Morozoff: Cream Cheese Cake

Morozoff: Cream Cheese Cake

No running again, and we braved the Isetan basement again. It was late afternoon, so many things were sold out, of course. I recently found out that Morozoff is actually a Japanese company/brand from Kobe (and that their chocolate is not bad), not an import. I got the Cream Cheese Cake. This particular one is supposedly available only at Isetan, although of course they sell other cream cheese cakes elsewhere. This one uses 10% cream cheese made from dairy products from the Konsen district of Hokkaido, which I assume is the exclusive part. It was very good, and certainly different from what I usually get. It was 1026 yen and is pretty big, plenty for two people, but certainly further dividable. I consider this shop/counter good.

Take-out from Pierre Hermé

Pierre Hermé: Tarte Infiniment Vanilla

From home, we got cake from Pierre Hermé, although I looked at new place to blog, but they were out except chocolate shu cream (just like Tuesday night). Just had to put up with great cake from a great shop instead.
This time was Tarte Infiniment Vanilla again and Millefeuille Fraise Pistache (fraise pistache being the current "fetish"), for 700 and 800 plus 8% tax. The vanilla "cake" is great, which I knew already. It's vanilla in a white chocolate ganache, a rum biscuit, and vanilla mascarpone, in a tart shell.



Pierre Hermé: Millefeuille Fraise Pistache

The mille feuille is caramelized pie, strawberry compote, and pistachio-type mascarpone with freeze-dried strawberries in it, along with half a strawberry. It is very good and different.



Jean-Paul Hévin café/bar

No running, but went to the café/bar when I saw that there was no wait at Isetan. Actually, late in the afternoon, there were huge lines for cake various places, but still no line for the café/bar here, which is weird, but we didn't go a second time. Didn't have my camera, so had to use my cell phone.



Jean-Paul Hévin: Galette de Rois "Star" & Parisien hot chocolate

This is the Galette de Rois "Star", which is a chocolate "King cake", although no bean in it except the chocolate beans that make it a delicious, great cake. As is traditional for the French version, I guess, it is more pastry than cake. The hot chocolate is their Parisien (?), since it's a set for 1404 yen, which is close to what the drink is alone. I'm not sure whether you can just order a piece of this cake for take-out, although I recall seeing pictures of the whole cake, so maybe you can get that.





Jean-Paul Hévin: Douceur (blinis and hot coco) 

The other set was the Douceur with Equator as the hot coco, which I was less fond of than the Parisien. As you can see, the desert is Blinis with whipped cream and maple syrup, which were fine, but not the sort of cake I usually bother getting or blogging. This set is 1464 yen.



Local nonstop run and Hugo & Victor

Had some things to do at home, so kept the run simple and short: a nonstop run exploring south. Repeating a loop around the Tokyo gymnasium, before using the subway tunnel for the National Stadium Station to get over to in front of the former National Stadium (demolished) and loop around that construction site, as well as whatever the next block south is, which may be cheating, since they will presumably restart the traffic lights when they get the new construction sorted out, I could continue on to the A1 exit, which finally got me to a nonstop connection to JR Shinanomachi Station, which I didn't take up, since that opens up a lot of new possibilities in Yotsuya. Total run was 45'. I'm not sure how practical the subway route was, but it was pretty dead, so I did not bother anyone much running through at 7:30 pm on Dec 29. We'll see how practical that is other days and maybe later after the stadium is rebuilt. Weekends would presumably be more busy.



Hugo & Victor: George Amado

The cake was from Hugo and Victor, which is a new counter at Isetan. I got the George Amado (?), which is chocolate on the outside and mostly vanilla Bavarian cream with a relatively small amount chocolate mousse on a soft chocolate biscuit, with a walnut half, for 756 yen. This is what was left over and is a "new" cake for them, although they just opened last month or so, and is nothing special, certainly nothing to justify the price. I'm designating them "good", since it was fine, just boring. The Isetan webpage is promoting their mille feuille, so I should give that a try before I write them off.


Nihonbashi-Honjo-Fukugawa and Ohoribata H&Cs, Viron: Gateau Chocolat

Did an estimated 40.0 km today, so with 36 km yesterday, I think, it was a full weekend. Total running time for today is estimated at 4:07'58''.

First note: Paul's at Yotsuya Station (i) is not actually open at 7:30, at least this Sunday, and (ii) had a huge 20+ person line at 7:55, so I didn't stick around to get something for breakfast, but continued on to the beginning of the Hihonbashi-Honjo-Fukugawa History and Culture course (which I may need to abbreviate as a label). The 5 parts of the route are about 10.8 km, but since it forks where part 2 meets parts 3&4 and part 5, the effective length of running the whole thing in order (and doubling back over parts 3&4 rather than taking a shortcut) is 14.3 km, at least if you don't miss a turn toward the end and add another 800 m, which I did. My time was 1:32', which is fine. Usually I don't stop for food on the actual H&C course, but I did during the double-back and got a fresh cinnamon bun from a Little Mermaid that was delicious.

