I visited a restaurant with my mom friends for lunch and tea. It had been a while since I last visited, even though we used to go quite often before the pandemic. We arrived a little after 11 am, and the parking lot was already quite full. We chose our seats and then went to the counter to order and pay upfront. I ordered today's lunch set for 1500 yen, which included a variety of vegetables, brown rice, and two main dishes that change daily. Today's mains were sautéed mackerel and pastrami. The salad was packed with frilly lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes, bitter gourd, bell peppers, and Chinese cabbage, with a tangy dressing that I liked. The pastrami was like thinly sliced ham, and the mackerel was crispy with a basil sauce on top, which was delicious. After the meal, we had some black tea and enjoyed our leisurely lunch on a holiday. There is a small pond in front of the restaurant where they sell bread and cakes, so I would like to come back on a weekday to relax. Thank you for the meal.

I am a big fan of Flower, which used to be in the Kintetsu Department Store in Tennoji before it became Abeno Harukas ❤️ Regardless, my favorite is the TOP OF PIE️ The crispy pie with a crunchy texture that seems like it could pierce your mouth is a must-try. Once you have it, other pies will surely pale in comparison ☝️ I have given it as gifts for souvenirs, New Year's gifts, and summer gifts to many people, and I always include a note saying, "This is by far the best pie I have ever eaten." Those who have tried it always end up ordering it again lol Another favorite of mine is Madam Yoko, a cake with a fluffy dough sandwiched with cream. The balance between the dough and cream is perfect, and although it looks simple, it is an essential masterpiece. I really want everyone to try it and understand its deliciousness. The photo shows the cakes I bought during the cherry blossom viewing season in April. The refined sweetness that allows you to eat many of them.

On a Sunday at 2:00 PM, I visited a cafe for the first time. It seemed to be a popular spot as many people were having lunch. However, they also offer takeaway options for breakfast pastries at very reasonable prices. I tried their toast and it was crispy and delicious. It exceeded my expectations and felt like a high-end restaurant at a great value. I will definitely come back, next time for a cafe lunch.

After finishing all my work in Osaka, all that's left is to return to Tokyo. I arrived at Osaka Itami Airport a little before evening. Normally, I would buy some pork buns, but this time I had a different purpose. I found an article on a website titled "Top 20 Recommended Souvenirs at Itami Airport by Active Flight Attendants," with the top spot rightfully taken by "551 Horai" pork buns, but the second spot was held by "Patisserie Flower" and their "Madame Yoko." Despite being from Osaka, I had never heard of it. When I asked a friend from Osaka, they told me that it's a very famous confectionery loved by many celebrities. So, this time, I decided to buy "Madame Yoko" to bring back. I searched for it at the newly renovated souvenir shop at Osaka Itami Airport, but couldn't find it anywhere. Just as I was about to give up, I finally found the products from "Patisserie Flower" in a convenience store-like space in front of the boarding gate. Unfortunately, they were sold out of "Madame Yoko" as it was already evening. Instead, I purchased their other flagship product, "Tortillon." The Tortillon came in a set of 6, with a crispy pie-like texture and a distinctive knot at the end. The pie was quite large, almost 20cm in length. Each piece was individually wrapped with "World Heritage front Factory" written on it. Upon researching, I found out that "Patisserie Flower" is headquartered in Kashiwara City, Osaka, which is home to the only World Heritage site in Osaka, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group. The Tortillon had a crunchy texture with layers of pie crust folded finely. The inside was slightly moist, reminiscent of a crispy croissant. It had a subtle sweetness, more refined than it appeared. The ingredients were just regular wheat and butter, but the dough is prepared daily by craftsmen adjusting to temperature and humidity. That's why it truly tasted like a "real pie," and it was delicious. Now, I'm curious about "Madame Yoko." It may be a bit challenging to visit the main store due to the distance, but I'll find a way to get my hands on it. The bill came to 1,188 yen. Thank you for the meal!

