Saturday afternoon: Jean-Paul Hévin

Went shopping and got a second pair of running shoes (since shoes need rest). These were ones like real runners use, people who can do marathons twice as fast as I do. That may or may not have been a good idea, but they seem okay. Also I got a sports watch that has a lap chronometer and a repeating double timer, which also may or may not have been a good idea; the band is semitransparent and you can set an LED to flash for night running. It's not that bright, but a little help is not a bad idea.

For cake, we went to Shinjuku Isetan and got the seasonal Mont-Blanc, which is apparently the most seasonal, for 674 yen. For technical reasons, I can't post the picture I took, so you'll have to visit the website. This is a meringue almond base, whipped cream middle, and fresh chestnut cream. I'm not that into mont-blanc in general, despite it being very popular in Japan, but this is a great cake and the best Mont-blanc I've ever had, unless the best is actually one of the flavored Jean-Paul Hévin Mont-blancs, which have not arrived yet. You can only buy this Friday thru Sunday and holidays. Not sure how long it will last, but in some form at least through December, I would imagine.

The other cake was the seasonal (but available every day) Fondant du Chocolat. This is ganache wrapped around pear inside chocolate cake with powered sugar on top (actually, the Mont-blanc, also has powered sugar) for 717 yen. This is also great cake, and also not my favorite because I don't like pears in my cake, or at least this cake. Still, this was better than last time I had it, when it was perhaps too hot and the cake needed some time in the refrigerator before eating. On the other hand, Chocolat Fondant that I've had from elsewhere recommended microwaving for 20 seconds, although I don't regret not doing that for this one, since I don't really want to bring out the pear more. But it, and the Mont-Blanc, did taste great, I'm not just saying it's great on its technical merits.

Someone who expected a different price also ordered two Maron Confit (that is, candied chestnuts) and I did not object. These were 460 yen a piece. They were very good.