I have been visiting this café regularly for several years, but due to COVID, I haven't been able to go as often. I think I've been going about once every 3 or 4 months recently. I always order the espresso when I visit. That's why I come here. Sometimes I also buy some beans. Today, I was considering getting the cheese toast as well, maybe as a set with a blend, but in the end, I couldn't resist ordering just the espresso. My partner got the Basic Blend, which is a dark roast, like all the coffees here. Drinking the espresso first and then the Basic Blend really makes you think about what a dark roast is. You can taste the bittersweet coffee in your mouth and it lingers in your nose. It's a moment of happiness. I tried the cheese toast for the first time. It was generously covered in cheese with a sprinkle of black pepper. The thick toast was so satisfying. Just writing about it makes me hungry. I wonder what kind of bread they use. Next time, I'll try it without the cheese. Both the owner and the staff are really nice. It's convenient being right by the station. Watching them brew the coffee, I didn't even have time to read. This is my favorite café in Japan. Thank you for the meal.

This will be the last post of the year. Even though I am still behind on reviewing November's reviews, I will be ringing in the new year two steps behind. Thank you to everyone who has viewed my reviews. Let's make sure to meet again in the future! Have a great New Year, and may 2023 be an even better year for all of us! Now onto the main topic. I decided to visit "Basic" for some time before dinner. This was my first time visiting this restaurant in the building, and I noticed many interesting new restaurants, including an omelette rice shop that caught my eye. The place had many customers, with about 3 groups waiting. The left side of the restaurant was for smoking, while the right side, including the counter seats, was non-smoking. Classical music played softly in the background, creating a nice atmosphere in the restaurant. I ordered the "Cake Set (¥950)" with a Basic Blend coffee. I originally wanted the cheesecake, but it was sold out, so I opted for the chocolate cake instead. Many other customers also ordered the cheesecake set, so it must be popular. However, they all switched to chocolate cake as well. Coffee and cake go well together. While reading a book, I waited for about 30 minutes until the master served me a carefully brewed cup of coffee. The specialty of this place is their deep-roasted coffee. I personally love deep-roasted coffee the most! The coffee at Basic is all deep-roasted, and it is clear that they pay attention to each cup. Just by smelling it, you could feel the rich aroma. The lack of citrusy sweetness, typical of light roasts, was noticeable. The intense bitterness was prominent, but it was followed by a refreshing taste that quenched the throat, leaving no bitterness lingering. This lack of bitterness made the coffee very enjoyable. The chocolate cake I ordered had a different texture compared to a Gâteau au Chocolat. It felt light but had a moist and rich taste when you took a bite. The bitter cocoa flavor was balanced with a smoothness that might come from butter. It was not too sweet or too bitter, maintaining a perfect balance. The coffee and cake complemented each other well, with the coffee's bitterness and the dessert's bitterness not overwhelming the palate. For those who prefer more sweetness, cream was provided on the side, showing the thoughtfulness of the staff. Enjoying a homemade cake with coffee was a luxurious experience! I spent a pleasant hour reading a book accompanied by classical music, and before I knew it, I had been there for an hour. I was the only customer at the time. When I visit again, I will consider trying the Classic Blend without food. Thank you for the meal.

Visited "Basic" in Sapporo. I stopped by while on a business trip to Sapporo and was nearby. Located in a corner of the underground restaurant area on the basement floor, down the stairs leading to the subway station. The atmosphere is nice with a brown sign. Inside, the interior design makes good use of charcoal gray and black, giving a chic feel. I sat at a table in front of the counter upon entering. It seems like a pour-over coffee shop, exuding confidence in their coffee. I ordered the following: - Cheesecake Set (950 yen): The cheesecake looks elegant. It's a classic cheesecake with a subtle sweetness, very delicious. I had it with a cafe au lait, which was also very tasty with the sweetness of the cream on top. Quite satisfying. - Cheese Toast (850 yen): A light snack of cheese toast. The bread is fluffy with plenty of cheese and sprinkled with black pepper on top. The black pepper adds a nice touch, making it a delicious dish. As mentioned above, it's a cafe of a fairly high standard. A very calm space. The staff is polite and leaves a good impression. Although it should be rated 3.6 or higher, the smoking area was a bit lenient, so -0.1. Despite that, I still think it's a very good place. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

There was no place to kill time around, so I wandered into this place. It's a rather plain space near the stairs outside the station. When you open the door, it has a nice atmosphere. It's like an old-fashioned coffee shop, and they make coffee very carefully. The cocoa is their own blend and quite sweet. The retro bookshelves add to the charm of the place. It might be nice to bring a book and enjoy coffee while reading. I only had a drink this time, but I heard their cakes are delicious too. I'm interested.

