Relaxing at Somerset Collection’s North Court Lounge — My Michigan Memoir

I checked out of the Holiday Inn Express Detroit-Birmingham. Like I shared before, I loved the heartwarming messages on the TV screen that said "Good Morning" and "Good Evening" along with my name. However, on the morning of my departure, I was caught off guard by a disappointing contrast. The screen bluntly read something like, "Pressing check-out will immediately deactivate your room key." If they had kept using my name and added, "How was your stay? We look forward to welcoming you back," it would have warmed guests' hearts and given the hotel a much better reputation.

Collie came to pick me up at the hotel and dropped me off at the Somerset Collection in Troy, Michigan. Leaving my suitcase in his car, I planned to spend my day there while he was off at work.

North Court Lounge in Somerset Collection North

This is my absolute favorite spot❤︎ It’s the North Court Lounge, located right near the first-floor entrance of Nordstrom in Somerset Collection North. The modern, calm atmosphere of this public lounge is so open and beautiful. As the pleasant morning light streams in, I open up my laptop... Time just seems to glide by peacefully here. 

Naturally, I had to take all my things with me every time I went to the restroom, but it was a wonderful, cozy time. Afterward, I explored the spacious Somerset Collection, browsing through so many stores. And eventually, I got incredibly hungry! After days of having biscuits and cinnamon rolls at the hotel, I was seriously craving rice with some savory side dishes. To satisfy this hunger, there was one casual spot I could easily head to—

Panda Express!

I was SO happy😂 This was exactly the kind of meal I had been dying for. When traveling in the US, Panda Express is truly a lifesaver! It completely satisfied my cravings and filled my appetite♡　

(And yes, I brought along a bottle of water I had picked up at Kroger during my hotel stay as my little companion.)

In fact, after trying it on over and over and pacing back and forth to make up my mind, I was completely exhausted—but by the time I sat down for lunch, I had finally scored a brown autumn coat at ZARA!

After a whole day of exploring the Somerset Collection, I stopped by Beyond Juicery & Eatery for the perfect wrap-up to a full, pleasant day. A refreshing smoothie was just what I needed to quench my thirst! I think I ordered the "Total Energy" smoothie with 🍓strawberry and 🍌banana.

By the way, there was a necklace at Nordstrom that I just couldn’t get it out of my head. Later during my stay in Michigan, Collie brought me back there, and I got to buy it (using the pocket money he gave me 😄) while it was still on sale.

At ZARA, I had also fallen in love with a black oversized coat. But I didn't have the courage to lug two heavy coats back to Japan, so I walked away from it. Still, since it’s a classic piece whose design changes a little bit every year, I knew I wanted the specific one I had tried on in Michigan. In the end, I managed to track it down and get it through BUYMA (a Japanese online fashion marketplace) a few months after returning to Japan!

Evening came, and Collie arrived to pick me up. "I bought an autumn coat♪ ^^" I told him. But in reality, that necklace and the black coat were still lingering in the back of my mind.

The moment I reunited with Pepper—Collie’s mom’s dog—on this trip was when I spotted him inside Collie’s car. Apparently, Collie sometimes brings Pepper back to his place to look after him or take him to the vet. "I'm so happy to see you again," I said softly, gently touching Pepper. He had grown older and frail, but was sitting upright, nestled safely inside a soft, cushioned box in the backseat.

Now, as I sit in Japan writing this Michigan memoir, I still haven't told Collie that I actually got the exact same black ZARA coat from back home.

◇ Quick Update ◇

You can now find my Pinterest and Instagram links under "FIND ME ON," just beneath the ABOUT ME section. Since I regularly update those spaces with my curated photos, they’re a wonderful place to enjoy more visual moments and stay connected between my blog posts🌷
 

Early Summer Stroll in Higashi-Gotanda and a Verse for Your Soul

On a bright sunny day in May, I walked this path in Tokyo, surrounded by the city buildings. Moving forward under the lush green leaves filled my heart with hope and energy.

Nicely landscaped walkway next to Park Tower Gran Sky
in the Higashi-Gotanda area of Shinagawa. The wide,
tree-lined path makes for a very pleasant stroll, and
there is an Aeon Food Style supermarket right next to it.

Walking through such a vibrant, green path always reminds me of the power of refreshing our minds. Whenever you need a little encouragement today, I hope these words comfort your soul.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

あなたの道を主にゆだねよ。主に信頼せよ。主が成し遂げてくださる。

Psalm 37:5 NRSV

May your day be filled with peace and light.

Bistro Quatre Avril Photo Diary: 5 Amazing Lunch Mains & Desserts (with a special twist🥺)

Hi everyone😊 Today, I’m sharing a photo diary of lunch mains and desserts from 5 different visits to my go-to spot, Bistro Quatre Avril. (Note: Desserts are an extra charge.)

While I made sure to match the menu names exactly with Bistro Quatre Avril's Instagram, the very first main dish actually got an upgrade. The chef was kind enough to add some rare shellfish and shrimp for me! ※

May 1, 2025

Poisson roti à la dieppoise avec riz pilaf

お魚のロティ ディエポワーズ（ノルマンディの地名）風ピラフ添え

↓

※ Roasted fish dieppoise served with pilaf rice, specially

upgraded with rare shellfish and shrimp added by the chef.

