

Fluffy thick, made with ricotta and marscapone cheese. But not too cheesy. It was just right for the lemon pancakes that I ordered. Served up hot with a scoop of lemon sorbet.

Lemon in the syrup, lemon in the butter, lemon sauce. Yet, it was just right. Like I said, every where I went there was lemon flavors. For these pancakes, it hit the right balance with the bit of cheese flavor in the pancakes. Definitely different, and I would try them again.

As to where Shonen Pancakes is located? It's in Venus Fort, in Odaiba. Which is my next post.