Éclat des Jours: Shortcake

Went in the rain by bicycle to Éclat des Jours. I could have used a little warmer clothes, but was fine. I went early for the selection, but decided on a standard cake that I had been avoiding, their Shortcake. This cake is on the top row with the cream puffs and is only 400 yen before tax (not that other cakes are that expensive), so it's getting special treatment, maybe as a staple of Japanese cake shops. Anyway, though shortcake can be among the most expensive cakes, due to using premium fruits, this cake was trying for that. Certainly, the strawberry seemed ordinary, which is fine. It was still a good cake and I'm happy to be able to enjoy it.

Only one more of the accessible (i.e., not Ryoco) quite exceptional shops needs a cake, Toshi Yoroizuka, though new priority cakes should become available next week, so I might not get to it for a couple weeks, though I don't know yet what I'll do Saturday. I'm actually hoping Sadaharu Aoki premiers the next season of cakes early. Even with the above bicycling (1.5 hours), I went out in the evening again by bicycle down to the Ebisu area and made use of a bike parking area for the first time and ran (or tried to run) the local loops. Was able to do the revised Ebisu-Nishi loop clockwise this time and finished confirming the Ebisu-Minami and Ebisu 1 loops, failed on the Ebisu 4 loop. I hope to at least finished off the Ebisu-Nishi loop Friday before so trying the next loop in order, the revised Daita-... loop, Saturday.

Origines Cacao: Saint-Honoré Caramel Poire

Wednesday, I went for my 23rd new cake (I think, updating) from Origines Cacao and finally got the Saint-Honoré Caramel Poire (I hope that's correct). I ran there, but saint-honoré look a little fragile and the shop seemed a little concerned about my being careful (though that might have been my imagination), so I walked back, and also my right foot gives me trouble, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to rest it (though the problem is not obviously correlated with running). I expect to be pretty active tomorrow, probably bicycle first in the afternoon, then do weights, and then run in the evening.

The cake was definitely the kind I like, so although I can't be sure that it was better than the previous two days', it was excellent for me. The shop still is still challenging FC two ranks above, so I think I can justify going back next week.

La Vie Douce, Marronnier

Tuesday, I got a 6th cake from La Vie Douce, which is challenging the bottom of the next shop category, the exceptional shops. I got the Marronnier (horse-chestnut) early, did my non-weights indoor workout (Monday I did the weights workout after running), and went for about a 90 minute run. My target was the highest priority neighborhood loop, which was the revised Ebisu-Nishi west loop, which I failed, as I didn't recognize an old turn (I think they changed the billboard, but I should just remember that it's the first left after incoming link route). On the way, I finished verifying the Higashi north loop and did two new loops clockwise, the Ebisu-Minami loop and the Ebisu 1 loop. Maybe I'll get back there again on Thursday. It depends how I decide to travel to the Tooyou-chou Station area.

The cake, which has hazelnut, chestnut, and cassis/currant, was definitely good. It's a fall cake, so more nutty than sweet. It's really a quite fine shop, I just wish they would make their yuzu Chiboust again.

Viron: Caramel Chocolat au Lait

Ran to Viron Monday night. I didn't really run so fast, I thought, but the time passed fast. Even coming back with the rain getting heavy, it did not seem like a long run, though it's longer than a Ginza run and there was only a tiny bit of walking underground. I delayed posting because I'm really not sure what's in this Caramel Chocolat au Lait. The chocolate is in the base of the tart shell, so it's not visible. This is maybe slightly more caramel above that, that is also not visible, but seemed rather red, so I wonder if there is something more than caramel. I'll have to ask next time I go by. It was definitely good and appropriate for some place that is more of bakery than a cake shop, but not super exciting. I'm not sure that they had another cake (though this could qualify as a pastry tart). Fortunately, it will take Origines Cacao time to finish its run to displace something in the superb group before I need to give Viron it's chance.

