La Vieille France, a famous French confectionery shop in Setagaya-ku, Chitose-Karasuyama. It is a bit inconvenient as it is about a 10-minute walk from the station, but there is a shop near Sengawa Station. At the main store, there are many Alsatian pastries where the owner chef trained, and popular items such as shortcakes, baked goods, ice cream, and sorbet are sold here. If you pre-order, you can also pick up whole cakes and celebratory items here. This time, for personal use, I purchased the most popular signature menu, "Fraise." It is an exquisite creation with a crispy sponge cake baked with almonds, a rich custard base cream infused with cherry brandy "Kirsch," and large cut strawberries sandwiched in between. The base is coated with caramel, and the balance of sweetness, acidity, and dark flavors at the end is well thought out to prevent it from becoming monotonous. I felt a bit sorry for only buying one, but the staff kindly accommodated me, and I am grateful! Thank you for the delicious treat.

I visited a patisserie in Kichijoji with a main store in Senzoku. I wanted to eat delicious gelato, so I visited on a holiday afternoon. Some flavors were sold out. I had a double scoop for 680 yen. The white peach flavor had a gentle aroma, and the taste was refreshing and light. It was a bit sweet, but fresh and delicious! I also tried the pistachio flavor for an extra 50 yen. The nutty aroma spread in my mouth, and the taste was rich! It was a satisfying gelato! I will definitely visit again when I crave gelato.

I visited in the evening, but it seems they were not sold out. The top is peach and the bottom is hojicha. A double scoop costs 680 yen. It was delicious, with the peach having a standard fresh taste and the hojicha being creamy. The price may be a bit high for takeout, but there is a bench in front of the shop. However, it's a bit hot in the summer and the ice cream melts quickly. I would like to try the Rose & Milk flavor when it gets cooler.

It's a small takeout-only shop. I bought some baked goods this time. The buttery madeleines are plump and full of flavor. The pistachio cookies are crispy with a surprisingly rich pistachio taste. The Breton galette is crunchy and has a delicious buttery aroma. It's a bit pricey at 1220 yen for 3 items, but the quality is quite high. I'll try the ice cream next time.

I stopped by the gelato shop behind the shopping center (in front of Toho University) with my family of four. We each enjoyed different flavors of ice cream, all of which were rich and delicious. The tiramisu flavor seems to require some skill to make, as only the manager can make it. It might be a good idea to stop by when going to the shopping center. ✌️

Today, I visited the La Vieille France Senkawa store in the Senkawa, Tsutsujigaoka, Shibasaki, and Nitta areas. This patisserie specializes in French pastries, offering a selection of classic and modern cakes. The store is smaller than the main branch in Chitose-Karasuyama, with a limited number of cake options. However, they do offer unique gelato and ice cakes not available at the main branch. I tried the Pistachio Nut & Strawberry de Bois gelato in a cone, as well as the Fraisier, Trois Chocolats, Madeleine, and Rhubarb Tart cakes. The gelato was simple but delicious, while the cakes were beautifully presented and had rich flavors. Overall, a great place to enjoy French pastries in a cozy setting.

It is smaller than it looks. The shortcake is not too sweet. The strawberries are sour. The chocolate cake is rich and sweet, but the nuts leave a gritty texture in your mouth. They also sell jam and macarons.

Located about a 10-minute walk from Sengawa Station, this shop has its main store in Chitose-Karasuyama, but this time I visited the one in Sengawa. What I ate: Stollen: 3.3 Mont Blanc: 4.0 The Mont Blanc was very delicious. The Stollen wasn't quite to my taste, but I still enjoyed it. Next time, I want to try their ice cream.

Visit on Sunday around 5 pm. It's starting to get a little chilly, but I want ice cream! BRIOCHE A GLACE ¥580 (YAOURT&MYRTILLE) "Ice cream sandwiched in brioche today's ice cream or sorbet sandwiched between homemade warm brioche and ice cream is the perfect combination." (Yogurt & blueberry blueberry sorbet and yogurt ice cream! A classic combination that needs no explanation, right?) They toast the brioche after you order and then sandwich the ice cream in it. There's a generous amount of ice cream, more than you'd expect. Delicious! The brioche is fluffy and hot. It's the perfect match for the ice cream!

