Waiting for the Dark Elves at the Vampire Cafe

Continuing their special menus for Moi-même-Moitié's 20th Anniversary, Vampire Cafe offered up two new drinks and a new pasta dish for July and August.

So at the end of my July trip I found myself once again in the den of darkness.

This time my dining companion was the new acrylic EGA Mana.

I started with the non-alcoholic drink "A bloody tragedy of love and madness swirling at night on prom". Created by Mana, it's a mix of Calpis (Calpico) and lemon juice, into which you pour tomato juice. Since I had never tried Calpis before, this was something new for me. I wasn't sure at first but the sweet and sour taste of this drink won me over.

It was topped with a blue jelly rose which glowed as it floated on top of the Calpis and tomato swirl. The effect of the tomato juice seeping down into the Calpis reminded me of the movie "Carrie". I'm not sure if that was the movie reference for this drink, but it seems appropriate.

The second drink looked amazing in person. "The frenzy of blood starved zombies reviving in Matul" is a reference to the movie "Sangeria" also known as "Zombi 2". 

This Mana created drink was made with rum, Malibu coconut rum, milk and pineapple juice. Into which you get to pour blue caracao. Since the light inside the drink was blue, the color did not change much. It was really pretty to look at. This was my second Mana pineapple drink at Vampire Cafe this trip. The first was pineapple juice and blue caracao, and possibly either Calpis or milk. Sweetly bitter, which I believe was the effect that was desired. Some of Mana's drinks are like this. It is a taste that some are not use to in drinks, but bitters are used in other countries to flavor mixed drinks, so it is not unusual there.

My last choice for the evening was the special pasta dish "Dark elves dancing in the white night in a rose garden dripping with pleasure".

This was a cold dish for the hot summer weather. Steamed chicken with pasta in a yogurt sauce that gave a pleasant sour taste which reminded me of Greek cuisine. The blue rose was made of daikon radish and added to that summery feeling. If I made this I might have added more parsley or even dill to it. Still it was good. I was surprised with all the dairy in the drinks and this dish that I was able to eat all of this and not feel uncomfortable. I think that speaks to the quality of ingredients that are used. This was a very nice meal and service was great. My compliments to the excellent host Vampire Rose, the staff and chefs, and of course to Mana.

This menu is still available till the end of August. While reservations are good to have, I have found that by going early in the week and at the time they open, they do usually have tables available.

Moi-méme-Moitié Online Salon Event with Mana

In July I found myself in a very large and impressive Tokyo high rise. To attend an event to celebrate a 20th anniversary.

(photo from Moi-même-Moitié website)

Along with lovely people dressed in various styles of elegant gothic clothing. For the first Moi-même-Moitié Online Salon event, called "Early Summer Garden". The walls covered in greenery helped convey the feeling of a garden.

(photo from Moi-même-Moitié Twitter)

Once everyone was seated, the host for the event, DJ Hiroaki Asai came out and greeted everyone. Wearing a Moitié Bat Cloak and Striped Blouse with Jabot, he introduced the guest of honor. Out came Mana wearing the Moitié Yukata and carrying their new Rose Croix Pagoda Parasol. And to our surprise, the person with Mana was Ryux, Moi dix Mois guitarist. Ryux was there to speak out loud Mana's answers to questions submitted by salon members. Just to mention, Ryux was wearing the Moitié Bat Collar Shirt and Beret.

(photo from Moi-même-Moitié website)

Mana sat in the middle with Ryux at his side. Ryux did a great job of repeating what Mana whispered to him while Mana held the Jewel Rose fan up to hide his face while talking. Mana was rather animated during the talk, smiling and making gestures when Ryux repeated the answers. It was clear they were all enjoying themselves, Ryux sometimes laughing at what Mana was having him say.

Since most of the talk information is only available to Salon members, I won't repeat it here. Because a few things have been mentioned online, and some things were a repeat of subjects Mana has discussed before, I will mention a couple of those repeat subjects that I remember. Like fruit and coffee, "Suspiria", beer gardens and how the Moi-même-Moitié candelabra logo is an upside down M. And Mana's gargoyle fountain at the first Moi-même-Moitié store, with Mana holding hands up to mimic the gargoyle's hands. That was really cute. "Sweet and dangerous" fragrance also was talked about, which I feel okay to mention since that started with my question in Hawaii.

Following the questions we were instructed to take a bingo card out of the souvenir bag that each person received. Mana was in charge of getting the bingo balls while Ryux read out the numbers. Several people won prizes like signed posters, little cheki photos of Mana, and one lucky winner got a signed copy of the Moi-même-Moitié book "Magnifique". Very lucky person.

We all then were directed on where to place ourselves for a group photo with Mana in front with Ryux and DJ Asai. Everyone applauded as Mana, Ryux and DJ Asai left the room.

We were then free to take photos in the room and buy new items including a few that were available before they were released to the public. I found it hard to resist this view of Tokyo Tower.

A large print of the 20th Anniversary art by Mihara Mitsukazu was set up for people to take photos in front of. There was also a small camera crew from the television show "Zoom In!! Saturday". They filmed a few times during the event and did interviews with a couple attendees. Mana had mentioned to us previously that they would be there and that it was okay if anyone did not want to take part in their filming. That was nice. Of course people did all cooperate since we knew this was being done to promote Moi-même-Moitié and support Mana.

(Photo from Moi-même-Moitié Twitter)

There were a few things we were not allowed to take photos of. Because there was a table of items that will be released in the future. I can say that there are really nice things to come. I'm already planning on buying a couple items. Since Moi-même-Moitié has now announced the return of the Coffin Beads ring, I can say that it was displayed at the event and is very pretty.

As for those yet to be released goodies, I could not resist the acrylic EGL and EGA Mana figures. I had to get at least one photo of EGA Mana in the garden.

I also bought the Silent Moon socks since I have not bought Moitié socks since...it's been a long time. Along with a pair of their Coffin Charm Gloves in white. In the middle is the Yukata print hand towel that everyone received as a gift.

If anyone wants to read more of the question and answer session with Mana, part of it is here at Moi-même-Moitié's website https://moi-meme-moitie.com/?tid=5&mode=f62. The rest of the session is on the Moitié online salon, for members. And since I know who the guest is/are for the next talk with Mana, I can say that it will be worth joining for fans. It is going to be very good. The online salon is here https://lounge.dmm.com/detail/1686/