Ginza Sembikiya, Banana Shortcake

Finally made a visit to Ginza Sembikiya, in the form of a visit to their the basement of their main shop, which has pasta lunches, as well as the menu of the Fruit Salon on the 2nd floor. As far as cake, it's limited to the current shortcake, which was banana, perhaps the last fruit I would choose (the 1st floor shop has a mont-blanc and a pear tart as well), but that's what there was, so that's what I ordered. It was lunch and dessert for two, so I'll say that the other dessert was a very limited-time (3 days) Le Lectier Parfait. Le Lectier is a French variety of pears that only the Japanese seem interested in. The parfait was good, though I'm not a good judge, since it's an ice cream dessert.

What was surprising, was that the banana shortcake was excellent. I generally have a banana everyday, but I haven't had a good banana like this for a long time, I think. I suppose you have to go to a specialist fruit shop. Also, I wouldn't mind shortcakes of other fruits from them, judging from this one. This excellent cake puts this "sembikiya" at the top of the pack of three, though one excellent cake only qualifies it for the fine cake shop group under the current system, which only rates one cake, though it is secure in its position and a second cake is allowed, just not called for. We wouldn't mind going back and visiting the second-floor salon for just desert, though that's not convenient on a weekend, since a line develops by noon (for the basement, as well).

In the afternoon, I needed to kill time in the Tokyo Station area, so I did pretty fast walking from shop to shop without discovering anything much. I got a Croissant for Toshi Yoroizuka. As bread it was maybe excellent, but as a pastry, I'm going to have to say that it was just okay.

I also got the Croissant Chocolat from Sadaharu Aoki, though it was getting late by that point, about 4.5 hours after opening, so not ideal. It was still excellent, but if I can get one within 2 hours of opening, I'd like to reevaluate. Right now, Sadaharu Aoki is the best place I know for pastry croissants, so a repeat is reasonable.

There was a couple hours and hard walking and another hour or so of slower running, but I was tired enough that I decided to use a bicycle to get to Tokyo Midtown as a starting point for doing a counterclockwise run of the Akasaka--Roppongi route, which I was successful at, so that revised loop is confirmed. I might try the same strategy for Nishi-Ebisu, which is next in priority. It's a pretty small loop, so I might try a few other loops nearby as well, if I can use a bicycle for the first/last 4 km.

Cake-off: Jean-Paul Hévin's Duja Pistache over Pièce Montée's Mont-blanc

Changed my plan and did this weekend's cake-off early, Thursday afternoon. After a half-lunch, I ran to Pièce Montée in Ginza and got their Mont-blanc. They let it just slide around in the box, so I planned to take the train back and do a bigger run later. After stopping at Origines Cacao to confirm the ingredients of their Saint-Michel, I went to Jean-Paul Hévin and got their Duja Pistache, which is not seasonal but I'm not sure how long it will stick around, so I'm glad I didn't wait too long to get the first-round cake-off done. I'm more worried about availability of a cake for the next cake-off, but it requires a full day free, which I'm not going to have this weekend. I also noted that Lenôtre still has their Feuille d'Automne, along with a red version, so the second cake is definitely available, and the backup is this week's cake-off. (The Concerto is gone from Lenôtre, but I wasn't expecting to getting around it its third round this year.) I also swung by Rire Ginza, a "Sweet/Cafe Salon", just to confirm that I could find it, but I didn't climb the stairs in my jogging stuff with my cakes just to peek inside. I did feel free to go inside Sadaharu Aoki in Marunouchi, hoping to find a Croissant Chocolat, but they just had the Croissant Matcha (still an excellent choice), so I'll have to keep looking. I was hoping to try the Tokyo Midtown location Saturday morning (I'll have enough time for that), but it looks like I might get grounded by rain.

Neither Jean-Paul Hévin's Duja Pistache or Pièce Montée's Mont-blanc disappointed me, but neither stood out dramatically from the other. My preference for chocolate, though, led me to the Duja Pistache in the end, though the Mont-blanc remains outstanding as a simple Mont-blanc, why I'm still not sure.

The run was a revised Akasaka--Roppongi loop (fun running from home and back), though it ended up starting at 20:00, due to a nap, video chat, and indoor workout with weights. This time is was revised due to shown picture, which my old course passed behind. Now if only Google maps hadn't stopping letting me upload pictures, I could add it to the map.

