Collie's Sweet Outdoor Pick at sweetgreen + My Paired Decaf Idea

It’s Friday evening, and we’re having a healthy dinner full of veggies at a charming café in Birmingham, Michigan. I’m on a date with Collie! I've already decided on my order—sweetgreen’s Autumn Harvest Bowl, hands down.

The brown building on the left is sweetgreen. https://www.sweetgreen.com/locations/birmingham

Featured Menu: Autumn Harvest Bowl 

Close-up of sweetgreen's 2025 Autumn Harvest Bowl: roasted chicken, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, organic shredded kale, roasted sweet potatoes, wild rice, goat cheese, roasted almond, apples, and balsamic vinaigrette.  It's more packed than I expected—such a generous portion!

My blue one is their eco-friendly still water in an aluminum can; Collie's orange Spindrift Grapefruit is bubbly seltzer with zesty grapefruit (his looks way more tempting...😅).

Customized for Meatless Friday Tradition

Following Catholic Friday no-meat practice, Collie customized his salmon bowl with two kinds of cheese, broccoli, and other veggies. 

Collie said he loves how you can customize your own unique dish just how you like.

Great that my research paid off—finding a spot Collie would love!

But I just realized I'd forgotten my own Friday abstinence and ordered the featured chicken dish...😂

Autumn Harvest Bowl & Customized Meatless Friday Bowl

eco-friendly still water & bubbly grapefruit seltzer

It turned into such a lovely Friday date because, although we first tried to grab seats inside, Collie suggested the outdoor table—what a great idea! Enjoying dinner with a Downtown Birmingham view in that comfy weather was pure bliss! 

Sweetgreen shines by offering fresh, seasonal ingredients in an easy yet delicious way. Healthy salads, bowls, and protein plates—you should try them too🎵

❤︎　❤︎　❤︎

I suggested we enjoy decaf coffee together at the Holiday Inn Express. It's in the breakfast area, but the coffee machine is available 24/7 for both regular and decaf options. When it's dark, sensors turn on the lights. Freshly brewed cup by cup and available anytime—love that convenience. Sharing these hotel perks with Collie makes me so happy.

❤︎

In the end, Collie and I never once got to share breakfast in that area. His top priority was helping his mother, who now lives alone in a wheelchair. I totally get it, but it leaves a slight tinge of sadness... Still, our brief date during his busy schedule was special. We chatted for a while, and that coffee we sipped together was delicious—just as I'd hoped he'd enjoy it when I recommended it.

◆ Quick Update ◆

To save money, I'd been skipping AC heating in favor of a mini heater. But I learned even a small one costs more after an hour or so—modern ACs in auto mode apparently use less power. Now I limit the mini heater to under an hour and run the AC heat at a low temp for a few hours a day. First time using it since moving into this apartment! The room's softly warm this winter, making my heart feel a touch richer😊

Hearty Elegance in Every Bite: 5 Days of Lunch & Dessert at Bistro Quatre Avril

As usual, here's a Visual Lunch Diary from my go-to bistro, Quatre Avril—this time featuring lunch and dessert. Hearty yet elegant, just what I needed on a chilly afternoon. (Dessert isn’t part of the lunch set: starter, main, and coffee.) 

Let's dive right in!

❶ December 26, 2024

Poulet rotis à la Provençale sauce moutarde de meaux, servir avec des legumes de salson

プロヴァンス風ローストチキン マスタードソース 季節の野菜添え

Buche de Noel du chef

シェフのブッシュドノエル

❷ February 4, 2025

Entrecote sautée aux quatres poivres avec pomme rotie

ビーフステーキ 4種の胡椒ソース ローストポテト添え

Quatre-quart chocolat et Natsu-mikan

ショコラと夏みかん🍊のカトルカール

❸ February 13, 2025

Roulade de cuisse de poulet aux legumes avec riz pilaf au carotte

チキンロール 野菜巻き キャロットピラフ添え

Pain rond maison(Homemade round bread) 手作りの丸パン

🥖 Not technically dessert, but perfect with coffee! 😆😛😁

❹ February 27, 2025

Escalope de porc panné sauce Milanaise avec pate

エスロカップ（ミラノ風カツレツ） パスタ添え

Brownie aux cacahuetes

ピーナッツ入りブラウニー

❺ April 5, 2025

Entrecote sautée sauce creme aux echalottes avec purée de pomme et legumes de saison

ビーフステーキ クリームエシャロットソース マッシュポテトと季節の野菜添え

Bavarois aus fraises

🍓イチゴのババロア

How was it? Bistro Quatre Avril is a cozy spot serving warm French country cuisine—generously portioned yet refined in presentation, with thoughtful healthy cooking methods too.