Once I finished this H&C route (which I liked quite a bit), since it was just 2 km away, I went to the end of the Ohoribata H&C course and ran it in reverse, which is my plan for any future runs on that course because the regular running direction is opposite the H&C course's and there are some narrow parts even where the course is not specifically marked as one-way (west half of north side). Of course, the H&C courses aren't meant to be run fast: the symbol that marks them is a snail. I often run against the regular running direction when I'm running to home with cake (as I did today), since the other side of the street along the south edge is quite unsafe due to traffic behavior, but I usually get off at the southwest corner, or at the latest in the middle of the west side at Shinjuku Dori/Street, which is before it gets narrow. My time for the reverse run on Ohoribata was 34'27'', as I was running pretty fast (this was during my third hour of running, so I was well warmed up).

From there, I went to the Viron in Marunouchi, as planned. I got the Gateau Chocolat and a Kouign Aman (or however they spelled it there) and ate the later immediately: it was quite delicious, but not cheap at 380 yen. The cake was 500 yen, and it almost seemed an unfair choice (in evaluating Viron), because it looked more like a bakery good, and they are a brasserie (sorry, this shop is a brasserie, but I meant a boulangerie---can't keep my French straight) more than a patisserie.

I went home and dropped off my cake and then did a round trip to the Shinjuku Post Office to mail a late Christmas card (they are open 24/7 and I don't know anywhere else to get exact postage for international letters). As a matter of disclosure, I got a raspberry, chocolate, white chocolate muffin (which I ate already, and it was good) and some sesame bread at Andersen in Isetan (40 km means 3 snacks and 1 cake, and the bread is for dinner and lunch(es) this week, if it lasts long enough).

Viron: Gateau Chocolat

Actually, the Gateau Chocolat was great. It was really dense and smooth, while being uniform and not fudgy. I assume that it's not baked, but I only have brownie-making experience myself. Since I've gotten up to 6 posted cakes from each of the places that I've designated "Great" on the map, my goal is to get all the "Worthy" (of interest) ones up to at least 2, but this great cake means Viron deserves an earlier next visit, since maybe they are an overlooked "Great" place (although I've had a/the few other cakes prior to starting blogging, so I'm thinking probably not).

The H&C courses so far have been fairly close, but I'm working my way outward. The farthest, which I haven't even added to the map yet (I've got three more, I think), starts at the foot of Takao Mt. but comes back toward central Tokyo rather than climbing the mountain. Even so, it would be about a 100 km round trip. I suspect that I'll hit my limit before then, since the next farthest course is longer and branching, so it might not be much different in required running distance, and even the next two would test my limits. Still several to go before then, though, and next weekend will probably be busy with other things, so it may be more than a week before the next long run. Fortunately, the days are getting longer again.

Setagaya H&C course, Sourire

The Setagaya History and Culture course runs from Shibuya Station to Futakotamagawa Station. I started down the wrong street from the beginning and had to back up, although I know this area and tried once before to follow this route, walking. Mostly, it's nice. There are a couple misplaced marker tiles suddenly showing the route coming from some place that would not make sense, but at least they point in the correct direction to continue. The bad part is near the end: after Kinuta Park, the marked route takes you back to a canal with reassuring tile markers telling you to continue and then turn right, after which it apparently gives up. What you need to do is turn on the river and not worry about the fact that you won't see any more of those markers. There are some new markers and a big map of the usual style showing a more direct route from the park, though I haven't found an on-line reference.

After a snack from the Paul at the Takashima there, I was able to take Komazawa Dori/Street back, although got way off track looking for a different route than my normal when Komazawa links up to old Yamanote.

On the way back, I picked up Caramel Noir from Sourire for 500 yen. This was kind of a challenge for this shop which I marked as "worthy" of special attention, since I'm not fond of some flavors of caramel, both a challenge to the shop and a challenge to me to expand my palate, if that word is appropriate. It's a walnut caramel and a chocolate caramel, I think, or maybe I misunderstood the card. Anyway, it was interesting and although not my thing/great, I would be willing have it again as something shared if someone wanted to get it.



Sourire: Caramel Noir

In other running news, I may have already mentioned that they repaved the part of the Meji Jingu Gaien course that they had ripped up. The timing probably had to do with an event that I say last weekend taking place. Comping back Saturday, half the width was roped off for people running in an event, although they were not going so fast, so I thought it was a short race (and someone was in a reindeer jumpsuit). When I went by Sunday morning, they were still going (including reindeer man), although there were some walkers and even standers. It turns out, I learned from asking staff, that they were doing a 24-hour run. That explained the sensor mats across the path. So there are crazier people than me, although know that idea is in my head. Fortunately, running in a circle is not my usual thing.

As far as a my map (first link above) goes, after being strict with Origines Cacao, I decided that I had to be stricter with everyone, so I demoted Bigarreaux and Fraoula, though I love them both. Just, I want to save "great" for places that mostly have great cake. Ryoco is still in there (and when they recover from Chirstmas cake season and reopen when I can go, I'll visit), but Aigre-Douce is on the edge. I expect to be strict with the "worthy" ones and even "good" ones, which I'll eventual review, unless I find a new reliable source for good unvisited cake shops.