Origines Cacao: Saint-Michel

Wednesday, after several tries, I finally got a new cake that was better than good. It was time to visit quickly rising quite exceptional shop Origines Cacao again. I still haven't managed to get my first choice of the new cakes before it sold out, but I thought I would try the Saint-Michel (over the pumpkin one). Running was a direct there and back, though I of course checked out things at Ginza Mitsukoshi and used the tunnels to cross from there to Hibiya Park and avoid a lot of traffic lights.

From the description, this cake seems to be a round Saint-Marc except for the vanilla part being "bombe" cream (they didn't spell it, but I've assumed the French word). The next day, I asked what that meant and they just said it was a really light cream, but I assume it's pâte à bombe (whipped egg, heavy on the yokes, with sugar), maybe mixed with whipped cream. Certainly there seemed to be some other flavor than just vanilla and chocolate in there, but I've already forgotten. Could have been egg. Anyway, it was excellent, so Origines Cacao maintains it top priority status. Still needs 6 more new cakes before I can consider promoting it to superb.

Pièce Montée, Fromage

Did another run to Ginza, this time for a 6th new cake from Pièce Montée. Went a slightly long way and finished confirming the new Akasaka 3 loop. For the cake, which I ran home, I choose their simplest, the Fromage. It's small, but really enough. A good cake, but not groundbreaking. Looks like if I'm going to get any more new cakes from them, they're going to have to first win a cake-off. I plan to give them their first chance this week. If they win, I'll try one of the more elaborate cakes again next.

Cake-off: Frédéric Cassel's Breteuil over Jean-Paul Hévin's Longchamp Praliné

Monday, I didn't work too late, so I tried again to get cakes for a cake-off from Ginza Mitsukoshi. On the way, I finished confirming the Yotsu north loop on the neighborhood running course, since I had to wait at that light anyway (it's just one block). This time, I was successful getting both cakes: neither shop was sold out of what I wanted.

The Longchamp Praliné was again sugary and nutty with a nice amount of chocolate. The Breteuil is also nutty with a similar amount of chocolate, but also creamy (the longchamp is baked meringue inside, I think) and quite fruity, apparently just from the pistachios, though it seems like there must be more to it. Regardless, for the richer flavors, the Breteuil gets its second win in a row in this second-round cake-off. Haven't calculated whether I'll be able to fit in a third round for Longchamp Praliné before it ends in January, as it's going to take a couple weeks to create a suitable opponent for the Breteuil's third round, which is now the priority.

Kyobashi Sembikiya; Mont-Blanc and Marron Shortcake

By request, I got two cakes from Kyobashi Sembikiya via Isetan. Actually, I was down on this shop based on non-cake items, I think, or at least I can only find a review of yogurt and fruit, which was okay. I choose Mont-Blanc and the other cake chosen was Marron Shortcake. It's a fruit shop, but these are probably the only two non-fruit cakes, though chestnuts are maybe the least nutty things called nuts, being high in starch, I think, rather than oil and protein.

The Mont-Blanc as actually good, better than I expected, though not distinctive. The Marron Shortcake was also good, even compared to other fruitcakes. Two good cakes makes this a fine shop, though about know a couple hundred of those, so no hurry to go back.

I tried running to Ginza Mitsukoshi later and would have gotten cake for a cake-off if they hadn't been sold out, but I wasn't really surprised that they were. On the way back, I did two new tiny loops clockwise, the Akasaka 3 loop and the Yotsu north loop, both added because of having St. Marc Cafe shops. Actually, there is another just north of the street-level Akasaka 3 loop, but I can't even add that as part of a loop without messing up some other part of the map, so I just have to run a link along there.