After getting vaccinated, I was caught in a light rain and the restaurant I was aiming for was either closed or operating on reduced hours, so I found myself near the 10th block without realizing it. I decided to head back to Odori by subway, and as I was going down the station building, I spotted a coffee shop. I was drawn in as if by a magnet. It looked like a shop that specializes in dark roast coffee. Inside, there were no other customers, and I was told to sit wherever I liked. I chose a table and finally felt relieved. Classical music was playing, creating a pleasant atmosphere. They had a variety of coffee beans on the menu, making it hard to decide. I noticed a cake set tucked away in a corner. I thought I might as well have some cake, so I ordered a chocolate cake and a blend that came with the set. It said it would take some time to brew the drip coffee, but I didn't mind waiting. After a while, the cake and coffee arrived. The coffee cup was to my liking, which raised my expectations. I tasted the coffee first. It had a light and pleasant coffee aroma with just the right amount of bitterness. This was the kind of coffee I liked. The cake was moist and had a strong chocolate flavor. It paired perfectly with the coffee. Since there was no one else there at the time, I was able to enjoy a luxurious time with classical music and dark roast coffee. It was fortunate that no one else was there, but the place allowed smoking, so if I were to visit again, I would like to go at a time when there are no other customers.

This place is conveniently located directly connected to the subway station, making it a great stop during your travels. When you enter from the main entrance, on the right side there are counter seats and single seats, while on the left side there are spacious table seats. I looked around and saw only one customer at the table seats, so I decided to go left... but it turned out to be a smoking area! I'm not a fan of cigarette smoke. Should I move seats... but it seems like a hassle and there's only one customer, so I decided to stay. Inside the shop, soft jazz music was playing, giving it a true coffee shop vibe. I was curious about the shop's blend, but today I decided to go with a straight coffee! I ordered the Ethiopian blend, 15g for ¥650. Oh no, while waiting for my coffee, the smoking area started to fill up (sweat). It's been a while since I've been surrounded by purple smoke... the smell of cigarettes started to irritate my nose. I need to drink up quickly and leave. After about 6 minutes, my coffee arrived. The Ethiopian blend was not too heavy, with a slight bitterness and a refreshing acidity lingering in the background, and the aroma was nice. The bitterness was also well balanced, and the temperature of the coffee was just right, making it a delicious cup of coffee. The Royal Copenhagen cup was also nice, but it couldn't compete with the purple smoke. I tried to endure for 10 minutes and then left the shop. Thank you for the meal.

There is always coffee available at the company. Although it's not my preference, I appreciate it. One busy day when I couldn't even drink coffee, I decided to find a nice cafe and ended up at one near Sapporo Station. I had done some research and knew they offered a dark roast, which got me excited. As I entered the cafe, I noticed a strong smell. There were ashtrays on the tables, so I wondered if half of the cafe was smoking allowed. Since there was no guidance, I couldn't tell. My research was lacking haha. I ordered the Classic Blend 20g (dark roast) for 650 yen. I had heard it was deep, so I chose this one, but I felt it could have been even darker. The coffee itself was very delicious and satisfying, but when the customer next to me lit a cigarette, I reached my limit and had to leave. The smell was bothering me and I couldn't relax. It wouldn't have bothered me if it was alcohol haha. It's a shame because the coffee was tasty. Thank you for the meal (^o^)

This shop only serves dark roasted coffee. Even their lightest roast is strong, making other medium roasts seem light in comparison. I have never had a darker roast than the one served here. The quiet father brews the coffee while the friendly woman takes orders. I love the coffee made by the father here. He remembered my visits from about two years ago. Thank you for the wonderful time and coffee. Thank you for the meal.

