Hyperlocal Tokyo

This was my first time at "Senbikiya." I arrived around 2 pm on a Sunday and there were about 20 people waiting outside on chairs. It ended up taking almost an hour to get in. I recommend deciding what you want to eat beforehand while looking at the menu by the entrance. Most of the staff seemed to be women. They provided very polite service. Considering the location and the brand of the store, the prices were definitely on the higher side. It would be nice if they included the origin of the fruit. I wish there was a bit more fruit in the portions. The red bean paste in the "anmitsu" was too sweet for me. I would also prefer less agar-agar and more fruit.

Today's sweet treat: #BlueberryParfait from #千疋屋総本店 (#Sennichiya Sohonten). I came here specifically for the blueberries. This parfait is exclusive to the Nihonbashi Takashimaya store. The blueberries weren't very sweet 😔. The black tea ice cream was strong and memorable. Pairing it with lavender was unexpected. The fresh blueberries were a bit underwhelming, but overall it was decent. Though, considering the price, I'm not sure. It's a good place to relax, so it's okay. It cost around ¥3,400 with a drink. I arrived before noon and waited about 30 minutes. ---- Ingredients: * Circle chocolate * Domestic fresh blueberries * Fresh mint * Blueberry cream * Blueberry sorbet * Whipped cream * Lavender jelly * Black tea ice cream * Crumble * Vanilla ice cream * Blueberry and lavender compote ---- #SweetTooth #Sweets #Dessert #Sweet #Dessert #SweetsClub #Snack #TokyoFoodie #TokyoSweets #NihonbashiSweets #Cafe #CafeHopping #TokyoCafe #NihonbashiCafe #Parfait #ParfaitLife #ParfaitClub #FinalParfait #Parfait #TokyoParfait #Blueberry #Blueberry #PurpleSweets #PurpleLover #Sennichiya #FruitParlor #NihonbashiTakashimaya

As expected from a place like the main branch of Sembikiya, the prices are high. It's best to avoid going there on a whim. You don't need to go all out, but it's a significant expense, so it's best to go when you have some financial and mental leeway, to indulge in a luxurious experience or as a treat. The sweets and drinks, which make the most of the ingredients, are delicious. Since they use fresh fruit, there will always be some variation between individual pieces, so it's a matter of luck whether you'll get something that's absolutely delicious.

Disappointing. I had the mango curry after a long time, but the meat was tough and chewy, almost like it was from a retort pouch. It used to be so delicious. They must have cut costs. The parfait bowl is much smaller now, and the fruit is piled high, making it Instagram-worthy, but it doesn't feel like it's worth the price. I won't be coming back. The fruit sandwiches at Nishimura or Kashiwa are definitely better. 🍈 The parfait is only sweet on top. The bottom is watery and bland. I paid 6,000 yen and got change. Hmm, there are many other delicious fruit shops now. This might have been acceptable 20 years ago, but not anymore. I'm not paying for the brand name, so I'll be going elsewhere. The last five photos are from other shops. For reference.

The fruits were of excellent quality. It was a weekday, so I was able to enter without much of a wait. The pudding in the parfait was the old-fashioned, firm kind - which I love. The seasonal mango was also delicious, with its rich aroma and sweetness.