Christmas Eve Run: no (shop) cake

Was doing 1 min/1 min intervals, although I was going down Aoyama Dori/Road, so there was a lot of dodging and then crowds at Shibuya that continued beyond through to Yamanote Dori/Road. I tried to go to a new shop, but it was closed. I'm irritated that I had checked their website and still did not get information that they would be closed, but I respect that a good place would not be available now for petits gateaux. I'll visit them again in a month (I didn't bother to write down their schedule posted on their door or photograph it with my phone camera; I'll just wait until Christmas Cake season, New Year's, and associated shop holidays are all over generally). I'm going to try to go to a worthy place Saturday that claims to be open, but if that fails, I will try Isetan, despite the crowds that I know will be there.

I managed 70 minutes of "running", but as I said, some of that was necessarily walking (and I lot of climbing of pedestrian overpasses) and I could not always run fast even when I was supposed to, but I'm hoping that I was able to get a better workout than yesterday, when I ran a long way, but didn't really feel it the next day. Tomorrow will be a no running day (although not because of Christmas), and so no shop cake, although I thawed out a chocolate cheese cake tart and ate half today, so I'll be okay tomorrow. I need to make space in the freezer for other food, and those tarts have been there for a few weeks. Also, I have some cookie failures to eat up (I've saving the only semi-failures) and I need to do a lot of cleaning before I try cookies again, as well as pecan pie tarts.

Ohoribata H&C (sort of) and Hidemi

Tried to do the Ohoribata History and Culture course at the worst possible time, late morning of the Japanese emperor's birthday, when there's some big event on the palace side and that southeast edge is closed. Also, with half of the course along the most crowded jogging course I know, it's pretty crazy to be jogging opposite the standard direction (which I knew, but am always doing it anyway on the way home with cake), so next time I do this course I'll do it in reverse. Otherwise, most of the course is east and non-stop. The beginnings and endings are not marked well and are in busy areas with lots of traffic lights, as I've commented about that area before,. Also, it's kind of boring as a course because it's so familiar, but relatively convenient if I want to buy cake that way.

Because of running into crowds around the palace side and then having to figure out how to detour south and ultimately end up not so far from where I entered them, it took 44'48'' for just 6 1/3 km.

As planned, I got one piece of cake from Hidemi, although because of various problems, I did not arrive until well after 12, which meant a good wait. It looked like there were people in line who were not going to get any cake when I left, since they don't bring out more cake later, as far as I know [okay, I have seem them bring out more cake at around 11:20, so maybe they are not completely limited by the size of their display]. I got the Mangue Cassis, which is Mango and Cassis mousses and costs 680 yen. This cake is small, expensive, and not interesting at all, so I'm putting Hidemi in the "worthy" column rather than "great", and moving on to further exploring elsewhere. Also, my cake was fairly loose in the box, so the top pieces fell off, although at least they gave my cake to me quickly (other people got the full wrapping of the box in another layer of somewhat spongy plastic wrap, but the six shop people were busy, so unlike last time someone apparently judged that I didn't need the additional wrapping, which I didn't, on the outside).



Hidemi: Mangue Cassis

Later, I went to Fraoula, wanting some fresh baked goods, specifically a croissant and a bostock, but for the holidays, they were sticking to cake and longer lasting baked goods. I went the long way, exploring how far west I could go nonstop and also took a long confusing route back and stopped for shopping a couple places. The last 1 km or so was just walking. Total running was about 3 hours.

Local run: Henri le Roux (Isetan): Gateau Chocolat

Got cake from Isetan and then just ran around the neighbor for an hour plus, exploring nonstop routes (i.e., no stoplights that I would ever have to wait for). Went farther south than previously, but it still involved overlapping route stretches, which I'm trying to avoid, although a figure eight through an intersection is acceptable. I can get further east using a bridge over Meiji Dori/Road, but I was exploring southwest, where I can do a good sized loop except there's only one route west to begin with, so I think there is no avoiding overlapping in that direction. However, I realize how to get further southeast by going west and spiraling back over and under a bridge, I think. From there I can get to across from Akasaka Palace, but again, I think there is no other way out, so I'd have to overlap to come back.



Henri le Roux: Gateau Chocolat

The cake was Gateau Chocolat for 496 from Henri le Roux, which was one of the two places I still wanted to introduce from Isetan, although they only have a few fresh things. Now it's hard to find petit gateau anywhere because it's Christmas cake season, which are for more than one person, as well as very expensive even for the size. Even caramelier and chocolatier Henri le Roux had 10,000 yen cakes (not really that big a cake). Their chocolate cake is tiny, but very rich. Actually, there is a caramel-like chocolate cream center, so it's richer than it even looks. Great cake. It may be their only great cake, but I'll still designate them "worthy" on the map and plan for a relative early return, just on principle. I'm even willing to get an eclair, if necessary.


