Patisseri Sadaharu Aoki @ Tokyo

Like Sugino, Sadaharu Aoki came highly recommended. He has a few outlets in Tokyo so more accessible - Mid-town @ Roppongi, Isetan and Shin-Kokusai Bldg @
Ginza. He also have other 'international' shops located in Paris and Taipei.

Managed to visit all 3 shops in Tokyo, quite coincidentally actually as was around the area.

The 1st shop I went to was at Shin-Kokusai Building - got a little lost as I was walking from Tokyo Station. Its actually not that far if you know where to go. Having found the shop, the easiest would be to stop at Yurakucho Station, exit D3.

What a relieve when I found the shop - my feet were aching and was glad I could finally sit down and enjoy a coffee and of course a 'sweet treat'! ;p

This was a sneak photo of the shop - not allowed to take pictures except for the food ordered (sigh).

The man himself!

I think Japanese love chocolates, judging by the many chocoloate shops around.

There were quite a large selection of desserts to choose from and since didn't want to overload myself (as I had other venues to go to), finally settled for a salted caramel macaroon (Y250) and macha eclair (Y600).

The eclair was very good, not too sweet (which means that I could have devoured more but unfortunately when I was there and also other outlets there were only macha and chocolate 'Valentine' flavours much to my dissapointment). So this trip, didn't manage to try the yuzu, black sesame and cassis as recommended by ChubbyHubby, next trip I guess.

For aspiring bakers, this is the back view of the eclair.


Address:
@ Shin-Kokusai Bldg. 1F 3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Transport Yurakucho Station (Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku Lines) / Yurakucho Station (Yurakucho Line : D3 Exit) / Hibiya Station (Mita Line : B3 Exit)

@ Midtown branch, unit 13 in the basement 3-4-1 Shinkokusai BLD Marunouchi,chiyoda-ku Tokyo.

@ Isetan 3-14-1, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Patisseri Hidemi Sugino @ Ginza

Address: 3-6-17 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

After wandering the streets of Ginza for close to an hour, I was literally overjoyed to finally find the shop!!! Truth be told that I almost gave up but am glad I persisted. But drats, it only opens at 11am and it was 9.30am when I walked up to the shop cos read over the internet that it opens at 10am.

So wandered away again around Ginza - this time noting the landmarks so that I can share with you the map posted at the end of this post.

So when I came back....10 minutes before opening time there were 10 people ahead of me!! Can't believe we are all here queuing for dessert!!!

Read that photography inside the shop was not allowed. There are two types of cakes you can get - the ones you can take away and the other for dine-in only.

Of course I selected the exclusive dine-in ones. Asked for recommendation and was told that that these two were most popular.

From the right: Ambroisie (Y740) and Mariee (Y630).

Only started snapping cos another customer snapped some pictures too *thick skinned turned on*. But actually I don't understand the prohibition afterall he has his own recipe book - but its all in Japanese and French language so didn't purchase it though I enjoyed flipping through the book and drooling over all the pictures.

There is only one Hidemi Sugino in Tokyo, no other outlets or branches so there is an exclusive & tasteful air about this boutique shop - definitely a place to bring to impress your love one or budding love.

The many flavourful layers comprising chocolate mousse, pistachio mousse, raspberry sauce and chocolate cake. If you are a chocolate lover, you'll definitely like this.

The many delightful layers of the Mariee.
This was just divine. I've never eaten anything that taste like "soft silky pillows of cloud". Yep that is the best description I can give it. It was very light and refreshing and not too sweet. If I come back to Tokyo, I would definitely order this again.

The very intricate internal structure of the mousse (picture source from here) - so that you'll be treated to the most wonderful layered combination of flavours and taste.

Since I got lost - got 'conned' by the hotel concierge to walk here - well, at least I got to see more of the neighbourhood and felt the warmth of the locals trying their best to direct me all in Japanese of course. To repay their kind generosity, am enclosing a map for those interested to find this shop so that you can enjoy one of the best mousse and other creations from this cake master. Nearest station is Kyobashi, exit 1. As expected the shop is one of those 'hole-in-the-wall', located in an alley behind INAX @ Ginza.


For more reads, mosey here and here.