P. le Pommier: Le Pommier

P. le Pommier is visiting Isetan, so, even though I've sampled them enough in the past to know that they aren't great, I also know they aren't bad and I have some respect for them, so I got their signature piece, the Le Pommier for 540 yen. Now, the shop is not trying to be that high-end, but rather more family friendly but still authentically French. They have three shops and get invited to Isetan, so they aren't doing to bad. This particular cake has a dacquoise base, which their website actually explains (it's hazelnut mixed with meringue, which is exactly what I've been making lately, only if you bake it long to caramelize it as I have, it becomes Japonaise instead), which is kind of nice but also a sign of the friendliness over sophisticated, which I would trade for the latter, although only if it came through in the cakes. Anyway, there are also a couple of hazelnuts on top, so the dark color of the base gives away the hazelnut powder, but it's a wet sponge in this case because the bulk is caramelized sautéd apple mousse and pretty loose and wet. There is a little chocolate ganache in between the mouse and dacquoise, but not so much, certainly not enough to form a barrier (although wet chocolate would not be a good idea). It is very good, put I can't say that I like it enough to call it excellent, that it's something I need to have again, though it has the advantage of being different from my usual stuff.