The mains were all meat-heavy this time, right? Come winter, steaks and thick cutlets appear—and my eyes turn to hearts😍 Always plump, juicy, and delicious, which is this bistro's signature charm.

Check out my previous Quatre Avril Photo Diary here♪：

Visual Lunch Diary: 7 Bold Shots from Bistro Quatre Avril

A Heartwarming Starbucks Treat: Savoring Mindfully in a Ceramic Mug

It’s been quite chilly these days. After walking outside in the cold, there’s nothing better than warming up with a hot drink in a cozy spot.

I usually just grab beans at Starbucks to brew coffee at home, but one day a staff member kindly pointed out I'd won a free drink on my receipt. Naturally, I chose my special cup to savor in the store. 

Steam was gently rising from the warm drink, making it all the more inviting. Actually, a few days later, I returned to Starbucks, having decided what I wanted to order.

The matcha latte was a tall size, made with oat milk and no syrup. Another friendly staff member kindly suggested, "We can add whipped cream too♪" 

This little bonus during my Starbucks visit was a gentle gift of a moment. They even let me sample today's coffee.

You can request a ceramic mug for in-store drinks at Starbucks—short or tall sizes work well for this. Unfortunately, paper cups have a plastic lining that can leach microplastics into hot beverages. I love drinking coffee from paper cups, though.

The matcha latte, with its soft color and flavor, now blended seamlessly with the whipped cream for a richer, creamier taste.

I usually go to Starbucks just for beans and skip drinking coffee there, and it's not only because of the paper cup issue. It's also about saving money. Plus, at home, I can brew it just the way I like with plenty of water to my taste.

Unexpected gestures from the staff, like a free drink and coffee sample, turned an ordinary Starbucks visit into something truly special. Opting for a ceramic mug over paper cups lets us enjoy these moments mindfully—free from microplastic worries—while savoring flavors just the way we love them at home or in-store.

 ◆ Quick Update ◆

I saw a post on SNS saying 70% of Japanese people aren't using their AC for heating! Some are even layering up with coats at home to get by. AC heating costs quite a bit more than cooling, after all. I'm the same—skipping AC heat myself and just using a small ceramic heater occasionally or snuggling on an electric underblanket, covered with my bedding. Let's all stay warm without getting sick! 😊

Visual Lunch Diary: 7 Bold Shots from Bistro Quatre Avril

Hi there! Today, I’m sharing 7 photos of the main dishes from the lunch menu at Bistro Quatre Avril, the place I often feature on this blog☆

"Ready? Let's feast your eyes!"

❶ November 3, 2024

Special de chef: Macaroni façon paella

<本日のスペシャル>シーフードたっぷりのマカロニのパエリア

❷ November 19, 2024

Entrecote sautée SP sauce avec gratin dauphinois

ビーフステーキ スペシャルソース グラタンドフィノワ添え

❸ January 21, 2025

Gratin de fruits de mer <限定>シーフードと野菜のグラタン

❹ February 11, 2025

Hachis parmentier

アッシパルマンティエ（マッシュポテトとひき肉のグラタン）

❺ February 25, 2025

Escalope de porc panné sauce Milanaise avec pate

エスロカップ（ミラノ風カツレツ）パスタ添え

❻ March 20, 2025

Poulet roti à la provençale sauce BBQ avec gratin dauphinois

ローストチキン プロヴァンス風 BBQソース グラタンドフィノワ添え

❼ April 26, 2025

Special du jour: Roast-beef servir avec pureé de marron, topinambour et pomme de terre

<本日のスペシャル>ローストビーフ 栗と菊芋とジャガイモのピュレとともに

That’s it for this Visual Lunch Diary — I’ve shared 7 shots from my recent lunches. I hope you enjoyed this series of delicious moments😀

You can check out my previous post about Quatre Avril here:

Not a Bakery Croissant, but Bistro Quatre Avril’s Deeply Satisfying Handmade One.

Stay tuned—I'll keep bringing you Quatre Avril's powerful yet elaborate dishes through the impactful photos!