珍しい貝と、海老 追加！

May 1, 2025

Gateau aux pommes

🍎りんごのガトー

✧ ･ ﾟ : *    ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆  ☾  ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆    ✧ ･ ﾟ : * : ･ ﾟ ✧    ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆  ☾  ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆    * : ﾟ ･ ✧

May 27, 2025

Ratatoulle traditionnelle, l'oeuf poché avec baguette maison

野菜たっぷりラタトゥイユとポーチドエッグ 自家製バゲット添え

↓

They were kind enough to let me switch

 the homemade baguette to pilaf rice. 🥺

自家製バゲット添えを、ピラフに変えてもらっちゃいました。

May 27, 2025

Brownie zeste d'orange, cacao de Cote d'Ivoire

コートジボワールのカカオとオレンジピールのブラウニー

✧･ﾟ: *   ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆   ✧･ﾟ: * :･ﾟ✧   ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆   * :･ﾟ✧

June 14, 2025

La Kedjenou Ivoire façon grande-mere avec riz

キジヌー（鶏肉の美味しい煮込み）ピラフ添え

June 14, 2025

Clafouti aux abricots

アンズのクラフティ

✧ ･ ﾟ : *    ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆  ☾  ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆    ✧ ･ ﾟ : * : ･ ﾟ ✧    ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆  ☾  ⋆ ⁺ ₊ ⋆    * : ﾟ ･ ✧

July 24, 2025

Gaspacho et capellini avec effiloché de poitrine de volaille

（冷製）カッペリーニ（極細パスタ）鶏肉入りガスパチョソース

July 24, 2025

Gelée d'orange d'ete aux abricots

アンズ入り夏みかんのジュレ

✧･ﾟ: *   ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆   ✧･ﾟ: * :･ﾟ✧   ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆   * :･ﾟ✧

August 28, 2025

Aiguillette de poulet sauce tomate au pistou avec pate fraiche

チキンのソテー ピストゥ（バジル）とトマトソース パスタ添え

↓

They were kind enough to let me switch

 the pasta to pilaf rice again. 🥺

パスタを、またピラフに変えてもらっちゃいました。

August 28, 2025

Tarte rustique aux nectarines

ネクタリンのタルトリュスティック

I always have the best time (and the best meals) at Bistro Quatre Avril.  Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful day 💕

Missed the last post?

👇Read my previous Quatre Avril diary here.

A Perfect Bistro Lunch and a Hilarious Google Surprise!

A Gifted Can of Pale Gold: Discovering the Unfiltered Magic of Bavik Super Pils

A Quiet Night in with the Belgian Pilsner Champion

It was my last night at the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan. Collie booked this room for me(us), but he ended up never staying here. But looking back, it couldn’t be helped. His mother lives alone and uses a wheelchair, and he was the best-suited person in the family to help her transfer and move around. After walking me to my hotel room, he always went back to her place. Still, I realize we were lucky to see each other as much as we could.

It's already late at night, but I wanted to do something to remember my final night at this hotel. So, I decided to raise a toast by myself with the beer I received from the friend Collie and I went to see.

As a parting gift, the husband of the couple gave me his top-recommended beer, and I had kept it chilling in the fridge. It was a premium pilsner crafted by the Belgian brewery De Brabandere, which seems to be well-known for its high quality among beer lovers even in the US market.

Discovering the Taste of Belgium's Finest Pilsner

• A high-quality Belgian pilsner loved by those in the know.
• It pours a pale golden color with beautiful clarity.
• It is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving the vibrant, living freshness of the yeast.
• It has a slightly richer mouthfeel than your average light lager.
• It delivers a sophisticated blend of floral, herbal, and spicy notes.

This is a pilsner completely new to me! Unlike standard crisp-focused lagers, this overwhelming freshness delivers brilliant clarity combined with a rich body. It’s elegant and incredibly comforting.

It was a beautiful night. A beautiful stay in Michigan. Even though I was spending the night alone, it felt completely different from being back in Japan—knowing he was just a short drive away. We are still together, in our own way. There is nothing wrong with spending a night like this.

The other siblings are advising their mother to move to assisted living. I respect that opinion. On the other hand, I understood Collie's hope to let his mother live as she pleases. That's typical Collie. It must be because he is that kind of person that I have stayed by his side, no matter the distance.

Like a Scene from a Movie: Discovering the Charm of Autumn in Downtown Birmingham

An autumn dream in Downtown Birmingham

It’s my last day walking around Downtown Birmingham, Michigan. While I’m here, I might as well wander down some streets I didn’t get to explore much this trip.

Serena & Lily, home design on West Maple Road

Since it was already October, pumpkins had started to appear among the flowers displayed at the storefronts.

I understand that for Catholics, All Saints’ Day on November 1 is more important than Halloween on October 31—at least, that’s how Collie sees it. I’ve heard him say time and time again that people get so caught up in Halloween festivities that they forget about the significance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Tender Inc, women's clothes & accessories on West Maple Road

Tender sits in a white building just like the neighboring Serena & Lily, exuding an elegant vibe.

