You want a relaxing break? You want delicious and affordable food? IKEA's café is the place to be!

When you are not that hungry but feel like going somewhere for a change, when you are tired from walking and need a break, or when you don't want to spend a lot of money. Then, IKEA's café space is the perfect place for you.

IKEA Harajuku is located across the street to the left as you come out of JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando exit). You can browse a variety of products in the store, or go straight to the café. 

Business hours are:  Mon-Fri 11am-9pm,  Sat-Sun & Holidays 10am- 9pm

On this day, I was entranced by the back view of the lady sitting in front of me. She has beautiful shiny hair and a lovely slender body.

The common eating area is clean, white, and spacious. Bring your food to your seat. I like seats with a view of the outside. It seems more relaxing.

Hot coffee from the drink bar. And I picked up meatballs when they were ready. In addition to the meatballs, the cup contains mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and a gravy(cream) sauce. It appears that the three meatballs are no longer on the menu. It is now five or eight.

More information about the menu can be found here: https://www.ikea.com/jp/en/stores/restaurant/   It's wonderful to be able to enjoy popular Swedish cuisine at a casual price. It is literally "delicious and affordable".

Taking a break at a café can enrich your life.  It inspires me, and motivates me to do my best again.  

The Panini at ANTICO CAFFE AL AVIS are excellent, and the atmosphere is stylishly relaxing.

ANTICO CAFFE is an Italian-style café with a pleasant atmosphere that has been around in Roppongi, Ebisu, and other areas for a long time. My top pick is hands down Spinach PANINI!

Bread is homemade, and the variety of coffees by the barista are also delicious. My favorite is Cafe Americano❤︎

ANTICO CAFFE was established by people fascinated by the food and cheerful culture they encountered in Italy, bringing Italian cafe culture to Japan in a way that fits the Japanese lifestyle. 

Besides the popular Spinach PANINI, I like Carvolo PANINI (above left). It is plenty of coleslaw with plump shrimp served on white sesame seed buns.

Its cozy atmosphere plus reasonable pricing makes us feel like going there daily.

                          Cafe AMERICANO  ¥450                                    Spinach PANINI  ¥600

Spinach PANINI is made of spinach, four kind of mushrooms and bacon mixed with mayonnaise, all sandwiched in a black sesame bun.

Once an order is placed, the surface of the bun is grilled so we can be served fragrant PANINI.

This is when I came back for the Carvolo PANINI in the afternoon. Unfortunately, it was only available on the morning menu. So, I ordered a remaining sandwich without having the bun baked to see what it'd be like. However, I found that it tasted much better when baked. 

So in the near future, I'll go there in the morning to have Carvolo PANINI, which I wished for. For drinks, I'll stick with my usual, cafe AMERICANO. I'm sure I'll have a wonderful breakfast again.

Find ANICO CAFFE AL AVIS near you at this site: https://www.anticocaffe.ne.jp

I wish you a relaxing moment, Rose

Making hamburgers with sandwich bread is a fun way to try something new☆

At KUA AINA, you can choose from three types of bread when ordering a hamburger or a sandwich. It is from KAISER ROLL, BRIOCHE, or MULTI-GRAIN WHEAT.

MULTI-GRAIN is sandwich bread (sliced bread)☺　Click here for the menu.👉 KUA AINA MENU

One day, I ordered a burger made with sandwich bread instead of the usual buns.

AVOCADO BURGER made with sandwich bread at KUA AINA

A regular burger becomes something else when the bun is replaced with sliced sandwich bread!

It's a whole new style of enjoying your burger.

If you are a sandwich lover, I would recommend trying this way of eating once😊

I should limit my gluten intake. However, I still like going to a cafe. So I enjoy sitting back and having a sandwich there every once in a while.  Sandwiches and coffee are my crush💕

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!   Rose

The structure unlike Japan & Nostalgic Alcolic Cafe Roje

Not many people would have any idea that this building is in Japan. Here in a suburb of Tokyo, I am taking this photo as I pass the crossing. I usually only saw it from the train, but I wanted to get off at this station to explore the area.