Not a Bakery Croissant, but Bistro Quatre Avril’s Deeply Satisfying Handmade One.

＊Light, flaky, elegant — the bakery way.

＊Satisfying, warm, homemade — the Quatre Avril way.

At my go-to bistro Quatre Avril, they serve lunch and dinner dishes, plus a changing selection of baked goods on display each day. Their croissant is one of my favorites — honestly, I’d be happy coming here just for coffee and a croissant. But since the place isn’t open all day, I usually enjoy it after having lunch there.

So why do I always eat it there instead of taking it home? Mainly because I don’t want to ruin the croissant on the way. And also, they warm it up just right — that perfect balance of crispy outside and soft, buttery inside. Plus, enjoying it as fresh as possible is one of the best things about having it at the café❤️

When I’m having a meal there, Chef Bosco often talks about what he’s thinking of creating next — it’s such a heartwarming sight, seeing his constant desire to try something new in the kitchen.

On this day, the croissant came with icing — sweet and very dessert-like♪

Croissants from specialist bakeries are made with machines in factories or shops, rolled thin and even — so they’re perfectly delicate. But the handmade croissants at a bistro like this are different: rolled and folded by hand, so the layers are a bit thicker, the shape a bit more relaxed. That’s exactly what makes them special — lovely butter flavor, a warm homemade feel, and that satisfying taste.

Bistro Quatre Avril is all about the cozy, everyday flavors of French home cooking. And their croissant, with that everyday kind of happiness, pairs perfectly with their special coffee beans, brought in just for the bistro.

Here’s my previous post about Bistro Quatre Avril if you like  ↓

Bistro Quatre Avril Lunch Diary: A Regular That’s Never Regular

⭐︎　⭐︎　⭐︎

This is my last post of 2025. Thank you so much for being part of this little journey with me.

Wishing you peace and beauty in the new year!

Please feel free to come back anytime in 2026 — I’d love to share more memories with you...

Michigan’s First Starbucks Reserve Bar in Birmingham’s Ford Building

This Starbucks is on the same street as sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE. I recently learned that this impressive, historic-looking building is the Ford Building, constructed in 1896 by a local businessman named Frank Ford. The first tenant here was Levinson’s, the first department store in Birmingham, Michigan. Founded by Jewish immigrants Morris and Gitel Levinson, Levinson’s occupied the prominent corner space of the Ford Building as its main tenant.

101 N. Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009, U.S.A.

Today, that very corner is home to Starbucks, which opened there in 2017 as the first Starbucks Reserve Bar in Michigan. 

Starbucks Reserve Bar in Birmingham is an upscale version of Starbucks that focuses on high‑quality, small‑lot coffees and handcrafted drinks. Compared with a regular Starbucks, it offers exclusive Reserve beans, special brewing methods like pour‑over and nitro cold brew, and a more premium, lounge‑like atmosphere.

Historic plaque describing the history of the Ford Building

Although I didn’t get a chance to stop in this time, wandering around Birmingham led me to discover a piece of history I’d never noticed before, and now downtown Birmingham feels just a little more familiar and personal to me🌷

Scouting sweetgreen & PARIS BAGUETTE: Healthy Bites and Elegant Treats in Birmingham

After enjoying a morning stroll along Poppleton Street, it’s time to explore downtown Birmingham. Since I’ll be staying at a hotel here for several days, I want to get a good sense of the area on my own.

I wanted to get a clear picture of where sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE are because they were the first places that caught my interest during my initial research. 

Let’s start by taking a closer look at PARIS BAGUETTE😀

PARIS BAGUETTE is a global bakery chain originating from Korea. Indeed, the Strawberry Soft Cream Cake especially seems to cater to Japanese tastes, with its fluffy sponge base and generous fresh cream. Every cake here has an elegant quality to it.

I’d love to try the EGG Salad Sandwich, and the packaging’s message, "Freshly made to make your day," is really heartwarming.

Their products are also appealing because they use fresh ingredients and keep additives to a minimum.

Cozy yet chic seating area inside PARIS BAGUETTE, downtown Birmingham, Michigan☕✨

Could it be that this bakery’s philosophy to French-style methods and natural flavors is also reflected in a twist on these American-style cookies?

Since I plan to have something sweet in my hotel room for lunch today, I'm just browsing here. I’ll definitely come back again because it’s such a lovely café!　Next up is...

