and then it got worse

When I looked out the window Monday afternoon...gah! (the black arrow is where Mount Fuji "should" be)

This photo is the same from Monday, but the building to the right with the arrow over it, is 5 stories...

I had thought the part in front of us was only going to be 4 but I guess the whole thing is gonna be 6...boo!

Here is what it looked like when we could see Mount Fuji back in early May.

So bummed.

mexican dining avocado

When I went to Shinjuku on Sunday, I stumbled upon Mexican Dining Avocado for lunch.

This restaurant has seating on the 2nd and 4th floors (the 3rd is occupied by another cafe).

Did you see the movie, "Coco"?! (I loved that movie even if I only saw half...long story...)

The shop interior is apparently based on the movie, super festive & bright.

I ordered the taco rice, which came with all-you-can-drink soup, a beverage and fresh juice.

It was kind of humid so I passed on the soup.

As for my beverage I chose their iced hibiscus tea and was also given a small serving of their fresh juice.

The tea was refreshing...I had thought it would be more tart but it was actually really nice.

The fresh juice was avocado, grapefruit, honey and chia seed (kind of like a smoothie)...this was creamy and citrusy.

Their taco rice had enough spices to give a little burn.

Wish there had been a little more cheese.

I'm glad I found a place for taco rice in Shinjuku...I'll be back.

Mexican Dining Avocado
3-9-4 Shinjuku, 2nd & 4th floor
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3356.8585
Lunch 12:00-15:00 (Weekdays), Dinner 17:00-23:00 (Weekdays including Saturdays)
11:30-15:00 (Weekends), 17:00-22:00 (Sundays & Holidays)

patisserie l'authentique

It's Satoshi's birthday today.

Unfortunately, he's been working late, so we celebrated a day early.

I put together some pupu (appetizers) and we had a glass of rose.

Cake from Patisserie L'Authentique, a shop in Saitama Prefecture which was being featured at Shinjuku Isetan.

While the cake was delicious, my only peeve was their overboard use of tape!

Taping the cake down to the box, as well as taping the ice packs in...

It was pretty frustrating getting the pieces of cake out (I cut the box so that I could gingerly get the pieces off the tape without it flying around!)...still, I'm glad we tried them.

I wish Satoshi a year of good health and happiness.

For always putting up with me.

Happy Birthday!

sando

In mid-May, a new cafe opened up near Ikegami station called Sando.

Apparently there used to be a bakery on the land, which went out of business and in its place an apartment building was built.

On the ground floor of the apartment building is Sando.

We checked them out today.

Mostly counter seats with quite of bit of natural light.

I had their Toni...espresso, tonic water and citrus juice...which was refreshing.

Satoshi had their kokuto coffee milk...literally a latte sweetened up with kokuto (black sugar).

He said he enjoyed it.

The prices are similar to Starbucks and they are slowly putting food items on their menu.

Hope to come back for lunch or breakfast, I'll be back.

Sando (UPDATE:2022 out of business)
4-31-16 Ikegami
Ota, Tokyo
Hours: 8:00-20:00
Closed Tuesdays

hakone bakery

When we visited Hakone in February, I was interested in trying some baked goods from Hakone Bakery, but their shop wasn't near the Hakone station.

And then when I went to Kawasaki, I stumbled upon their shop there of all places.

I tried their apple pie.

So flaky but could have had a little more apple filling.

We also tried their bread which was nice as toast in the morning.

And last night I tried their gorgonzola honey walnut bread, so good!

Lots of stinky cheese! walnuts and a drizzle of honey.

There is mixed info online about the shop in Hakone...some say they moved, some say they are out of business.

They do have a cafe area at the shop in Kawasaki so I hope to get back there soon.

Hakone Bakery
Azalea Delichika
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Phone: 044.280.7671
Hours: 7:00-21:00
Open when Azalea is

watermelon

Does your market sell cut watermelon?

Most of the ones I've bought from in the past have had the cut watermelon wrapped in plastic.

This is my 2nd time buying watermelon this year and both times it was packed like this.

In a zipped bag.

I rinse the pieces before eating.

Our temps have been krazy... 30s C (high 80sF) am hoping with the rains forecast for Wednesday, our temps will get a little more comfortable.

burrata

1st time trying burrata...where have we been?

This cheese is creamy, buttery...so so good!

Recently I saw some at Kaldi (an import food store) and at the time didn't buy it, but when I went on Saturday, I picked one up.

It was frozen, so I thawed it out.

Since it is a fresh cheese, it has to be frozen to make the trip overseas...

I sliced it and put it onto some tomatoes.

Drizzled it with olive oil.

Put some basil.

And ground a little pepper.

I'm glad we tried this and have heard that some Japanese cheese makers are making burrata, so I will keep my eye to try their version.

Have you tried burrata? What is your favorite way to enjoy this?