Croissants: Sadaharu Aoki, Fraoula, and St. Marc Cafe

Thursday, I was busy. Friday, I took the day off. Mid-day, I worked on two revised and one loop I'm adding to the neighborhood running course. I failed at the Jinguumae 5&6 loop going counterclockwise because, after stopping at the new Hotel Chocolat, I thought I needed to run farther for the turn to go by Number Sugar. Now I know. Going down to the Shibuya Stn. area to start the next loop, I got a Croissant Matcha from the Sadaharu Aoki at ShinQs. Like the plain, it was high-quality, but I thought the match was unnecessary in this case, but it was still excellent. I look forward to catching their chocolate version some time.

I was successful at the Kamiyama-chou--Tomigaya--Udagawa-chou loop counterclowise, interrupted at the north end by doing the Tomigaya--Yoyogi loop, so the latter has been reconfirmed and the former has been officially added, which is out of order, but I had to run what I had time for. Before finishing off the former, I stopped at Fraola, at got their croissant. This also was a proper pastry croissant and was definitely good, but I'm raising the bar on croissant now that I've confirmed that they can be great. They have other pastries there that I want to retry on other days, so I'm not writing them off by any means.

Saturday, I had more time for running, so I made an attempt at the Daita--... loop, but failed almost immediately on a new part near the beginning (with respect to counterclockwise), but at least could confirm the proper route. It was just as well, since I wasn't well prepared (hadn't charged my phone for a couple days). Coming back, I passed near Yoyogi-Uehara to confirm the Starbucks there and also found a Fujiya bakery nearby (on the route) and confirmed the route near where I previous failed. I can also say that at least I did the tiny Moto-Yoyogi-Chou loop correctly this time, so just counterclockwise to go. At the station, there is also a St. Marc Cafe, which I had a bad experience with several years ago, but since they have fresh pastries, I figured I should give them a try. I think they call this little thing a ChocoCroi.

My memories was that it was disgusting. Actually, though it is overly soft, the chocolate is fine so actually this is good. I thought adding this chain would disrupt a lot of loops, but actually I only have to revise two, the Kamiyama-chou--Tomigaya--Udagawa-chou loop that I had just done and the Ebisu-nishi west loop. I did have to add a couple tiny loops near two other loops because I couldn't incorporate them directly into existing loops, due to the needs of other sites. However, after returning home and having lunch, I went out by bicycle to confirm sites (and take pictures, though now Google maps is rejecting all my pictures) and found a dessert shop that's forcing a revision of the Akasaka-Roppongi loop again, which just doesn't seem to settle down. Most of my effort was confirming new loops east of Ebisu Station.

Origines Cacao, Mille-Feuille Tatin

From the last great new cake, Origines Cacao is challenging shops two levels about its shop group, so I was back again this week. This time I went with the Mille-Feuille Tatin. But mille-feuille cakes are tricky constructions at the best of times, so putting a heavy tatin on top isn't the greatest idea, I think. Your only choice is toe separate the two halves, which is reasonable, but a tatin is pretty mild by itself and this cream-filled base doesn't really add much (in hindsight, I probably should have raised the temperature of both parts before eating). Still, good, though and still challenging the quite superb group, so it remains a top priority for new cakes: I expect I'll be back there next Wednesday.

Pierre Gagnaire: Chocolat au Praliné Noisette

Went down to Pierre Gaganaire, since its two great cakes out of six made it top of the exceptional category and a challenger for the bottom of the quite exceptional category. It a relative near run, but I did the other half of my indoor workout afterward. Also, on the way I could do the tiny Yotsuya loop counterclockwise and check it off as the last of the Moto-Akasaka clump, which includes the southeast side of Meiji Gaien and the Akasaka Palace environs. I choose Chocolat au Praliné Noisette, which has a great name. Unfortunately, it's pretty dry, like a hard brownie (though more tasty, but now it gives me the idea of trying to heat it (after removing the cream and sheet chocolate). Anyway, good but not exciting, so the quite exceptional category can proceed. Found a bakery cafe down there in Akasaka 1 as well, or at least a listing of it on a building, but I'll have to look in detail later. I'm already down with the Akasaka 1 loop, but there are neighboring loops that I've only done one direction.