33.4 km. Meguro-Den'enchofu H&C: Origines Cacao

Today's run was on the Meguro-Den'enchofu History and Culture route. Actually, I started at the new route start point, whereas my map is for the old map, as best I can figure, so I timed maybe a few tens of meters less of route, but since I spent 1.05 km in double-backs this time due to differences between the new and old maps, it's not a big issue. Next time (and I like this route, both for running and for where it takes me, quite a bit, so I expect a next time), I'll check out the marker at Meguro Station that I spotted with Google Street View and see where both today's route and the route from yesterday should go if I follow the old route shown on markers, which is my preference. I also used Street View to find a marker that I missed on today's run, and I could even see why I missed it: the shop in front of it likes to put out banners that would block the view coming up to it on the route.

Total run breaks down into 7 km to get to the start point, 11.9 km for the route itself (see above comment about approximately 1 km more in deviations), and 14.5 km back by way of Origines Cacao and Cuoca (a baking supply store on the first floor of the same building). Times for the three parts were 45'45'', 1:25'46'', and 1:39'47'' for a total of 3:51'18''. Given yesterday's run, the times seem okay. The first part was also slow because I didn't want to press it anyway before I got to a main route that I'm keeping track of the best time for, and the last part, besides cake, I had 1 kg of powdered sugar in my backpack, so I was additionally motivated to take it easy and not mess up my back again. 

It was colder today and I started earlier, so I put on a heavier windbreaker and wore thicker gloves (gloves that I had forgotten about). 

With yesterday's run, I estimate that I did just short of 74 km for Saturday and Sunday, which is a personal record. The right knee seemed to be the weak point again, although it held together. Actually, it's probably not the knee's fault. I'm doing more stretching of my legs, especially the right side, and now my feet (it's not really the running that seems to be the problem there initially, but the business shoes: I've got to make sure I exercise more my toe and foot muscles, as well as stretch my Achilles tendon). I guess next would be either 55 km in one day or break 80 km in two days, although I won't try the latter if I do the former. Unfortunately, next weekend I scheduled the gas company inspection for 3 pm Saturday, so I have to plan around that. Also, Wed. is a holiday (Japanese emperor's birthday), so balancing out my running is more complicated this week. Maybe I'll run again tomorrow night, skip Tue night, run moderately Wed and Thu, skip Fri, and get up early for a long run Saturday to some distant H&C route. 



Origines Cacao: Lyonnaise

On to cake: today's cake from Origines Cacao was Lyonnaise for 497 yen. This was very good. According to the description, it's chocolate mousse and raspberry ganache and mousse. I'm not sure how the last "mousse" works in, but there visible raspberry in the center, and also the bottom mousse layers seemed to have raspberry in it (raspberry flavor lingers, so it's hard to tell). As I said, it is very good, for a pile of mousse, which is very different from yesterday's cake. Also, I read the card on the Quiza that made me put Origines Cacao on review for its greatness designation, and it explained that the flavor was light intentionally, which was supposed to make the aftertaste more refreshing; maybe I should give it another try some time, but I've probably got enough great cakes recorded that I won't get around to that anytime soon.

The snack of the day (it's a long run) was a Kouign Amann (no picture) for 320 yen from Paris S'éveille. A huge tray had just been put out at, apparently (since they were warm and it was full), so it's worth knowing that this was just before 10:51, because this was so delicious: a flaky pastry around a still warn and soft lump of butter and sugar. It really hit the spot about 20 km in, although maybe just slight heavy for running.

40+ km, Ginza-Tsukada and Shiba-Takanawa H&C, visiting Hidemi and Lettre d'Amore [Closed]

Did two History and Culture courses today which start at the same intersection, but returning home in between for a 20 to 30 minute pit stop. The Ginza-Tsukada one is short, is pretty crowded with lots of stoplights at the beginning, and requires a slight detour since the north side of the pedestrian walk for the main bridge is out. Just the course, which is about 4 km, took 24'13''75, which includes the detour and one double back of 0.1 km where I missed a turn.

I visited Hidemi Sugino again, this time getting the Améthyste for 680 yen, which is mint (?) green apple flavored butter cream and cassis butter cream. Fruit is not always my favorite, but I'm going to give this the benefit of the doubt and say it was great. They went light enough on the cassis to not tilt the flavor that way. Note that, due to being busy with Christmas cake, not only are they closed Sundays (and Mondays), but the salon is closed. There was a line just after opening, but it was diminishing when I arrived, so you can probably get there a little before noon and still be okay.

Total for this run was 17.28 km and took 2 03'53'', although that might have included the beginning of the next run, as I had multiple problems with my timing today. I should say that it was very windy, so I gave up on the hat part way home.



Hidemi: Améthyste

The second run was down the Shiba-Takanawa course. This is a forked course, so actually I ran the due-south leg both directions, which made the total for that course 11.04 km. Somehow, I restarted the run on my watch, so I'm completely confused about how long it was, although given that I had more than .5 km of doublebacking, it would not have been very characteristic. Too much of this is along main roads that were not too exciting, but since both south ends meet the beginnings of other courses, I'll be going at least partially be going along them again, maybe. Also, lots of stoplights at the beginning. At least there is room for running all the way and a lot of slopes, for good and bad.