On a certain weekday, I stopped by to adjust my time before lunch at a specialty coffee shop located on the basement floor of the subway West 11th Street station building. Upon arrival, there were ashtrays placed on one side of the shop, but not on the other side, so you could almost smell the scent of both cigarettes and coffee everywhere. Lovely music was playing from the large speaker like a chest of drawers, and I decided to order the "Basic Blend Medium Dark Roast (600 yen)" from the menu this time. It was prepared using the Nel Drip method, adjusting the water temperature while brewing. Taking a sip... Oh, it's been a while, but it's still deep and rich. The sweet aroma that rises from the deep roast specialty shop here, followed by a slight bitterness and sweetness, was impressive. Since it was a medium dark roast this time, it was well-balanced without being too strong, which was a good impression. I enjoyed a coffee that deep roast lovers would surely appreciate. However, if the shop is not crowded, it may not be a problem, but apart from the hand sanitizer which is a given and the large ventilation fan running, there didn't seem to be much awareness of infection prevention. There was a sign at the entrance saying "Please space out when seated"... but personally, I think I'll wait until a little later for my next visit. Thank you for the meal.

I can hear the sound of jazz music and the aroma of coffee beans coming from this place. The interior is classical and elegant, with most seats having ashtrays for smoking in this adult-friendly environment. There are paintings on the walls, adding to the atmosphere. The coffee is delicious, roasted in a small traditional kettle from the Showa era, with a focus on bringing out the unique characteristics of the beans. The shop specializes in dark roasted coffee, using mainly Yemen Mocha Matari beans for a deep, bitter taste. Despite the tobacco flavor mixing in, the coffee is still enjoyable. There is another coffee shop, Kikuchi Coffee, in the same building, each with its own unique features. This was a good place to stop by for a quick break, although I wish I could have stayed longer if not for the slight smell of smoke. I hope they improve their ventilation for a more pleasant experience. I would definitely come back to taste more of their dark roasted coffee.

I happen to have a day off on a weekday and decide to take a walk towards the city center. I take a short break around the 11th subway station and visit a specialty coffee shop called "Basic" that I used to frequent. It's closed on Sundays and holidays, so I haven't had a chance to come here recently. The cozy atmosphere of the shop with a classic music playing in the background is very inviting. The menu states that they only serve dark roasted coffee without acidity, which might not appeal to everyone, but for someone like me who enjoys the bold flavor of dark roast, this place is perfect. What I particularly like about this shop is that they only offer simple food items like toast. Some people may complain about the smell of cigarettes, but when I want to enjoy my coffee, the strong aroma of dishes like curry or spaghetti only ruins the experience. While some may worry about the health risks of passive smoking, I doubt how much longer one can extend their lifespan by avoiding a little exposure. I order the "Classic Blend 25g @650" and enjoy the perfectly balanced taste with no noticeable sweetness or acidity, just a rich flavor with a hint of bitterness. It was a delightful experience, and I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal.

There is a shop located on the basement floor of a building directly connected to Nishi 11-chome Station on the Tozai Line. In addition to a café in the same building, this area is a competitive zone for cafes. The shop has a narrow interior with counter and table seats. The lighting is subdued, creating a calm and woody atmosphere overall. Smoking, which has become a minority, is allowed. Newspapers are also available, making it a classic café. I visited on a weekday morning. There was one customer before me and two after me. I ordered the Basic Blend (medium-dark roast) for 500 yen. It was a delicious cup with a good balance of richness and flavor. I sat at a table so I couldn't observe the preparation, but based on the sounds, it seemed to be meticulous and faithful to the basics.

Snow Festival! It's cold, about -15 degrees. Without saying a word, my body and phone would be in jeopardy, so I decided to go to a café. Kikuchi specializes in lattes (I decided that on my own). I go for the basic option. Smoking is allowed here, but I don't smoke, so I sit at a table. As usual, I don't listen to music and instead flip through specialty magazines. I order a black, dark roast coffee. This coffee helps tame my wild side and make me feel more human. It took a while for the coffee to arrive. I tend to take quite a detour before reaching this point, but somehow, I feel good about it. I will go back to the snow festival venue. It's super cold there.

Ethiopian Ice Dark Roast

I enjoyed a delicious cup of dark roast coffee while listening to classical music.

It was the second most delicious coffee in Sapporo!

The dimly lit interior is calming and the coffee is delicious.