I tried the cheesecake dorayaki version and it was delicious. The Madame Yoko recommended letting it come to room temperature, but I personally prefer it cold. The fluffy cake with cream cheese was really tasty. It seems like you can also enjoy it frozen. Thank you for the meal.

I visited FLOUR's Sayama branch before (April 2021) and my impression remains largely the same. It is a stylish bakery that sells cakes and has a café attached. The staff are well-trained and very friendly. They seem to run a solid business. However, from a perspective of whether I would like to revisit as a bakery, I want to stick to that view. In that sense, I find that bread plays a secondary role, with soft sweet bread being the main focus, which is a bit disappointing. Compared to other bakeries, I feel that their hard bread for meals is lacking. Therefore, I have set my rating slightly below the assumed average value (3.5). Nevertheless, the delicacy and beauty of their croissants, as well as the rich sweetness of their cream bread, make it hard to ignore the charm of their bread alone. It is without a doubt a good bakery. With the addition of cakes, pastries, and the café, it is a standout above average. I recommend those nearby to give it a try.

Yesterday's sweets at Patisserie Flour Takeuchi Kaido Karisato store were amazing. The Swiss organic milk choux pastry filled with cream and caramel on top was delicious. They also have a popular cake called Madam Yoko, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The cheesecake cream inside is truly a classic. In addition to sweets, they also sell mini frozen foods and have a cafe menu inside the store. It's a great place to visit for Osaka gourmet sweets enthusiasts. #SweetsUncle #OsakaGourmet

I finally had the chance to visit the shop I had been curious about for a while, Patisserie Fleur. They sell cakes and bread, and also have a café where you can sit and eat. It felt a bit embarrassing to go in alone as an older man, but I mustered up the courage and went in. You order and pay at the counter, then they bring the food to your table. They had a dish called Dam Curry, shaped like Sawayama Pond, but I decided to go for the seasonal gratin instead. I sat at the counter with a view of the pond and waited for my food. Soon, a large plate with gratin and salad arrived. The salad had fresh asparagus and turnips with a slightly tangy dressing, and the gratin had plenty of cheese and ingredients, although the portion was quite large and I got a bit full halfway through. I thought it would be nice to come back and relax with some cake or pancakes next time. Thank you for the meal!

Today, I went on a drive to Habikino. The weather was nice, so I was looking for a cozy cafe to stop by. I found "Patisserie Flower Takeuchi Kaido Karisato Shop" inside a park. The spacious interior had a relaxed atmosphere. Besides enjoying coffee, you can also buy bread and cakes. They even sell onigiri, which is quite unique. In the end, I decided to take home some bread. The "Salt Bread" and "Sesame Salt Bread" had a light texture that was easy to eat. The right amount of salt and a hint of butter aroma were delightful. The "Maple and Walnut Oup" had a sweet and soft dough with maple flavor mixed in, complemented by the crunchy texture of walnuts. The "Garlic Butter" had a nice garlic scent blended with olive oil in a firm French bread dough. I also bought a "Curry Bread" and others. Many of their breads use rice oil, giving them a unique taste and light texture. I found their light-textured breads quite appealing and they have become one of my favorites.

Patisserie Flower Takeuchi Kaido Karisato Store Amazing adult bread Plain - ¥105 Sweet chestnut and in-house Tokachi red bean brioche roll - ¥205 Bacon and egg, winner of the Ooyama Gold Award - ¥210 Shiromaru - ¥90 I am very much looking forward to trying the "intestinal activity bread" made with barley flour from Aichi Prefecture, which is said to be good for the body. You can find this bread with the label "Aichi Prefecture barley flour" at Flower's various stores. For bread lovers, the idea of becoming healthier by eating bread is irresistible! In Sayama and Fujiidera Ekimae stores, you can even enjoy freshly baked bread. Located at 2-73-1 Karisato, Habikino City, Osaka Prefecture.