Coming back from Meguro Station, I went to Lettre d'Amour and got Pomme Caramel for 480 yen. Actually, this is essentially pie, but it was a good choice for the gale-force (?) winds that I encountered at one point (almost couldn't move forward) and it hit the spot. After all, I had already had a fluffy creamy piece of cake today. Excellent cake/pie.

Well, if my body and the weather allow it, I'll see whether I can get down to Jiyugaoka and back tomorrow.

Run to Potager: Ginger Chocolate Mousse

Decided to give Potager a try, finally. They're known for vegetable sweets, and besides their versions of patisserie cakes and cookies, sell soy noodles, although maybe that's related to whatever they serve as a café besides cake. It's a little over 6 km and I could get there in about 36 minutes running. I forget whether I arrived at 7:20 or 7:30, but they had both several customers and a variety of cakes left.



Potager: Ginger Chocolate Mousse

I chose the Ginger Chocolate Mousse for 470 yen, which is in a standard chocolate mousse cake form with a cream center. The ginger seemed to be actually tiny pieces of ginger, enough to crunch a little, rather than making it a mousse like the chocolate, but it was just a slight accent rather than trying to really compete with the chocolate, despite its "abundant" use. I choose a standard form of cake which actually I often have trouble with, maybe being burned out on it, but in this case it was fine. It was not a rich chocolate or a strong chocolate, but it was not watery so I could enjoy it and the ginger (and a tea flavor accent as well, supposedly). Thus, it was successful as a run and a cake source: within my range in terms of distance and operating hours and having good cake worth the trip. I'm designating it "worthy" (for lack of a better term for shops that I'm especially interested in that aren't at the "great" level of the top places). I'm starting to reorganize my map in preparation for when I'll want to visit some shops on the map that I haven't blogged about but visited in the past.

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Imperial moat course and Shiseido: Amaretto Raisin

Got my cake first, from the Shiseido Parlour counter at Isetan. I'm not sure whether they have cake at any of their other outlets. Haven't see it if they have. I got the Amaretto Raisin for 453 yen, which is reasonable. They only have a few cakes and the milli feuille, mont-blanc, short cake, and shu cream (puff) are usually going to be among them, so not a huge selection, but worth being aware of.

Jogged comfortably over the the imperial moat course and timed myself for one lap: 25'38''09, which is consistent with my best times elsewhere, even using my older heavy shoes. Special features of the course are that, starting from the middle of the west side, where Shinjuku Road runs into it and there's a park and a guard post, it's at its steepest going downhill. It's maybe flat along the south side, but then turns to a steady uphill for the next half the course, even after you turn the corner onto the west side from the north. Also, it's crowded, although I didn't run into huge problems. At one corner, there were a couple people holding signs promoting some race Jan 29, so maybe it was the Shinjuku half marathon, although I didn't recognize that as what they were saying.

Back home, I had the Amaretto Raisin, which is named for the liquor, which it has, but it was not noticeably alcoholic. I didn't know it was so I asked, which made the clerk look it up. Actually, what she told me was apricots, which is what amaretto is made from, that and almonds usually, I guess. Actually, she confirmed last that I was okay with it having alcohol before finalizing the sale: she's not irresponsible. Now, if only clerks did that for things with coffee in them. Lots of fruit in this cake, including raisins, of course, with just an outer wrapping of mousse, which worked for me: excellent cake. I'll have to go back and read the description, but I wonder if the actual outer bottom cake part (which is shy of 1 cm thick, I think) reminded me of ginger, although maybe that's the Amaretto flavor. Counter is worth keeping an eye on.

Still got a couple counters at Isetan that I definitely need to blog/add to the map, and maybe a few others that I might eventually. Oh, and there's Rose Bakery on the third floor: I assume that you can get takeout from there.

Weekday run to Paris S'éveille

I left from work as soon as possible and rushed home to change and go running so that I could get to Paris S'éveille in Jiyugaoka as soon as possible (specifically, I needed to get there by 8 pm, but since I did not know how early they sold out, never having been there either on a weekday or at night, I was motivated to arrive as early as possible). Made a lot of street lights and manged not much more than 1 h 10 minutes real time and 1 06'36'' by the somewhat crazy route I took, which was about 12 km long, so I really was running hard. There were about four types of cake left when I arrived just after 7:30 and got in a short line, plus many fondants and lots of interesting looking baked things, so even if they had run out of cake, I would have had something interesting, I think. Still, I should see if a shorter route would be faster (with lights, it is not necessary, and Google maps lies about where you can cross Ring Road 7). Originally, I was thinking I would run back, but that's a long way to run with cake and I had other things to do tonight, so I took the train, which was not very crowded that direction and I could get the commuter express.

