Boul'ange: Pain au Chocolat

Did another run through the parts of the Hatsudai-Yoyogi-Tomogaya Loop that I need to do a 31 km run on Sunday (according to the current plan). Monday is not a good day for pasties (pastries are mostly a morning thing anyway, so any day is a problem, but Path is closed on Mondays). Actually, Sunday I'll probably try for cake as an excuse to take the train home from Tomogaya.

I was still not able to resist getting a pastry, though it would have been useful to cache one for Sunday (though no any serious opportunities until after 20 km anyway). I stopped at Boul'ange next to Shinjuku Station, which is in Yoyogi Shibuya-ku. It was good but on the overbaked side. That's my choice over underbaked and probably better for a longer shelf life, but till only good.

Bien-être: Mille-Feuille au Raisin

I went to Glycine without confirming their schedule and found them closed on Wednesday, so I swung up to Bien-etre where I ate in (hidden by the door on the left, but there are a few tables and a counter), though just one other customer eating and having tea at 8 pm on a Wednesday. I walked far and fast, 13.2 km averaging 6.2 km/h, so I'm completely off schedule/over budget. I didn't have any trouble then or after, though, so expect an acceleration of the walking schedule (although I'm busy now, so it may average out over the next few days). Anyway, maybe it's time to try introducing some running again, just a kilometer to start, next week, as I confirm I can manage faster walking regularly.

The cake was Mille-Feuille au Raisin for 540 yen. I was in the mood to like this cake, and it's the best grape mille feuille I've ever had, from a candidate excellent shop, so I won't feel too guilty saying it's excellent, even if I'm not in a strong need for more cakes like this one.

Jog to Bien-être: Harmonie

Actual running today, the first in 10 days. Took it very slow, which I'll call jogging, as it was a little more than 7 min/km, which I'm fine with. Didn't know how long I could do it since my foolish run before which aggravated an old knee problem while not doing the current one any help. As it happens, the old problem didn't make trouble, so I'm not worse than 10 days ago before that run, I think, but on the other hand, the dominant behind-the-knee problem remained, so I only ran just over 7 km and then walked. That will probably be it for running until maybe Sunday, but I've got cycling planned a couple days and there will be walking a couple days.

The goal was Bien-être. Sill not a huge selection, but I'm a little more optimistic that I can find a few cakes worth trying (and at the rate I visit, I can keep getting something new). The cassis mousse dome, Harmonie for 540 yen, I think (although their website says 450, but I don't and didn't have 50 yen change and Joshi+ went last Sep. and reported 520). The harmony is with jasmine cream. I chose well, as this was excellent. The outer gel did not bother me (maybe I'm getting used to it) and the flavor was great. Still don't really know what jasmine tastes like, but if it works, I'm happy.

11.4 km to Bien-Etre Patisserie and back: Saint Marc

Tried running over to Bien-Etre. They close at 8:30, so that's reasonable. Ran along the road south of JR Chuo train line, swung north to get around Meiji Gingu just outside the Yamanote loop, came down the west side of Yoyogi Park and went west where Yamanotedoori meets Inogashiradoori. Kind of dark and the path could be little more even, but it's quite wide most of the way and not very crowded. I ran closer to Shinjuku Gyoen (the big government park) on the way back, but ended up with about the same distance both ways. Wasn't really up to going fast, given the new uncertain route and conditions, but did 11.4 km in 1 11'22'', which is okay.

Got the Saint Marc for 520 at Bien-Etre. It was very good, but not great (don't think I've ever had a great one) and the remaining selection was somewhat limited and did not interested me, so I won't be going back soon. Nice, bright, and clean little cafe space, though, so I'd definitely stop in there more if it were convenient, but of course, if it were convenient, so would be Fraoula, which is great, and Asterisque, which seems much more high end, is just another block, and is good and popular (I could get there too, if I wanted to add places to jog to during the week, since they're open until 8 pm).