Today, I would like to introduce you to an Italian-style restaurant Alcolic Cafe Roje that I found interesting. The restaurant is located just a short walk from the north exit of Numabukuro Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.

Pasta is 990 yen, salad and drink can be added for 110 yen. The salad + pasta + drink set will cost you only 1,100 yen😳  It's an absolute steal, isn't it!? In addition to this nice lunch set, I'll add something else since I'm in a town where I don't usually get off.

First, a salad from the lunch set. The edamame in it makes me low-key happy😊  The salad is rich and the quality is great!

Each pasta dish is served with a choice of sauce and two ingredients. I chose tomato sauce, shrimp and broccoli. This dish is deep in flavor and delicious💕  In addition to the lunch set, I ordered sparkling wine to accompany my meal😘

My choice after the meal was a café latte, which's also a part of the lunch set. I might want to add dessert as an additional order...

To commemorate my visit, I savour a tiramisu, which is a specialty of Alcolic Cafe Roge♪♪♪

Black coffee is the perfect way to finish off a substantial meal. Relaxing in the nostalgic atmosphere of this restaurant, I really enjoyed the food to my heart's content.

Its vibe, reminiscent of the good old days, as if you've traveled back in time, somewhere, but not in Japan. It's a mysterious place that makes you feel like you are somewhere not in Japan. If you're ever in the area, it's worth trying this authentic local cafe once as a part of your life experience.

Alcolic Cafe Roje   ◆available as a café, bar, or restaurant◆ 

2F, 1-39-3 Numabukuro, Nakano City, Tokyo, JAPAN

Relaxing in a coffee shop is a little trip in daily life.

Coffee is one of my everyday pleasures. I can't wait to make coffee from Starbucks beans every morning. I like to make my coffee with more hot water than is offered in the shop. I drink it black♪ 

Drinking coffee at home is wonderful, but sometimes I want to go out and drink coffee in a stylish space. It's a great option when you want to relax: step out of the house, get some fresh air, and visit other places where you can sit back enjoying delicious coffee.

soothing time in a cafe

It's a nice change of pace to change locations! If you're not planning on traveling or don't have much time, a coffee shop is an effortless, yet great way to unwind. 

In fact, I like going to McDonald's, too.  The people-watching there is also interesting. 

I am quite thrifty and enjoy most of my coffee at home.  So I'm stoked when I go out to a coffee shop. Relaxing in a coffee shop is a little trip you can take in daily life.

What is your daily refreshment of choice?  Wishing you a wonderful day today♡           ＊Rose＊

Sweet & relaxing time at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in Metro Detroit

Regarding my trip to Michigan for the first time in five years, ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP was a must to revisit! Three cakes I'd definitely love to eat had always been in my mind while I was waiting in Japan for travel restrictions to be lifted.

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP started its history in 1971 from the Greektown District of downtown Detroit, which was my first visit. Since then, I'd also visited Royal Oak shop several times, and this time, I came to Royal Oak shop again.

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP   320 S Main St. ROYAL OAK

The three cakes of my dearest wish is...

Carrot cake！

Cheesecake！

Red Velvet Cake！

And the following Milk Chocolate Cookie was a new surprise. Collie bought it quickly so he could eat it while walking and I had a bite of it. It was so good! 😍 

Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies

We took a quick look at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP, and stepped out for a stroll in downtown Royal Oak. We will come back to this shop again to get my dream cakes later. 

A music festival was being held in a certain area. We attended a little but that music turned out not to be Collie's thing, nor to be Rose's thing. It was a scorching hot day. So we cut short walking around the city. 

We are heading to ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP.

We decided to eat something at the store besides taking away some other cakes with us after that. Let's take a break in a cool place♪

Collie's choice is mint chocolate chip ice cream☺ 

Rose's choice is cheesecake☺

Collie ordered large sized ice cream for himself and like "I can't eat it all.", but ate it all. :3  

I ordered plain cheesecake because I wanted the simple taste of cheesecake itself. This is my first cheesecake of ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in a while. I'm happy❤︎

I have a penchant for cheesecake♡   It's not great in terms of health, but it tastes amazing！

We savored the relaxing atmosphere of the cafe sitting by the window and looking out at the street.