.. sweetgreen, right next to PARIS BAGUETTE. I thought it would be a great choice to get plenty of vegetables and enjoy healthy meals during my stay in Birmingham, so I added it to my list of places to visit. This store seems to have locations all across the United States.

Customizing everything still feels a bit overwhelming for me, so yeah, this is it! When I come for a meal, I’ll just try the Autumn Harvest Bowl😙♪

I learned a wonderful story. At that time, campus cafeterias’ fast food was convenient but not healthy, while healthy food took time and was expensive. Graduates who believed in the power of real food redefined fast food for a new era: fast, convenient, delicious, and healthy. They also made it affordable. The first store was opened by these three university students in Washington DC. Their vision is now being realized nationwide in the U.S.

I’ve checked out two great spots, sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE, and I memorized the route from my hotel. I’ll be sharing posts soon about my visits to each of these places. So please come back and visit my blog again♡　

Bistro Quatre Avril Lunch Diary: A Regular That’s Never Regular

Here’s another update in my Bistro Quatre Avril “Visual Lunch Diary” series ☆  

This time, I’m sharing a lunch featuring one of their regular menu items: the roast pork with special sauce, served with pasta.

Roast pork with special sauce, served with pasta

Longe de pork roti SP sauce avec pate

ローストポーク スペシャルソース パスタ添え

August 3, 2024

The classic version comes with a rich mushroom sauce, and the pasta is a delicate, ribbon-like rice pasta.

August 13, 2024

It looks almost like a luxurious steak, and this one comes with a white mushroom sauce.

August 31, 2024

Adorned with pink peppercorns, it has such a delicate, almost romantic feel…​

I used to love this fluttery, ribbon-like rice pasta, but apparently it’s no longer available.

October 10, 2024

There are days when it comes in slices like this ♪

The slightly pink pork and the pink peppercorns look so cute together.

Right after I snapped this photo, the chef added some veggies on top, haha.

This short pasta is rice-based as well, and the bouncy, chewy texture was really interesting. However, I don't get to see it either anymore.

March 6, 2025

There are also days when the pork is extra rich with fatty cuts.

And these days, the pasta that's usually served with it is wheat fettuccine.

How was that?

Even though it’s the same menu item, the details change from day to day, so every visit feels different. (And every version is delicious!) The pastas have almost no seasoning, yet they’re tasty enough to enjoy just by themselves. The pork and the sauces also vary depending on the day, so it’s always fun to see what they’ll be like this time.

Today’s post was a Visual Lunch Diary featuring one of Bistro Quatre Avril’s classic dishes: roast pork with special sauce, served with pasta!

Here’s the previous Bistro Quatre Avril Visual Lunch Diary ↓

Bistro Quatre Avril: Mains and Desserts to Brighten Your Day

◆ Quick Update ◆

I’ve switched my mobile carrier from BIGLOBE Mobile to Rakuten Mobile. The trigger was the upcoming price increase for basic landline phone service. I’ve had a landline for as long as I can remember, so it feels a bit sad to let it go…(..。But since calls within Japan are free when I use the Rakuten Link app (even from abroad!), I decided to go with Rakuten Mobile. So from now on, I’ll be using my smartphone for all my calls. ☺

Softly Melting, Deep Sweetness of Mont Blanc in Winter's Quiet

As the year draws to a close, recalling Angelina's Mont Blanc in my heart, I softly ponder: what have I truly accomplished this year?

December 5th—autumn has slipped away, and winter season has quietly arrived.

ANGELINA Mont-Blanc Demi(Half-size) at Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado

The moist, chestnut sweetness lingers in memory, whispering lessons of life's fleeting yet warm transience.

This year, my goal of traveling to America came true; I replaced my long-used computer and smartphone with new ones, and Father's third memorial passed peacefully...  Now, I notice a calm settling in my heart.

Two years approach since leaving the company, yet this sense of freedom and quiet is new to me. With duties fulfilled, surely my heart has shifted—from past experiences—to a phase befitting now: cherishing my own time.

It simply required time.

The dream of mastering English lies still far ahead. Yet, because of the effort I've put in, I shouldn't lose confidence.

Like pure white cream, I try not to forget pure softness. Now, my heart feels gently freed by the flow of time, arising from those very struggles.

Cherishing myself, from lessons lived through action, I step forward anew—toward the self deepening next year.