The cake was Tarte Tentation aux Cassis aux Figue for 600 yen, which is, of course, a (tempting) fig and blackcurrant tart. It's two layers of mousse on top of a dark biscuit (other flavors were strong and I didn't squat down to read the card through the glass, so I'm not sure about the flavor, but it was just a couple millimeters thick, but the right degree of firmness). On top is fig and a little cassis cream. This was excellent. Actually, I was not sure at the time of eating, but my opinion improves as I think back, so I guess I'm willing to say that it was great. It was certainly different and I would recommend it to others.

Now the problem is the next underrepresented great shop is Origines Cacao (which closes at 7:30 pm, so it would be tough to get there in time, but I could almost do it, if I tightened up my route and continued to be lucky with the lights).

Ikebukuro H&C, Aigre-Douce and Shirokanedo

There was light rain, but I went out and did the Ikebukuro History and Culture course, as shown on the map. It took 34'01''60 to get to the end (for some reason, I didn't look up the direction first and did it in reverse; I'll try to straight that out for next time) and another 1 20'29''57 to give up on finding the beginning, which included one long double back where I missed a turn and a circling back around Kishimojin (characters, Demon Child Mother God) because the online map which I copied into my map book skips it but the markers (if I were going in the correct direction) go right past it. The online map makes up the distance by moving the route "before" that further west, which doesn't seem necessary, except to get people off a narrow street. I suppose I should have done both versions there just to see what was on the posted route, but following markers in reverse, it screwed me up for the next turn. I'll take a look next time. The railway crossing "after" the temple near there seems to have been under construction for years (at least it was a couple/few years ago when I last traveled it, which at least at that time of day required two guys to direct traffic). An advantage of the following the intended direction would be that it was be mostly downhill instead of uphill. Anyway, there is lots of room to improve my speed.

From Ikebukuro (where I verified that Pierre Hermé has at least a few cakes at the Seibu counter), I went to Aigre-Douce to get cake and then hurry home and shower in time to be no more late for my appointment than the other person was. The cake was Fraicheur Exotique for 600 yen. I'm not sure what made it exotic, maybe some sort of citrus fruit in the meringue on top. The chocolate was the watery chocolate that I don't like, although not the worst I've had by any means. I didn't have much time to explore this when eating it, but the name suggests that this was chocolate whipped cream between the layers of chocolate cake, which might explain why I was not impressed with it (whipped cream is not a good filling in general, in my opinion). This was not revolting, but still disappointing enough that I reviewed my ratings so see whether this should stay a great cake shop. It's had a couple great cakes, so I'll give them another chance before I demote them.

My appointment was for shopping. After, we just barely had time to get some cake at Isetan, and Shirokanedo was chosen. I would have chosen elsewhere (as the counter: I got to choose Isetan), but was okay with it. I've had a couple cakes from there since they replace the California place but didn't get into them. The cake was Ichigo ("strawberry") Tarte for 594 and a Wafuu (I think, but I didn't have time to take notes, but means "Japanese-Style") Mont-Blanc for 810 yen. It's Isetan, so I can update the names later, when I have time. The tart was fine. It was a very flaky crust, with the flakes being radial, which was interesting, but still not a substitute for great cake. Just a little custard (and no whipped cream). The Mont-Blanc was actually the best of the day. It was not as good as Jean-Paul Hevin's, but otherwise very good, as it should be for the price. Still not particularly interested in this place (which has an actual shop that I should put on the map), but I'm willing to eat things from there again.

Speaking of whipped cream, I received cookies from La Primeur, and they were fine. I also really like the cookies from Henri Charpentier, but would have been more disappoint if there had been select today.

To Jouvaud in Hiroo: Petit Désirade

Tried Jouvaud in Hiroo again, and this time they had several types of cake. Guess Friday night is a good time to go. I struggle deciding and got the Petit Désirade, which was foolish: I'm attracted to chocolate but these chocolate mousse domes usually don't work out. This was okay though, which is better than average. I don't think I'll designate Jouvaud as being of special interest yet, but I'll look forward to going back again someday, since it's close and open until 8 pm. This was only 508 yen. It's chocolate glaze over chocolate mouse around a little vanilla cream on top of small disk of sponge cake all on top of a hard biscuit base. Nothing bad about any of it, it was nice.

The run was first a straight there and back, which took 25 minutes there and 27 minutes back, more from being downhill there and uphill back than my being tired or the cake slowing me down so much, although it was a little windy. After putting away the cake in the refrigerator, I went out and ran in the neighborhood of another 39 minutes, just because it was a nice night (after the heavy raid this morning, it shot up to over 24 deg C in the afternoon) and I don't expect to have a chance to run again until Sunday night. I think I've figured out that my problem around my right hip is that I'm really stiff, which is how I got into back problems after 1998. So I'm trying to do a lot of stretching.. There's plenty else bad that's going to keep me slow, but it would be nice to be able to move my legs more.