I visited a shop called "Kawachiya" where I bought pastries and cakes. The shop is located along the oldest official road in Japan. The pastries had a delicious buttery smell and the pies were especially tasty. I also bought a strawberry shortcake for my family. The shop had a unique selection of cakes with funny names. Overall, the pastries and cakes were delicious and I enjoyed my visit to this historic shop.

On the way back to my parents' house, I often stop by this shop and make use of it. The temperature on this day was over 35 degrees! It's so hot that a refreshing dessert would be more appreciated than cakes or baked goods. I spotted a white peach verrine cup in the showcase and fell in love at first sight! The freshness of the diced jelly scattered in the cup, the juiciness of the white peach, the refreshing delicious Bavarian cream, and the well-balanced sauce all make this dessert very satisfying in terms of taste and quantity. A verrine refers to a dessert served in a transparent cup container, which in this case was made of glass and quite sturdy. It will definitely be useful as a "glass" at my parents' house! Thank you for the delicious meal.

Madame Yoko for 216 yen. It's been a while. It feels like it has gotten smaller. The shortening is a bit concerning in the recipe. Pure honey roll for 897 yen. A simple recipe with a dense, coarse roll cake. It has a nice aroma of butter and eggs.

I heard that this shop uses high-quality ingredients, so I decided to visit. However, I found that the sandwiches were full of additives, and even their famous "Madame Yoko" contained trans fats from shortening. Despite the ongoing impact of the new coronavirus, I was surprised to see that the bread at the shop was not individually wrapped. It wasn't particularly delicious, so I assume it's popular mainly because of the atmosphere.

My favorite at this shop is the Crème Ganache. Madam Yoko is good too, but I always end up choosing the Crème Ganache. Even for birthdays, I always get a Crème Ganache cake. The simple chocolate flavor with the perfect amount of cream is just right.

I found this restaurant while taking a walk and decided to have brunch there. The place was full of customers, so it seems to be popular! I bought some bread and ordered a cup of tea to enjoy it slowly at my seat. The cream bread had a hint of orange peel, making it refreshing and easy to eat, and the teriyaki chicken sandwich was sweet and savory with soft bread. Next time I visit, I will try the lunch menu with lots of vegetables. ☺︎

Soft and fluffy signboard sweets "Madam Yoko" is well known at Patisserie Flower. When it comes to flowers, Patisserie Flower is famous for its sweets and bread in Minamikawachi. In the past, I have written articles about the Sayamaike store and the Kofun Group store, but this time, I will report on the main store, which is also known as the "Patisserie Flower Takeuchikaido Karisato Store". The Flower Takeuchikaido Karisato store is one of several Flower stores in Minamikawachi, along with the Sayamaike store, it is a standalone house type store with a cafe space and parking lot. There are also valuable menu items that can only be found here. For more information on the history of Patisserie Flower, please refer to the article on the Sayamaike store. The Patisserie Flower Takeuchikaido Karisato store is located along the Osaka Outer Loop (National Route 170) near a pond, with the ancient tomb of Minegazuka and Minegazuka Park to the west, and the Habikino City Life Culture Information Center "LIC Habikino" across the road to the north. It is located a little off the "Karisato Kita" intersection of the Outer Loop, visible from the Outer Loop. The takeout for bread and sweets, as well as the cafe space, share the same entrance, with signs like "Kofun Group Curry" displayed. Upon entering the store, there are baked sweets on the left, cakes in the center, bread on the right, and a spacious cafe space at the back of the bread corner. This time, I purchased three bread items. The "Kyushu Cream Cheese Danish" (180 yen excluding tax) had cream cheese topping on a ring-shaped Danish bread, with a crispy texture and a refreshing sweetness that matched well. The "Natural Yeast Rodab Fruit" (200 yen) had several types of dried fruits on top of a crispy outer layer bread. The "Delicious Melon Pan" (160 yen) was a traditional melon pan made with special eggs from chickens raised with a secret feed in Okayama Prefecture. It had a fluffy and light texture, with a crispy outer layer. The cafe space has about 60 seats and is bright with full-length windows facing the pond, offering a nice view while enjoying meals or sweets. The checkout and ordering at the cafe space were self-service. Access: About 1 km west from Kintetsu Nankai Line/Cho Line "Kofu" station. By bus, take the Kintetsu bus from "Kofu Station" or "Fujiidera Station" and get off at "Karisato Ichichome" bus stop. By car, about 100m west from the "Karisato Kita" intersection on National Route 170 (Outer Loop). It is located opposite LIC Habikino. If coming from the Habikino direction (west) rather than the Outer Loop, the intersection in front of the store has heavy traffic with no signal and right turns are prohibited, so you may need to go a little further towards the Outer Loop and then turn into the store's premises.