From Café Corners to Quiet Dreams: An Update on Life at the End of November

Today, I’d like to introduce a cozy café just about a two-minute walk from Musashi-Koyama Station. 

＊＊＊BREAD MATIERE Cafe & Bar＊＊＊

It’s impressive enough that it’s a bakery using 100% domestically grown wheat, but it’s also a place where you can enjoy wine and bistro-style dishes.

edamame and cream cheese bread & smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich

These are my two favorites. The smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich is made with salt bread. The combination of the flavorful salt bread and the carefully selected, delicious fillings inside creates a truly tasty treat.

edamame and cream cheese bread & salt bread

The edamame and cream cheese bread is baked with a salty dough wrapped around a filling of plenty of edamame, corn, and cream cheese mixed with ham seasoned with black pepper.

That day, I paired the breads with sparkling wine — a Cava from Spain. For reference, the café also offers a French Chardonnay as white wine and an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon as red wine. I really appreciate that the glass wines are both reasonably priced and delicious.

How did you like it? This was an introduction to a café with the atmosphere of a coffee shop rather than a formal restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic bread and bistro-style dishes — and of course, it also works as a bar! I personally love dropping by to enjoy the bread and wine. I hope you enjoyed this little tour.

◆ Quick Update ◆

Today is the last day of November, marking almost two years since I left my company. Recently, I had a dream. In the dream, a woman who hadn’t been kind remained unfriendly, acting secretly behind my back. There were many people from the company indoors, and I was walking among them. One man spoke kind words to me, and in response, I gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

In the dream, those who were unkind in reality remained so, and those who were kind stayed kind. There were exceptions at times, though, such as someone I had doubts about showing compassion in the dream.

I feel that dreams might not just be a replay of daily feelings, but a place where you meet truth in the spiritual world. Although I had regrets about being used conveniently in my company life, I realized there were surely some kind people, and it comforted me. 

It was through that dream that I found a sense of calm. With these thoughts, I spent the peaceful end of November.

Birmingham Sushi Caffe Experience & Reflecting on Missed Moments at Sushi Japan

After our walk in Birmingham, we decided to go for dinner at Sushi Japan. It was one of the places I had looked up back in Japan and really wanted to visit in Birmingham. Since I’m not very familiar with the area, Collie quickly checked the map on his phone and led us there. It was actually his first time too, but I really appreciated how proactively he took the lead in finding the place.

Google Maps showed it should be open, however, there was a notice saying it was closed today due to an urgent matter or something like that. Inside, there was a man who looked Japanese working alone. Collie asked me, “How about you talk to him?” but I held back.

The back entrance of Birmingham Sushi Cafe

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI 48009

Plans changed abruptly! We came to another sushi restaurant, Birmingham Sushi Cafe. Once again, Collie checked the location on his phone for us. 

This was a casual sushi restaurant where Asian staff who were not Japanese worked. Collie and I each ordered two types of sushi rolls. About six sliced pieces of each kind—four rolls in total—were served together on one plate. It was more filling than we expected!

Sitting by the window, we enjoyed sushi with a view of Downtown Birmingham in the evening. Between the walk on Poppleton Street and my choice of sushi restaurants, my plans in Birmingham are being put into action quickly on my first day in Michigan, thanks to Collie.

I think what I ordered was the Spicy Salmon Roll. The orange sauce poured over it is the spicy sauce. The other one was the Spicy California Roll, which contains crab salad and avocado inside. In the back, you can see the sushi roll Collie ordered, which has shrimp tempura inside.

And this is Collie's "Philadelphia." It’s a roll made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber. Since Collie couldn’t finish his portion, I managed to eat the rest! =3

Birmingham Sushi Cafe is a laid-back sushi restaurant that hits the spot when you want to enjoy some sushi without any fuss.

On the other hand, it was disappointing that Sushi Japan was unexpectedly closed today. As a Japanese person, I want to experience sushi run by Japanese owners.

Afterwards, when I was exploring Birmingham alone, I visited Sushi Japan, but it was closed and there was no one there. Now, writing this blog after returning from Michigan, I looked it up and found that it is listed as "permanently closed".

I wish I had mustered the courage to speak to the Japanese man inside when I first visited with Collie. At that time, I thought it would be fine to talk when I visited again while it was open. 

I might have been able to say something to support the Japanese person working hard in Michigan—that thought crosses my mind now.