Palatine Hill Wealth Management, financial planning on West Maple Road

The quaint black staircase and chic buildings feel like a scene from a movie.

Le Pecora Nera, Italian deli & cafe - Toast, breakfast restaurant on Pierce Street

I just checked Le Pecora Nera’s website, and I’m totally hooked! I’m leaving this here as a little note to myself.  https://lpnitaliandeli.com/  Their Signature Sandwiches look absolutely delicious 🥰

Mount-N-Repair, jewelry repair service - Crimson Rose Antiques - Maddog, ventures management 

on Pierce Street

As a Japanese person, finding myself walking through Birmingham, Michigan feels almost like a miracle. It may seem ordinary while it is happening, but looking back, I realize these moments may never come again. That was why I wanted to save the best photos I was capable of at that time.

The Townsend Hotel https://www.townsendhotel.com/ on Townsend Street

The grand and dignified Townsend Hotel became the finale to my strolling.

I felt so fortunate to spend time in Birmingham, Michigan, as a milestone in my journey. Even if I had grown up and lived in Michigan, I don't think I would have had the financial means to live here. For a few days, I lived as if I were a resident of this town, walking freely through the downtown and savoring the beauty of its cafés, architecture, and autumn scenery.  It felt like a dream—

A precious experience I will always treasure.

A Perfect Bistro Lunch and a Hilarious Google Surprise!

One day, I went for lunch at Bistro Quatre Avril, my favorite French bistro in Tokyo. As I glanced through the glass display where they offer a rotating selection of baked goods, I noticed pain aux raisins among the offerings that day. 🥰

pain aux raisins at Bistro Quatre Avril

“I’ll save this for later.”

Thinking just that, I picked one up and settled into a counter seat inside.

　　　　　　　　　　　      

Steak haché sauce Bordelaise

ビストロのハンバーグステーキ ボルドレーズソース

I had the hamburger steak today. The one here at Bistro Quatre Avril is impressively tender, thick, and quite generous in size. It was a truly satisfying meal—and now, I have my pain aux raisins next♪

What's great about this place is that you can enjoy the pastries displayed by the window right here in the cafe, or grab some to go. I enjoyed a pain aux raisins for here along with my lunch coffee that day.

Aside from the pastries in the window, they also have rotating plated desserts on the menu:

🍰 Quare Avril Dessert Photo Diary & Matcha Happiness 

I love the laid-back vibe here. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area! 

◇ Quick Update ◇ 

I noticed that when you search for 'Rose' 'Charmed by Michigan' on Google, the People also search for section pops up further down the page. Some of the results are pretty hilarious. 😂

I live in a town in Tokyo near the Meguro River, where I spend my days blogging. My current Michigan Journal series is actually about my trip back in October. In addition, I share snippets of my Tokyo Daily Life, like the story I shared today.

My blog feels a bit like a memoir, but by looking back and writing about these moments, it feels like I’m reliving those experiences together with all of you. Thanks for joining me on this journey!  Rose

Sy Thai Cafe: Finding Comfort in a Thai Lunch in Birmingham, Michigan.

A hidden Thai spot for travelers craving rice and rice noodles

Monday afternoon… While most people were getting back into work mode and heading into their offices, I, as a traveler spending my days in Michigan, was wandering around downtown on my last day in Birmingham, craving something a little closer to Japanese comfort food for lunch.

And guess what—again—Sushi Japan, the place I was expecting to finally be open today, was closed😲! After a few days of happily indulging in sausage patties, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls at the Holiday Inn Express, my body was seriously starting to miss rice. I had my heart set on sushi, but at this point, I decided to switch gears and look for any kind of Asian food instead.

I was already starving by then. Then it hit me—I had noticed an Asian-style restaurant when I was exploring earlier—so I started walking in that direction.

SY THAI CAFÉ

315 Hamilton Row Birmingham, MI 48009

Phew, I made it in time for lunch! Lunch is served daily here from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Since this is Thai food, there should be rice noodles on the menu, right? 😊

Rice noodles, they were here🎉  I was so happy. I think the dish I ordered was a curry noodle with plenty of mixed vegetables. You can choose one from “chicken, pork, tofu, vegetables, beef, shrimp, squid, scallop, or imitation crab” and add it to your bowl. I went with scallops!

When the staff member asked me what spice level I’d like, I hesitated between mild and medium.

I asked, “How spicy is medium?” and he replied, “Can you handle spicy food?”  When I said I don’t usually like it too spicy, he recommended mild instead.

In the end, I realized mild was actually perfectly spicy for me. I told the staff member that his recommendation of “mild” was just right. I also liked how calm and easy to talk to he was.

Through the glass windows, I could see the downtown street clearly, and it made for such a relaxing and enjoyable lunchtime.

Sy Thai Cafe has a casual, simple interior that felt very comfortable, and the food was delicious.

If you’re in Birmingham and want to enjoy an Asian-style meal while soaking in the town’s atmosphere, this little spot is definitely worth trying—it’s a hidden gem, offering thoughtful flavor and value without feeling expensive 🥢 ✨