11 km to Demel: Sachertorte

Today, I was doing 1 min/1 min intervals, but not sure how many I did before I just ran, due to crowded sidewalk and then being in a hurry to arrive before closing: less than 15, but probably more than 10. I went down the usual route south through Aoyama Cemetery to go to Jouvaud, but they were sold out of fresh cake at 19:10. I was prepared to go to Takagi as a backup, but I've visited them enough for now and I had time, so I circled back to Isetan. They also were pretty low on cake at the counters that I was checking, so I settled for Demel and got, what else, the Sachertorte, which was 540 yen. This is a traditional Sachtorte: "A fine chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam under the chocolate glaze, with a triangular Demel seal." The frosting/jam is really sweet, so you could get tired of this, but it's been a few years for me from here, so no problem. It was very good.

Akasaka Palace and Del'Immo: Cassis Chocolat

Went to the Akasaka Palace loop to set a benchmark time for 1 lap. Getting there and back and taking another lap around to get cake at Del'Immo, it totaled 9 or 10 km of running, which is not a lot, but that 1 lap I ran pretty hard, so I'm plenty tired. Managed just under 16'51'' for 3.3 km. Getting cold with just a shirt and super light summer jacket though, once I slow down for the rest of the run, anyway, so I need to add a layer now, I think (or wear one of my cheap heavy jackets).

At Del'Immo, I got the Cassis Chocolat, which is what it sounds like. Just seeing all those fancy cakes made me happy. So different from the new shops that I visited last weekend. The cake was 540 yen, has cassis mousse, chocolate mousse, and chocolate biscuit. Reading online, it says it is perfect with wine (or whisky), which is what I had decided when eating it, so I guess it's common sense. The chocolate is not that strong compared to the cassis, which is okay. They give percentages of chocolate, and this one is only 40%, although that is higher than my last cake from there. This cake was very good, so I'll keep them as a shop of special interest. I'm behind on that category compared to the great shops in terms of numbers of cakes blogged (I figure 1:2 proportion would be good).

Since I was satisfied with this one, I can try a new (or at least not posted about) shop next rather than needing to do a great shop. If the rain holds out, I'll go down to Hiroo, but otherwise I'll visit Isetan and see if I can resist the great shops to get something from somewhere different.

(Jiyugaoka) Mont-Blanc

Started out running okay, but after a couple kilometers, my left knee started to hurt, so I should have rested. Seemed to be able to walk okay, so kept going, which I regretted halfway, but things were okay.

At (Tokyo Jiyugaoka) Mont-Blanc, I did not get the Mont-Blanc, I got the Exotic, which is relative, for 500 yen. This is apparently almond biscuit and white chocolate mousse with passion fruit, mango, and apricot in three layers, I think. Actually, the passion fruit completely dominated. It was okay. The biscuit was good quality and the flavor was fine, if limited. It's a big cake for a reasonable price, but it's nothing I need again. So they seem to be good, but not really what I'm looking for. Probably if I ever go back, I should go ahead and get a Mont-Blanc.

50.5 km Nakano-Shakujii History and Culture route

Today's goal was to navigate the Nakano-Shakujii History and Culture route from Shinjuku Central Park to Shakujii Park. First, going to Shinjuku Central Park, I found a third marker on the west side for the Shinjuku H&C route telling you where to take the second turn. This is redundant with the first marker, which does not show this marker on its map, but it does confirm which side of the street you are expected to run on, so I'll continue to look for markers. This part took 18'14''40.

Going north from where a starting marker would be, if there was one (it's possible that it's covered by a homeless living site, but I don't think so), at least there is a big map plaque confirming both the Nanano-Shakujii and Shinjuku H&C routes at the northeast corner of the park. The route is good, although not well marked everywhere. A couple marker map plaques were gone (the round ones don't seem to be as durable), and I marked on the map a couple places where the on-the-ground route did not match the posted 2010 route. Saw a couple cheap plastic markers that I hadn't noticed before where there are route changes, but couldn't read the second, so I'll be on the look out for those now. I hope to learn the route and make more use of it, when I'm up for visiting the few good shops up that way. According to the plot I made with Google, this H&C course is 15.4 km, which today, even with one double-back, took 1:30'09''70, which seems low, and yet I feel I should be able to improve it, or maybe I'll just have to correct it.

From there I went to La Primeur, in Nerima, which on the map I describe as having a "[l]arge variety very simple (like, elementary school Home Ec.), cheap, not particularly high-quality cakes , tarts, and other creations somewhere in between. Not my thing at all. If I still lived in this area, I might go back and try one of the fruit tarts. Note, need to order a beverage for the cafe, even when the cafe is only half full at noon on a Saturday." What I actually got was the Strawberry Millefeuille for a reasonable 410 yen. The millefeuille part sort of surrounds it, which is one strategy for making milefeuille easy to eat, although parts were still a little soggy and at its best was far from the good stuff that I've had. Mostly, this not-a-cake and not-a-tart is a way to organize whipped cream and strawberries, much like most strawberry short cake, and so would appeal to the same crowd. The custard underneath on a small biscuit base doesn't really help. It wasn't bad eating it: except for the millefeuille, the ingredient quality was fine, and even the millefeuille was only poor by comparison with other things calling themselves millefeuille, but I didn't respect it and was not thrilled with having it inside me afterward. It did mean that I did not have to buy any bread on the way (also, I was carrying about 350 kcal of homemade brownie, and ate about the same ammout of shortbread before starting out), so it served a purpose. I ran about another 18 minutes back to the park to eat it.

