I took my mother-in-law to a nearby hospital and passed the time by going to Stella, a familiar cafe. The atmosphere was just like it was four years ago, with a nostalgic Showa era vibe. The regular customers, mostly older gentlemen, were still there, and the old music box Stella was now displayed with a cover on a decorative shelf. The menu had slightly increased in price due to the consumption tax over the past four years, but without thinking too much, I ordered the same set as before - iced coffee and buttered toast (630 yen). Recently, traditional cafes have been turning into modern cafes or closing down, so it's nice to see places like Stella still around for us Showa era folks. After about 5 minutes, the toast was ready, and my iced coffee and toast set arrived. It was served in the same milk pitcher and syrup dispenser set that I remembered from four years ago. I poured some milk and syrup into the coffee from the pitcher, gently stirred it with a straw, and enjoyed it. The buttered toast was thick and generously spread with butter, just the way Kansai people like it. It was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and tasted delicious with the salty butter. It was made with the thick slices of bread typical of Kansai, like a 4-slice loaf. Despite it still being morning, it was a hot day in Kyoto, with temperatures nearing 35 degrees under the blazing sun. Even after the Gozan no Okuribi festival, there was no sign of autumn yet, and the sound of the cicadas made it still feel like midsummer. I hope the cooler autumn with the sound of crickets will come soon! I spent about an hour there, browsing on my phone. It's time to go now! I paid 630 yen and it was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I went to a nearby hospital for an appointment and had some time to spare, so I decided to stop by a café in the neighborhood. The café had a nostalgic atmosphere, bustling with regular customers, and a kind lady was running the place by herself. I ordered an iced coffee and buttered toast to pass the time. The café had four tables for four people each and a counter with three seats, behind which was the kitchen. There was a large covered case next to some potted plants, and a restroom in the back. Soon, my iced coffee and thick buttered toast arrived. The toast reminded me of the delicious thick toast I used to have at cafés, with a crispy crust and soft, fluffy inside. The iced coffee was good, and the stainless steel milk and syrup dispensers brought back memories of Showa-era cafés. The regular customers were surprisingly older, mostly men, but it seemed like a popular café in the area! After leisurely passing the time, I left the café feeling like I could easily become a regular there. When I looked up the café later, I found out that it was named Stella after a 1900s Swiss music box called Stella by Mermod Frères. I think the covered case next to the restroom must have been the music box. It must have sounded something like this! Enjoyed the meal!