Michalak: Framboise-Rose

Got a tenth cake from Michalak, which at least catches them up to the other exceptional cake shops (six plus 4 for cake-off wins). The latest "cake" is more tart, though I guess the French term for this baked good is "clafoutis", though that wasn't used in Japan where they prefixed it with "Unik" I think (which I'm ignoring) but still called it "Framboise-Rose", even though there was no rose petal on it, unlike the version two years ago in France. Still, the raspberry on top makes it fresh cake. It was definitely good, but I'm still waiting for the next great cake from them after two early finds.

The running was relatively short after yesterday's long run: just out to the revised Jinguumae 5&6 loop to do it clockwise and back, which only took about 45 minutes. That and the indoor basic 15 minute workout (since I did squats for warm-up before the run) was enough, since I worked late and ran errands before starting, so supper (and cake) was pretty late.

Rue de Passy: Peru

As planned, I worked on two revised neighborhood course loops and skipped the big loop to work ahead on something different. I started with the Jinguumae 5&6 loop, which I quickly messed up. I needed to think 3 sites ahead to figure out which way the current course looped. I continued as a practice, which I needed as I needed several turns. Discovered Hotel Chocolat on the new route, which was useful, and added Brook's Cafe, nullifying the old route. Also, I realized that the old route was never good, even with the sites I knew about, because it went by the back of a building it needed to go by the front of. I had to add a U-turn to resolve the problem, but the new cafe simplifies at end, so I should have an easier run next time.
Before I even got to that loop, I stopped at the nearest Excelsior Caffé, which I had noticed had fresh pastries in the morning and is the highest priority food site. I tried the Pain aux Raisins. It was okay, but too soft for me, or maybe it just didn't have anything going for it especially. Not shocked that they aren't a prime source of pasties, but I need to give them a try. This was early in the run, so I let it be enough for a couple hours, whereas usually I've very strict about regular Calorie Mates, since with long runs, I think I've underfed myself in the past, which led to getting sick later.

The next two loops went well, together stretching from near Shibuya Station up to near Hatsudai Station: the Kamiyama-chou--Tomigaya--Udagawa-chou and Tomigaya-Yoyogi loops (also, finishing off the tiny Yoyogi 5 loop that I had done one direction Friday night). While I was nearby, I confirmed a Starbucks and a tiny private (?) temple on a dead-end street on the Hatsudai loop, so I could revise that one for its turn. Back at Shibuya Station, I explored Shibuya Scramble Square, the new building: lots of sweets brand names listed, with shops on two floors and maybe some cafes elsewhere, though the floor I visited seemed smaller than ShinQs', where I went next to get a Croissant from Sadaharu Aoki as my second snack. This croissant had a clear sugar (and egg?) coating, which transformed it from a bread croissant to a proper pastry. Great! It was the only flavor they had, so I need to get to Midtown or Marunouchi maybe to get chocolate and matcha versions I saw recently during the day to get them fresh in my review.

From there, I ran to the recently promoted Rue de Passy and choose Peru this time, a chocolate cake. It was good but didn't stand out among chocolate cakes. This enough to keep them in their current exceptional position relative to the one it deposed, but it's vulerable to attack from a couple other shops from below, so want to resolve those challenges before getting another cake from Rue de Passy.
Though I was tempted to take the train back, I (mostly) ran, so I ran almost as much as if I really had done the big loop, which was more or less my plan.

Cake-off Jean-Paul Hévin's Longchamp Praliné over Origines Cacao, Tarte Citron

Went to Ginza the long way, so I could finish off the added Minami-Aoyama 1 loop and also get the pictures for the added Kita-Aoyama east loop. It was also a late start, as I had a morning appointment, but the goal was get there around noon in case I needed to visit a shop that opens then. The main target was Jean-Paul Hévin's Longchamp Praliné, but I then went to Origines Cacao and firmed that the Tarte Citron is not a standard, so I got that. I know I said I wasn't going to this week, but another seasonal cake appeared at F Cassel, so I figured I need to step things up. Also, I'm busy next week, so was not sure whether I would be able to get a cake-off in.