It was a hot day, so I had gelato here. I chose pistachio and peach flavors. The pistachio was rich and creamy. The peach had a refreshing flavor with plenty of fruit chunks. You can choose between a cup or cone, and I chose a cone. This store also sells the same cakes as the main store.

The main store in Kichijoji is known for its delicious cakes and baked goods, so I decided to visit this branch in Sengawa after hearing that they also offer ice cream. The store here is much smaller compared to the one in Kichijoji, but they have gelato and ice cream cakes available. I purchased the Caramel Apricot ice cream cake (3500 yen), which was beautifully decorated with large apricots. The caramel ice cream and apricot sorbet combination was delightful, with a perfect balance of sweetness, caramel bitterness, and apricot acidity. It was incredibly delicious and I could eat it endlessly. Ice cream cakes are definitely a must-try in the summer!

【Exterior】The exterior of the shop looks like a small shop that could be found in a French street. Inside, there are elegantly displayed cakes. Although there are few varieties, I like the sense of rarity. 【Cake】This time, I ordered the Fraisier. First, look at it!! This beautiful appearance. It looks like a design that could be found in Marimekko. It's not just the appearance. It brings out the natural sweetness and acidity of strawberries, including the strawberry napage. You can feel that they are particular about the ingredients like strawberries. If you happen to stop by Sengawa, please give it a try.

This store gives the impression of having classic cakes available. The Senkawa store is convenient to visit, so I might buy the classic cakes here when I feel like it. The taste is consistent and delicious. There were also some baked sweets, ice cakes, and ice cream available. I didn't know the price of the ice cream, but it looked delicious!

I happened to stop by this small shop by chance. It seems to be a branch, with the main store located in Karasuyama. The customer service was good once the staff started talking and explaining things, but when I first entered the shop, nobody was there to greet me and it felt like they weren't interested in selling anything. Eventually, I was able to make a purchase and left feeling satisfied. I bought the Gâteau Marjolaine for 580 yen, which was a cake with hazelnut praline mousse and chantilly sandwiched between almond and hazelnut dacquoise layers. It looked simple but tasted really good, with a perfect balance of flavors. The next cake I tried was the Vandom for 600 yen, a vibrant pistachio cake with raspberry jelly inside. The pistachio mousse was not too soft and the combination with raspberry was perfect. Lastly, I tried the Caprice for 620 yen, which was slightly more expensive but the almond mousse made with Marcona almonds had a rich flavor and aroma. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this patisserie and would like to visit the main store in Karasuyama in the future.

About a 10-minute walk from Sengawa Station, down a side street of Shimachu, you can feel a touch of Paris in the air. I visited the Sengawa branch of the renowned shop "La Vieille France," which has its main store in Karasuyama. It seems that they specialize in gelato, as the showcase is filled with ice cream cases. Although smaller than the main store, they also offer cakes and baked goods, so it's worth checking out. This time, I was drawn to the appearance of the "Louposan" and decided to try it. The appearance is absolutely stunning. The calm color of the dacquoise is complemented by the orange of the apricot. The small macaron is also adorable. The composition includes walnuts at the top, apricot compote and salted caramel macaron, sandwiched between the dacquoise is caramel cream with plenty of walnuts, and a thin layer of apricot confiture. The dacquoise is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a rich walnut flavor. The cream is gentle and fluffy, with a rich caramel aroma. The walnuts inside are plentiful and perfectly roasted, adding to the overall experience. The apricot confiture that peeks through is lovely, adding a different dimension to the taste. The macaron is also excellent, with a crispy exterior and a moist interior. The sweetness of the salted caramel is irresistible. Overall, it was incredibly delicious, and I enjoyed every bite. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Senkawa store, which opened as an ice cream shop, has now become a convenient store with a variety of cakes, baked goods, and ice cream, although it is small. Currently, there are about 8 types of cakes available, along with baked goods and confectionery. Due to the COVID-19 situation, there is no seating available for eating inside the store. The prices have increased from before, but the taste is still fantastic. Senkawa and Chitose-Karasuyama are both competitive areas for Western confectionery, but I believe this store is at the top level. The Mille-feuille is large and crispy, with layers of custard cream and caramel-flavored custard cream showing fine craftsmanship. The brownie is coated with chocolate and has a rich texture, not like a typical home-style brownie, but a moist and rich chocolate brownie with a rich flavor. The Pistachio Cream Eclair is complex with a strong pistachio flavor. The raspberry seeds are beautiful. Although priced at 580 yen, it is quite expensive, but when you see the ingredients and the detailed work, it is understandable. The Georges Sand is a masterpiece with a beautiful red color on the surface, and four layers of sponge and chocolate cream inside. It is quite sweet due to the rich chocolate and red parts on the surface, but the dense texture is satisfying. The sponge is not fluffy but rather straightforward, and the taste, design, and craftsmanship are professional and admirable. Sweet treats are sweet and meticulous. It is satisfying. In the competitive area of Senkawa-Karasuyama, this is my favorite store.