Savoring a treat inside the store with specialty gourmet coffee roasted just for their customers...✨ Coffee was great too and it went well with my cheesecake. I enjoyed the time to my heart's content. Collie is like, he's craving for meat after taking a lot of sugar. ww　But I'm sure he also enjoyed the sweet & relaxing time at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP like me.

We brought home a box containing three pieces of cakes. I will let you know which cakes we bought. 

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP is receiving many awards over the years and the high standard confections are preeminent in Detroit metropolitan area. I highly recommend you to go to this charming shop in Greektown or Royal Oak. You'd surely meet your favorite there.

I loved biscuits of CITY PARK GRILL in Petoskey, Michigan.

Having driven south from Mackinaw City, we stopped by Petoskey again. It's always exciting to find a good restaurant in Petoskey. AMERICAN SPOON, my icon of Petoskey, no more serves lunch since it became a gelato speciality store, so we looked for a new place to have our late lunch. 

Luckily it was not long before we found a nice place, which is also on E Lake Street and just near Pennsylvania Park like AMERICAN SPOON. We walked in CITY PARK GRILL. The decor has splendor. No wonder, it is one of Petoskey's oldest buildings and was originally constructed in 1875.

When we sat down, splendid warm biscuits were served. How tasty, and whipped butter is great, too! I love this biscuit. It was a yellowish, cookie-like biscuit. 

 

Collie's choice

FISH SANDWICH added SWEET POTATO FRIES

A powerful dish with gorgeous white fish, and plenty of Sweet Potato Fries!   Compared to that －

Rose's choice

SHELLFISH CHOWDER  small sized

It is including shrimp, scallops, clams...but whole the portion is much smaller than I expected...

( ；∀；)  I was so jealous of his dish. I've made the same mistakes as I made this time.

I asked for another biscuit to satisfy my stomach...and again one more... While I was still working on it, my whipped butter was taken away swiftly by a cheerful waitress. It often happens...( ；∀；) However, it's a nice restaurant serving delicious lunch & dinner where welcoming staff is likable.

CITY PARK GRILL

432 E Lake Street Petoskey, Michigan 49770

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11:30 AM - 9 PM

When you visit Petoskey, please try a splendid hot biscuit with lots of whipped butter. You will be surprised at how delicious it is. Free refills so I recommend you to ask for another one. Have fun!

I dreamed of eating at 'ZACHARIAH'S' and 'MACKINAW BAKERY & CAFE' in Mackinaw City

In the morning, I took photos of my favorite spot in Downtown Mackinaw City.

I wanted commemorative photos here in bright light, too.  

ZACHARIAH'S.  For a closer look, you can see my favorite spot (taken last evening).

Diagonally across from ZACHARIAH'S, there is another charming shop called MACKINAW BAKERY & CAFE.  You can eat what you ordered or bought in the ample dining room next door. 

 

Breakfast Sandwiches are made with homemade Croissants & Bagels. Also, they are baking many kinds of pastries. Eating inside of the shop must be great! I dreamed of it. 

But I might not be able to come here anymore... So I focus on the best I can right now. I took the photo with all my heart.

There is also a gift shop as well as a cafe.

I took a photo of this house again.

I came into ZACHARIAH'S to see what it was like inside. Enchanting cheese cakes were taken as a commemorative photo. I wish I could enjoy it leisurely one afternoon.

ZACHARIAH'S, MACKINAW BAKERY & CAFE, DIXIE SALOON, and the pastel blue house are close and all seen in this video I took: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9i09RNSa7M/, which was the last.