It was not a lot of running, but it was around 1 pm by the time I got home and then there was lunch, so I didn't save the cakes so long. The sugar-heavy Longchamp Praliné didn't have any trouble convincing me that it was the winner, but the Tarte Citron, while mild, went great with it, which I think as one of it's strong points, so I'm not so worried about it not belong with the greats.

I had planned to do my largest loop Sunday, so no more running Saturday, but I found a flaw in that loop, so I have to reset completing it (wiping out my clockwise completion), so it seemed less important. That being the case, I decided I'd work on other loops Sunday, so I started that by trying the revised Tomigaya-Yoyogi loop while also running an errand to figure out how to revise the Hatagaya--Nishihara loop, which was not as nearby as I had hoped, and I also stopped for bread. I was able to follow the planned loop perfectly, but realized that it couldn't be correct under my current rules for courses and I was right, so it was just practice (the correct map turns one block earlier at one point).

Kanomi no Mori: Earl Grey Apricot

I'm five days behind for the usual reason: no, not laziness (but there is that), map-updating. I've had various revised and added loops. Thursday, I finished off the Kita-Aoyama east loop (though the subway access stairway I'm planning on to use when doing the full clump around Akasaka Palace is still closed. I also did three Akasaka loops: the main Akasaka-Roppongi loop and two added loops for Hitsugi Public Park and Akasaka Biz (the Akasaka 5 west and east loops). The first requires using subway access, but the latter doesn't. Both were added as I become stricter about needing access to the actual site, not just pass it on the other side of a barrier street.

Friday night, I did the same loops the opposite directions (so I'm up to day with all as loops), but while doing other errands during the day, I stopped in at the Meiji Memorial Hall (Meiji Kinenkan) and got their brand cake, Kanomi no Mori, on the grounds being highest priority among shops on the neighborhood running course. I foolishly got Earl Grey Apricot, even though it's a chocolate cake that doesn't have "chocolate" in the name, which should have tipped me off that something was wrong. Not that it was bad, and I'm willing to allow that maybe my opinion is not universally shared, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and call it good. The apricot was very strong, which would have been fine if not contaminated by chocolate. Chocolate fruit is not a good idea. Fruity chocolate is good. Fruit and white chocolate works, and also you can make mousse out of nuts, for example to dilute the fruit, if it has to be a mousse cake. So I won't need to visit again, I think. Sorry, I think I have the cake backward, as there is probably a little apricot hiding behind the chocolate decoration.

Origines Cacao: Tarte Citron

Worried about (or despite worrying about) various health issues, I ran not so fast to Ginza to get another cake from Origines Cacao (and seem to be okay for it). It wasn't a fast run and I walked a lot of the way home, because I had time and cake. I think there were two cakes I hadn't had at Origines Cacao and I made the obvious choice and took the one that wasn't pumpkin-based: the Tarte Citron. Note, that this is lemon (I assume, though there could be other things in there) meringue and in no way resembles a tart (or pie) in terms of shape and crust. Nevertheless, it seems to be the perfect lemon meringue whatever, with just the right amount of crust, so I'm not suggesting it would have been better in a tart shell (though I'm not saying it wouldn't, because it is good crust). I'm going to go with great for this one, which is a little dangerous, as it probably reflects the lack of any other active great citron cakes (one of the inactive ones is also Origines Cacao, from almost 4 years ago, with other from Viron about 2.5 years ago, both citron noisette cakes). I could pit this against the seasonal JPH cake next, rather than the planned Mont-Blanc, but there's another JPH cake I can use for this one and not have it twice in four days, so I'll hold off at least a week.

Éclat des Jours, Simoné

Made my second attempt on the Daita-... loop and got about a third of the way before I failed. I needed to go straight, squeezing past the parked van, even though the main road turned. This is the second time that I mistook when to enter a back alley. While verifying what I should do, I stopped at Main Mano and got their Pain au Chocolat. I'll say it was excellent, but note that the chocolate was what I more typically find in Pain au Chocolat, and not my favorite. On the other hand, the sliced almonds are a significant positive feature.

