Heading back to the station, I took a better look. They had food and it was lunchtime.
Inside was pleasant and clean.
There was a friendly air. The guy who was running the place and whipping up the drinks was nice.
My order arrived. Hot purple yam potato macchiato was warm and tasty. I had never thought of purple yams being mixed with green tea for a drink, but there it was and I enjoyed it. There was still a bit of fiber in it, which would surprise me when I drank it. In a way, it was like a vegetable smoothie.
The sandwich turned out to be a spicy chicken sandwich. I was hungry so I went for it. Not bad. Tik Tea's address is 2 Chome-8-7 Zoshigaya, Toshima City, Tokyo.
I had plans that evening that didn't turn out as expected. Good thing I know of other places to go to.
Of course there needs to be music with this post. Of course with Manmaru it's The Beatles. And the song I remember playing while I ate was "I Want You (She's So Heavy)". I always really liked the guitars in this song.
And once again it was Pick Happiness.
Sakana no nitsuke anyone? Simmered carp was brought to me. I enjoyed it. Nice to try different dishes. And it is fun letting the people at Manmaru chose.
And the really good stuff. My choice. Amazing unagi.
I enjoy roses. Especially blue ones. So off to Closet Child Harajuku I went. Where I was able to get a pair of one of my favorite Moi-même-Moitié socks.
With the sun going down and after that long walk through Todoroki Valley, it was time to think about dinner. So I took a short ride from Todoroki Station to Jiyugaoka Station to check out a restaurant I had noted in my online research. Where I ended up is part of the Shibuya koé hotel group. Located at the koé house store in Jiyugaoka is koé green.
There was definitely a Scandinavian vibe to koé house. The restaurant was in the first floor of the store with tables that were placed around the center stairs. Ordering is done at the counter and then you pick where you want to sit. I passed on the pasta gratin selections and went with their green's deli plate.
This came with a battered fish that I think was cod, salad, two deli items, bread and drink. The fish was really nice with a light batter. I don't usually eat fried food in the US, but in Japan, there is much less of an oily taste. I think it's the type of oil that many places use in Japan. Possibly canola oil? I know I prefer it and use it at home. In America, corn oil is used more often.
Everything on my plate was delicious, with bits of spice and heat in unexpected but nice ways. Tsukemono pickles were topped by cold curried shrimp. Amazing taste! koé green is located at koé house, 2 Chome-9-19 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City.
Finishing my dinner, I went for a short walk. To La Vita.
I think I arrived at a perfect time, with the moon rising in the sky and the sun setting.
La Vita is a little area in Jiyugaoka where the architectural design is based on Venice.
It is only one block in size, but the photos make it seem much bigger. In part because of all the details like the lights and moldings. Even Roman goddess Diana is there hunting. Nice timing with the moon showing up in the sky.
Besides the architecture reminding me of Venice, there is a little bridge over a canal and a gondola.
The canal doesn't go any where and is very shallow. But it is picturesque and a number of people were busy taking selfies there.
It was dark when I made it back to Jiyugaoka Station, which is why I noticed this very creative illumination in the shape of a Gothic arch.
Besides the sakura pink lights in the trees, red and pink rose lights covered the arch.
Along with these other rose lights that changed color.
Before I left Jiyugaoka, I did stop at a couple little shops by the station. I had heard of Cafe&Cake Mozart, and there was a little store outside the station.
So I bought their little chocolate chocolate chip and nut cookies. I think the nuts were almond. These were very nice. Cake&Cafe Mozart's address is Front Exit Jiyugaoka Station, 30, Meguro City.
Being that Jiyugaoka is a place that has a more European style to it, it was not surprising that there was a Dalloyau Paris shop there. Of course I had to get a few macarons. Left to right is chocolate, chocolate orange, and pistachio. I had asked for and pointed to the season special, pistachio with peppermint, but I was given the regular pistachio macaron. Other than that, they were delicious! Crispy outside, creamy inside. Their macarons are a little smaller than I've seen elsewhere, but nicely made. Dalloyau Paris address is 2-chōme-11-2 Jiyūgaoka, Meguro City.
It is strange that I never noticed that just a few meters from busy Takeshita Dori in Harajuku there is something quite calm. But then if you don't walk past Takeshita Dori on Meiji Dori, in the opposite direction of Laforet, you might not notice the really large stone lanterns and torii.
But it's worth noticing if you want to escape from that crowded area. For here there is a feeling of lush green.
And paper lanterns tempt you to walk forward.
To where you will discover a Japanese garden with a pond full of koi.
The walk way entices you to go further.
But first there are these colorful koi demanding your attention.
In fact, it feels like another world here.
The noise that drifts over from Takeshita Dori is noticed less as you look at the lovely landscaping.
Even the ducks find it nice to rest here amid the koi.
The path still is tempting, with a torii that is turning green to match the surrounding plants.
But first you have to take a moment to watch the koi swim by in the placid waters.
A view of serenity.
And even though eventually you move on, the green of the garden goes with you.
Because the contrast of the Togo Shrine Japanese garden to the surrounding area is remarkable and so relaxing in busy Harajuku.
Day four in Hawaii found me walking over to Waikiki. Day three had been filled with Moi-même-Moitié and Mana events, and day four was the Kawaii Kon Tea Party. Here are the links to my posts about those events.
Day Three Moi-même-Moitié Fashion Show http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-moi-meme-moitie-kawaii-kon-fashion.html
Day Three Mana Question and Answer Panel http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-mana-questions-and-answers-at.html
Day Four Moi-même-Moitié Tea Party and Mana Autograph Signing http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-moi-meme-moitie-tea-party-with.html
The day was ending with a rather dramatic sky.
I decided I wanted to eat a really good meal to end my trip. Since the hotel was not far from Waikiki and there were a number of restaurants there, I decided to head that way in hopes of something good.
Of course Waikiki is land of hotels.
With interesting Hawaiian style details.
I was starting to feel like I was in a Hawaiian version of Disneyland.
As the sun was setting I could see the beaches of various hotels.
Something that was mentioned during the question and answer session was pizza flavored ice cream. Since Lappert'S was within walking distance, why not? It's interesting that there is a Round Table Pizza restaurant right next door.
I am sorry to report there was no pizza ice cream that night.
I did enjoy their Kona Lava Java. I figured at least it's Hawaiian inspired.
Back to walking around to see the sights around the hotels.
Like this semi-gothic chapel with waterfall.
I finally made it to Waikiki Beach where the afterglow of sunset made a beautiful sky.
I spent a bit of time walking along the water's edge while waiting for my turn at a table for dinner.
My choice was Tropics. My hope was because it was part of the hotels that the food would be good.
A bit noisy inside but I did my best to enjoy myself. Started with a Blue Ocean, an upscaled version of a Blue Hawaii. Local vodka, rum, blue curacao, and fresh local pineapple juice. This was delicious and strong.
I ended up ordering their Roasted Kona Kampachi. Great choice! Tender and sweet kampachi fish on top of rice, covered with local garlic greens, carrots, green onions, ginger and cilantro. It was dressed with hot sesame oil and yuzu-dashi-soy sauce. I love dishes like this where each bite can bring a different flavor. Finally a dish that was worth the money.
One last look at Waikiki. After my dinner I walked back to the hotel. I was still searching for my Moi-même-Moitié Jewelry and Roses fan that had gone missing. Sadly it was never found even though I contacted all the places I had been at that day. I do hope one day Moi-même-Moitié will re-issue the fans, since I have not see any come up for sale on the second-hand selling sites. So I unpacked everything looking for it, and then started packing for the trip home.