After returning from a hospital check-up, I found a cafe on a food review website and decided to have a late morning meal there. The cafe was spacious with a wide variety of bread and cakes on display. I bought some bread to eat in, and at the cafe counter, I discovered they had a morning set available. The toast was thick and came with butter and a bit of jam. The boiled egg was surprisingly cold, I had assumed it would be warm. However, the egg was cooked perfectly. The seating area had long tables and 4-person tables, allowing customers to relax while enjoying the view outside. It was a lovely cafe. Thank you for the meal.

I'm in Osaka, in Habikino. Just off the Outer Loop Line, heading west from the Karisato Kita intersection, right next to Minetsuka Park, I found this shop. I happened to have some business nearby, so I was passing by and decided to visit the shop out of curiosity. The name Flower sounded somewhat familiar, and then I remembered it's the famous Flower from Madam Yoko. I never expected the main store to be in Habikino. I went straight to the shop! However, if you're visiting by car for the first time, please be careful. If you're coming from the Outer Loop, turn at the Karisato Kita intersection, don't pass the shop, and enter from where the sidewalk curb is gone. It's right after you pass the pond. There's a parking lot along the alley past the shop, but it's one-way and you can't enter from there. It can be a bit tricky if you're not aware of this. I managed to park and went inside the shop, which turned out to be quite spacious, with a variety of sweets and bread displayed. The back of the shop had a restaurant, offering enticing dishes like Kofun Curry, but my focus this time was on sweets. I'll save the Kofun Curry for next time. I hadn't planned on buying any bread, but the aroma and appearance were so appealing that I ended up purchasing a loaf of bread and a baguette. For sweets, I got Madam Yoko's Cheese Souffle and Chestnut Souffle. It turned out to be more than I expected, surprising even myself! But as soon as I got home, I toasted the loaf of bread and tried it. The bread was too soft, and just by holding it, it was already falling apart. The texture was very soft, almost like it might be better to eat it without toasting it. However, I still toasted it. Eating it plain first, without any toppings, the bread was indeed soft, with a crispy surface from toasting, but fluffy and soft inside, like a fluffy futon with a nice aroma. The bread had a sweet scent, but it wasn't actually sweet in taste, making it a good match for both sweet and savory ingredients. Despite buying it on a whim, it turned out to be a bread that I really liked, and I thought about where I could buy it more easily next time. The Cheese Souffle and Chestnut Souffle from Madam Yoko were quite delicious, at a reasonable price, and easy to carry around, making them handy as small gifts.

Patisserie Fleur Takeuchi Kaido Karisato Store (main store) - I tried a little bit of their Western sweets. The "Showa Madeleine" and "Omitooshi" (donut) have interesting names. They are simple, old-fashioned baked goods with a moist and nostalgic taste. It reminds me of the madeleines my mother used to make when I was a child. The packaging and taste are both charming. I checked their website and it seems like their baked goods, traditional Japanese sweets, and bread are recommended, especially the cream-filled Madame Yoko and roll cakes. I would love to try them if I have the chance. It seems like my taste for sweets has changed over the years! ^^