I'm writing in Tokyo. What I can do now is uploading these photos carefully on my blog. My thoughts will live on here. My precious memories... Let me finish my travel record till the end. God, please draw me near to you.  Rose 

 

an active day at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and a new gift

We hit the road and reached Tahquamenon Falls State Park, that is between Newberry City and Paradise City in the northern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The sun is so bright. We played in the river. I was impressed that Collie brought a bath towel so he could dry our feet later. It's like him😉 

The water is so clear that you can see straight down to the bottom! 

I didn't take a picture this time, but you can see all 360 degrees of Tahquamenon Upper Falls through Google's Street View. Tahquamenon Upper Falls is not only Michigan's largest waterfall, but it is also one of the largest waterfalls in the United States east of Mississippi River.

Nothing beats cold beer on such a scorching day!😋  We usually have lunch at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub when we come to this park. It is a unique brewery with meals that fill you up and rustic charm, offering fine selection of micro brewed beers. I am blown away by the distinctive quality of harvest wheat beer.

I did one of the sandwiches. It is BIG!😳 All sandwiches are served with beer battered fries (substitute onion rings for $4). I rather like simply fried french fries, but many people seem to like beer battered fries. I ate up all the food on my plate. Ohhhh, I'm stuffed... 

Camp 33 Gift Shop

Camp 33 Gift Shop is located next door to the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub. It's so cute that stairs are full of stuffed animals. I couldn't help but record it on video😊

→ https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KahJbSiU-/

Hiking on the trail, watching falls, playing in the river, big lunch with beer, the gift shop...we had a blast. It was an active day. Then we drove back south, and headed towards Mackinaw City through Mackinac Bridge. After we checked in at a hotel in Mackinaw City －

I took a picture of a necklace. It's same as the one which I bought last time. This time, Collie bought it for me when I was wondering if I should buy a new one or not because the former one was partially damaged. 

Coming back to Japan, I sometimes wear this necklace Collie bought for me. This necklace is full of memories on that day, and his kind suggestion.

Let's grab lunch at Tropical Smoothie Cafe!

Have you ever been to Tropical Smoothie Cafe? I've never been there until now. It is an Atlanta-based quick-service restaurant founded in Florida. Locations are more than 1150, in the US only so far? It looks like a vibrant cafe with a healthy appeal.

They are like, safe and quality ingredients means more than just delicious food and smoothies. Nice!

Rose's choice from WRAPS on the menu

BAJA  CHICKEN

grilled chicken, rice, black beans, smashed avocado, romaine,

pickled red onions, cheddar & roasted tomato salsa

It's awesome! I chose a wrap that included rice as an ingredient. Rice is a staple food in Japan. So this is a wonderful way to satisfy my stomach and heart while enjoying different country's cuisine.

Collie's choice from SALADS on the menu

THAI  CHICKEN

grilled chicken, carrots, cilantro, scallions & wontons

on a bed of romaine & served with Thai peanut dressing

His THAI CHICKEN looks great!  He chose a good one.

From SIDES on the menu

Collie's choice: MAPLE-KISSED SWEET POTATOES

Rose's choice: WHOLE FRUIT(choice of banana or apple)

I love it! 'Roasted' SWEET POTATOES are kind to the body and way healthier than 'fried' ones that are common in other restaurants. The beauty is that the roasted MAPLE-KISSED SWEET POTATOES are maple-grazed to make them tastier in a healthy way.

He didn't order a smoothie because he's afraid of the high calories, but I got one for me as it's a great opportunity in the US. Why not! 

Rose's choice from SMOOTHIES on the menu

PARADISE POINT

strawberries, banana & pineapple

Yum... It was heavenly❤︎  This is the best smoothie I've ever had. I'll definitely be a repeat customer.

However, the sweetness is not only due to natural sugars from the fruits alone. The chain adds turbinado sugar into smoothies. Turbinado sugar is raw cane sugar, a type of raw brown sugar. Unfortunately, the smoothie is not something you can drink every day because of added sugar. Still, this tastes amazing and I believe it's made from fresh and quality fruits. The slightly higher prices compared to other smoothie shops makes sense considering the high-quality and fresh ingredients. 

So...I'll try other menus while I'm in the US. I'll let you know more about that then.

Talk to you later, Rose