カルグクス
For a fan of Rokkatei like me, it was almost destined for me to plan a trip to Hakodate after 13 years to visit the newly opened Gyuho-ten last December. But in reality, it was just a fortunate coincidence. As I looked out, I could see the Tsugaru Strait spreading out in front of me, with Hakodate Mountain on the right and the ryokan in Yunokawa Onsen on the left. The location was truly amazing and awe-inspiring.
Standing in this picturesque location was a stylish building that was typical of Rokkatei. The first floor was for selling sweets, while the second floor was a café. Both floors had a very open and airy feel with full-length glass windows, creating a maximum sense of openness.
This time, I would like to focus more on the café experience rather than introducing the familiar sweets I bought as souvenirs. The sales opening was at 10:00, while the café opened at 11:00. It was the second day of a 3-day weekend, and unfortunately, I was running late.
I arrived right at 11:00, but there were already customers who had lined up before the opening, and some had already been called to go upstairs. Luckily, I was able to get a seat at a table for two on the second floor. The café had a layout of counter seats by the window and tables for two or four people, accommodating nearly 30 people.
The view outside the window was spectacular, and the sunlight was streaming in on this particular day, making it a lucky choice. The menu was surprisingly diverse, with options like curry and pizza, but I decided to focus on the sweets, starting with the limited menu item, Ricotta Pancakes.
Walking from Matsukaze-cho to here took about 40 minutes, and my body was feeling warm, so I also ordered a Strawberry Parfait to cool down. The café's traditional menu also caught my eye, and I ended up ordering more than two items, as expected.
The service was excellent, with the staff being very accommodating and the chef even personally bringing the sweets to the customers. The quality of the sweets was top-notch, just like Rokkatei's famous confectionery. The Strawberry Parfait and Ricotta Pancakes were delicious, with a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Overall, the experience at Rokkatei's café was fantastic, and I could see a common thread between their sweets and café menu items. The high-quality yet approachable nature of their offerings made it a truly enjoyable visit.