I ran most of the way home and felt that a 2+ hour run was enough. After a half-lunch, I went by bicycle to Éclat des Jours again, in response to their cake-off win, and got a new cake, Simoné, which is pistachio mousseline on a strawberry crust with fresh raspberries on top. A definitely excellent cake. I do have a complaint: I gave them an insulated bag to put the cake in, and they included their own bag anyway. (I protects the box, but really, does it need it?)

Rue de Passy, Saint Honoré à la Pistache

Went out to do a long run and was more successful at getting cake than running, which I'll take. Today was my first attempt to do the Daita-... loop counterclockwise, and I failed within the first kilometer, but now I shouldn't fail there (might try again tomorrow). So, I switched to cakerunning mode and decided that among my weekend priorities, Rue de Passy was closer, though if I had chosen the farther, I probably would have come back by train, so actually I probably would have run less, but returned later.

The Saint Honoré à la Pistache seemed like the best bet. Since no drink order was required and it was late enough for the eat-in space to be open (but almost empty), I ate in.  I've had pistachio saint honoré before, but this one was unique: the top is a pealed grape, the choux balls are full of grape cream, and there's another whole pealed grape buried in the middle. The grape mellows the pistachio cream, I think, or at least allows less sugar to be used. I rarely encounter grape in cake, but this worked well, so I can say that it is excellent. As a result, Rue de Passy definitely qualifies to replace Le Chocolat de H (which I've had six excellent cakes from, but no great ones) in the exceptional list. It might still get bumped by one of the other contenders, since the boundary is rather fragile, but I'm going to try to avoid test that until December 1, when Coffee Parlor Hill Top should reopen, since it's currently at the top of the quite fine group and is challenging Les Cacaos.

On the way back, I noticed a new shop on Aoyama-Douri ave., Le Pécin. Didn't notice anything suitable for a runner (all gift sizes), but got a free sample that was good.

Not sure whether this is related to the café of the same name up in Shinjuku Ward. I was on my way running back to finish off the revised Jinguumae east loop, which I easily did.

Cake-off: Éclat des Jours' Baked Cheesecake over Michalak's Mont-blanc

Saved my running for later and went by bicycle to get Éclat des Jours' Baked Cheesecake as a two time winning cake for the third-round cake-off. While I was there, I decided to try their Pain au Chocolat (I ate it at the nearest park, where I was very messy: I need to use the paper bag it comes in better), which was excellent, properly made with delicious chocolate.

To get the other cake, I ran to L'Abricotier. Unfortunately, they aren't currently making their best cake (which doesn't surprised me from past experience, and I should have asked when I was there recently, but it is still on their website). I had a backup planned, though, so I turned around and ran to Isetan and got Michalak's Mont-blanc.

It starts as a mystery why the Baked Cheesecake is such a winner, but the more I eat it, the more I like it. The Mont-blanc, on the other hand, is a little strong, both as chestnut and sugar, so I really need to clear my palate more than I did eating it. The win goes to the Baked Cheesecake, which becomes the tenth cake to clear the third-round cake-off undefeated. I was planning to get to Éclat des Jours for a new cake this weekend, anyway, but need to plan an an additional visit.

Jean-Paul Hévin, Longchamp Praliné

Thursday was running revised neighborhood routes. I did three other loops, but the important part was I finished the Minami-Motomachi--Wakaba--Yotsuya--Sugachou--Shinanomachi Loop and Minami-Motomachi--Moto-Akasaka loop. Friday, I did the basic part of my indoor workout, before going for a shorter run that did one way of one loop and finished the revised Minami-Aoyama east loop. Before the run, I got cake from Jean-Paul Hévin, the Longchamp Praliné, which at first I didn't recognize as new, since it combines elements of a couple past great cakes that there are multiple variations of, the Feuilletine Praliné and all the Longchamp (except, surprisingly, the Feuilleté), so it was a good bet this one would be great, and it seemed to be. It's supposed to be around until mid-January, so hopefully I'll be able to get it in all 4 cake-off rounds by then. I'll try to get started next week, against a new Mont-Blanc.