Shock absorber
This weekend, I went out with my husband for some errands, and we parked at our usual coin parking lot near Hachioji Station North Exit. We headed to a lunch spot called Hachioji Blossom, which opened on December 5 last year, located about a 7-minute walk from the station in the Kanto Terrace complex. I made a reservation for a table through Hot Pepper since it wasn’t listed on Tabelog, so I registered the new store.
The restaurant is run by the owner of the nearby dining bar Bless-gate, and it is said to be a sister store. Upon entering, the exterior has a modern Japanese aesthetic, and inside, there are chic counter seats lined with bottles of whiskey and liqueurs. We were guided to the second-floor seating and as we climbed a staircase adorned with beautiful Japanese umbrellas, bright light streamed in.
After getting permission for photography, we went out to the rooftop terrace. It has a counter seat overlooking the courtyard of Kanto Terrace, with lovely sofa seats equipped with sunshades. Once seated, we were informed that we would be using a QR code for ordering and payment, but since the place was empty that day, we placed our orders verbally.
From the handwritten lunch menu, my husband chose the Lobster Sauce Shrimp Gratin Set for ¥1,200. It arrived steaming hot on a large plate! There were seven large shrimp, which was quite generous! They looked incredibly fresh and juicy, coated in the tasty lobster sauce. The gratin also had macaroni and onions, making it hearty and filling. Compared to the omelet rice, the flavor was richer, and my husband commented, “I want a glass of wine with this!” I took a tiny taste, and it was indeed rich and delicious, perfect for someone who enjoys a good drink.
I opted for the Hachioji Egg Omelet Rice for ¥900, which comes with a salad on the side. The salad featured green lettuce, watercress, and purple edible flowers with a Caesar dressing. The omelet rice had a soft, creamy layer on top, and when I broke it open, it revealed a comforting chicken rice inside. It had a simple, homey flavor, though I wished for a bit more chicken to be included. Still, at ¥900 with a salad, I couldn’t really complain.
Thanks to a reservation special on Hot Pepper, we could choose a welcome drink, and I selected one of the popular fruit wines, with my husband’s permission as the designated driver. I chose peach from the available options and was thrilled to discover that it was a fruit wine made with Honjozo sake, Hōō Bidan!
The Hōō Bidan Mature Peach wine was delightful, with real peach pieces floating in it, almost like a dessert! It was sweet and flavorful, with an alcohol content of around 5-6%, making it very easy to drink. Throughout our meal, the staff was attentive, bringing cold water and clearing our dishes, allowing us to enjoy our food at a leisurely pace.
The restaurant offers a main set, hamburger set, and daily pasta options for lunch, so there’s enough variety to keep it interesting for repeat visits. I’d love to try their homemade hamburger in the future! The atmosphere transforms in the evening, and they also have a café menu, indicating they provide continuous service. Kanto Terrace regularly hosts various events, making it a great spot for a break.
The restroom on the second floor was clean and beautifully designed too! Since this is a new establishment, I assume they are still finding their footing, but I genuinely want to support them as they grow.