"La Vieille France (Sengawa)" in Fig is a delightful cake shop located in Sengawa. It is a branch of the main store in Chitose-Karasuyama. I often visit this shop because I love their cakes and jams. The cakes are unique and always leave me impressed. I previously wrote about their Savarin cake on this blog. The taste is strong and very European. It is different from Japanese cakes. This time, I tried their Fig cake. It is shaped like a fig and contains dried figs inside. The color and shape of the cake sparks imagination. Some people have compared it to a gourd, a foreign jar, or even a character from a Japanese animation. But the most important thing is the strong flavor. The cake is moist, with a chewy texture that almost feels like it's sticking to your gums. It has a rich and heavy taste, perfect for adults. It makes me want to drink wine. La Vieille France cakes always make me crave wine. It's a sinful cake. Well, figs are known to pair well with wine. So, I ended up getting a bit tipsy in the middle of the day again. Living in Sengawa, I feel fortunate to have such experiences."

I love French pastries, and my favorite is Savarin. My friend found this place online and bought it for me. The subtle scent of brandy liqueur, sweetness, and the moistness of the bread soaked in it are amazing. I'm sure the other cakes are delicious too, so next time I'll try a different cake as well.

After returning from playing badminton, I wanted to eat some ice cream so I went to a cake shop in Sengawa. I had been wanting to try their ice cream because they have a lot of flavors! I got the black tea and orange flavor for 500 yen. The black tea ice cream is sandwiched between biscuits, and as you eat it, you find marmalade inside. It's the taste of happiness. It seems like I won't be able to buy it often because it's a bit pricey. I'll save up and buy it again next time.

【Exploring Sengawa】I explored Sengawa. Sengawa is located at the eastern end of Chofu City, close to Setagaya Ward. Sengawa is a station that ranks in the top 10 in terms of passenger numbers among over 50 stations on the Keio Line (excluding the Inokashira Line), even though only limited express, rapid, and local trains stop there. One of the main reasons for this is the presence of several universities and high schools in the area. Additionally, there are residential areas a little further away, which also contributes to the station's popularity. The residential areas consist of quite luxurious homes, so it's no wonder that there are many stylish shops around the station. 【Chofu Sweets Scene】Popular sweets shops in Chofu City are concentrated around Sengawa Station. There are three shops with a rating of 3.5 or higher on Tabelog. I believe there are more sweets shops around Sengawa Station than around the larger Chofu Station. There is only one shop with a rating of 3.5 or higher near Chofu Station. I think there are more cake shops around Sengawa Station than around Chofu Station. Therefore, I usually buy birthday cakes for my wife and cakes for guests at Sengawa. 【One of the Sengawa Sweets】One of the top three sweets shops in Sengawa is here. This shop mainly offers glass desserts and sorbets, with its main store located in Sengawa. The main store has been selected as one of the top 100 stores, offering cakes, baked sweets, macarons, and more. Recommended sweets are displayed at the storefront. Initially, I tried to order Brioche a Glass, but it was sold out. So, I ended up ordering Palais a Glass with raspberry. My wife ordered a single serving of Glass Chocolat. Palais a Glass with raspberry is made with sablé and raspberry sorbet. The raspberry sorbet is sweet and sour, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, making it very refreshing. I tried a bite of my wife's Glass Chocolat, and it was pleasantly sweet, with a good flavor. This may be the best ice cream shop in Chofu City. I would like to try Brioche a Glass next time. I also want to visit the main store in Sengawa.