Le Coin Vert: Fortissima

Back for a second cake at Le Coin Vert finally. This time, I went with the Fortissima for 617 yen. This is a dense chocolate cake with rum and did not work for me. The type was very familiar, but it's not sweet, it's not creamy, and there is not a lot of taste, just a sort of "watery" chocolate, and rum (which I'm fine with). That makes it sound less good than it was, but that's my interpretation if this kind of chocolate taste, which is actually quite common, so presumably intentional. So far, I've yet to learn to like this taste. I'm going to rate this "okay", at least for me, and take Le Coin Vert off the possibly excellent list. Shame, because it's nearby.

On the plus side, I had no residual problems from yesterday's long walk, and I walked faster today and again no problems. Actually, my goal was a relaxed walk, compared to yesterday's deliverately slow, controlled walk, but today I often slid into my more usual higher paced walk but with no problems. Still think I should hold off on running, because I can't say that I've been problem-free for a week, but I'm hoping twinges have been due to lack of use rather than remaining inflammation from over-use, since pain is tricky that way I've heard (from professionals) and experience, especially with my back. So I'll hold off on running (and cycling) a few more days and keep raising the level of walking and see how that goes. There have been a lot of disappointments so far, so I don't want to rush things. It's obviously going to take several months to train back up, so another week is not going to matter much.

Today was a big 2 km run toward (P.) Le Coin Vert (Kagaruazaka Tokyo) attached to The Agnes Hotel and Apartments Tokyo. The first kilometer was no problem, which is an improvement, though that might just reflect running first thing in the morning rather than after work. Last week's Wednesday 1 km was long and difficult. The Friday one was a little uncomfortable but mostly okay. Today, the end was a little uncomfortable, but not as bad. However, I decided to walk the rest of the way and then walk another 1.5 kilometer to Kitonomaru Park, which was too much. Fortunately, cake cool packs are dual purpose.

The cake was Renard for 500 yen, same as the cake I had recently from Avranches Guesnay. This is caramel mousse with hazelnut. I didn't actually remember what the previous one tasted like or its construction, but I write these things down, so I'm reminded now and know that I like the structure of this one better: I don't like an anchor lump in my mousse cake. This had a flat base with no surprises. I had hard a hard time deciding that it was excellent, but decided that it was and that I definitely want to follow up on this, so that might be where I go next Sunday. I might even make it there just running (although not back again).

As yesterday, I tried to survey some new potential targets added to the map from Sweet Sonobe and had much more luck. I had to walk some distance anyway to get to a train station, so I figured I might as well try before taking the train home, as I decided was the best plan. As it happened, my knee gradual improved so I was not having any problems by the time I got home. First was Palace Hotel Sweets & Deli, which is in the basement shop area. Lots of hotels have cake shops, and I've haven't found one that was especially good yet, so without a recommendation, I wouldn't bother, but this is in a fairly convenient area, so I should look into it, especially now, when my range is limited.

Next, I went to find Chocolatier Palet D'or in the Shin-Marunouchi Building. Actually, I've looked in here before and saw that they have expensive cakes, but I'll actually plan to visit now. On the basement level are igrekplus, which I've tried to visit in Kobe but found them close (Sannomiya) or without cake (across from Kitano Hotel), so I suppose I should try there, and 14 Julliet Tokyo, which looks okay, so I might as well add it as well.

Lastly, I went down to Marunouchi Brick Square to see Echiré Maison du Beurre, where there was a line (controlled by whatever you call those poles and ribbons that are used to define queues) but also mille-feuille, as promised. I also noticed that La Boutique de Joel Robuchon there has cake, so it goes on the map too.