Chez Lui: Cassis Dijon

Went to another shop on the neighborhood running course, this one in Suragaku-chou, down southwest from Shibuya Station. Never had high expectations for this shop based on never having heard any recommendations and the line-up, but I did have an excellent (rather old-fashioned Japanese) pastry. I went with Cassis Dijon. The card claims that it has chocolate crunch, would would be expected to go with cassis/blackcurrant, but I don't remember any crunch, just the bottom layer is thick chocolate sponge, which doesn't really go with anything, but certainly not with a mousse top. It does explain the low price, although the size would also explain that. Anyway, this cake reminded me of other cakes from similar old chains, just those cakes are not my style, so I won't need to get cakes as such from them, though I will try more pastries.

Jean-Paul Hévin, Verrine Chocolat Hirondelle

https://www.jeanpaulhevin-japon.shop/SHOP/998176.html

Today, Jean-Paul Hévin's verrine season started. The most appealing to me is the  Verrine Chocolat Hirondelle (where hirondelle means swallows, the birds), which is cream flavored with "verneine" (the liquor Verveine du Velay, I assume) over four-berry jelly (strawberry, cassis/blackcurrant, raspberry, and pomegranate) with thick Brazilian chocolate on top. I've never tried mixing it all together before eating, though that would probably be allowed. I'm more generous with these than previously, and am appreciating the advantage, as small bites are very flavorful. I'll say it was excellent, as it's likely to be my favorite of the current three. This year I might try the Verrine Chocolat Café, since it's Jean-Paul Hévin. But not this week. This didn't require an accompanying tea, which might be why I forgot to take a picture, so I'll include the official one and the link.