Expecting not the be satisfied with La Primeur, I next headed to Hidemi, although by this point it was late so they were sold out by the time I got there at 3 pm. The route is on the map. Haven't really done much running on the Shin ("new") Mejiro Road, so it felt a little weird, since I've been on bits of it and it goes through places I know or where I've run the opposite way on the opposite side of the river or highway. I got useful information from the experience, although I was kind of winging it without confidence when I left it. Took about 2:30' from the park to Hidemi.

I treated Hidemi's being sold out as a way to motivate me to keep going. It took 59'31'' running to go to Isetan and then home with cake from Sadaharu Aoki: Cassissier for the 891 yen (only, supposedly) at Shinjuku Isetan. I had to go to the 10th anniversary page to find a short Japanese description: this is cassis and chocolate. In the past, they've supposedly had Cassis Chocolat, which had cassis in white chocolate and looked the same, except for having almonds on the bottom, but no fruit. I think this also has the usual feuillantine praliné. This was great, not surprisingly.

Total running time for the day's run was about 5:27. Since I broke my one-day distance record and also already visited a great shop, I'm not sure what I'll do tomorrow. I need to look at routes for heading down to Jiyugaoka and check how I'm feeling in the morning.

1 min intervals to Louange Tokyo: Cube-Caramel

Ran down to try a new shop. Did about 11 intervals of 1 min + 1 min fast to get there. Took the regular route down to Aoyama Road and then through Aoyama Cemetery to the Shibuya History and Culture route. The last part maybe isn't that great late at night, as far as traffic and sidewalk, but still okay.

At Louange Tokyo, I had a choice of 6 cakes and didn't choose well: I chose the Cube-Caramel for 846 yen (they're all the same shape and cost). I should only order caramel from shops that I've already judged based on other cakes, because the chance that I'll like it is low. This one had caramel mousse, caramel brulée, praline ganache, biscuit Joconde (which I think is almond added to meringue to make cake, versus using baking soda/power to get some sponge), and various nuts. Some parts were good (the nuts), but overall it's not a flavor that I like. It was a well-made cake, seemed like, and not small, but it would have to be pretty good for me to be satisfied at the price. Still, even only designating it as not bad but not worth special attention, it's close and open late, so I'll probably get over there for a second cake eventually (hopefully before the go out of business, not that I have reason to know whether that is likely).

No running or cake tomorrow, so it will be homemade. I want to make shortbread, which I've never done, just because it sounds good, so I should finally get myself an actual cookie sheet or big flat cake pan, although I can use the pans that fit the open if I stay away from their edges, since they are more fit for roasting something (I think I used them for pizza before I got my pizza stone, but otherwise I'm not sure what I use them).

Saturday, I hope to get over to La Primeur, but since it is Saturday and I missed my chance last week, I'd like to also visit Hidemi for takeout cake, which will make it a long run. For Sunday, I'm thinking about going up to Aigre-Douce.

Amitié: Fraise Fraiche

Rainy evening, but didn't go far, just Amitié around Kagurazaka. Ate in, and let the rain thin out. Not many choices today, though. I asked for a recommendation, so I choose the Fraise Fraîche, which is strawberry short cake. I'm not that into strawberry short cake, but it was good and I was okay with it as a change. At only 390 yen, it's a good deal, but still, I need cake I like better to keep me running. I'm tempted to just call this a normal shop, but I'll keep it on the "of interest" list. I still haven't found a course I want to take to get there, though.

Pierre Hermé and Gaien laps: Infiniment Vanille

Had to work late, so changed my plan and went to Isetan for cake. Was going to visit some place I haven't blogged yet there, but took a look at Pierre Hermé and did not resist the Infiniment Vanille.

For running, my goal was just 2 laps within 6'50'' at Meiji Gingu Gaien. After reaching that, I continued, since my time remained under 7', until the middle of the fifth lap, when I needed to tie my shoes, despite what I thought was a good effort to avoid that problem.

Times were 6'20''48, 6'24''29, 6'29''05, and 6'36''17, so I've got 3 laps under 6'30'', 4 laps averaging under 6'30'', and 4 laps under 6'40'' as current bests. Total distance today was about 9 km, but I had some speed, so it seemed enough. Next time I'll double-tie those shoelaces.

The cake, Infiniment Vanille, was 756 yen. It has almond biscuit, vanilla cream, and vanilla gel. I'm not thrilled by gelatin and the biscuit was not that exciting. Still, it was good cake, but I know I like the Tarte Infiniment Vanille better, so it did not seem great. I should have gotten the Millefeuille Infiniment Vanille, which ends Thursday. Can't have everything. Instead, I want to make a second trip to Amitié (closed today) and then maybe my first cake from Louange Tokyo.