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. ☺

Homes, Greenery, and Quiet Wonder — A Morning around Poppleton Street, Birmingham

After enjoying my first breakfast at the Holiday Inn, I stepped out for a morning stroll along Poppleton Street. It’s the kind of walk that feels like a tiny adventure — simple, quiet, yet full of small discoveries.

I wanted to walk along Poppleton Street again, to relive the memories it holds in the stillness of the morning. It was a stroll that began around nine thirty that morning.

Birmingham is said to be one of the most desirable places to live in Michigan. I used to walk around here often, admiring the many charming houses along the streets. The sense of peace and the harmony between the greenery and the homes are what make it even more beautiful.

Oh, I remember this house! It really feels as if I’ve slipped back in time. Even while I was far away in Japan, the world of Birmingham has stayed just as lovely as I remember.

This is the house Collie pointed out last evening when we were walking together, saying, “Look, a pink house over there.”  I had planned to come back on my own the next morning to take some photos of it at a slower pace.  

I find myself wondering what stories might be unfolding inside — it really sparks my imagination.

Just off Poppleton Street, I came across another beautiful scene like this. An elegant house, adorned with delicate flowers, stood gracefully behind the veil of rich greenery — such a charming sight.

In this way, the quiet residential streets of Birmingham always bring me a sense of peace and quiet wonder. For me, it’s not the well-known tourist spots that refresh my spirit, but these serene neighborhoods — where nature and everyday life blend together, and where I can see so many beautiful homes unlike any in Japan.

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.

Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Day One—Plus the Sweet Story Behind the Cinnamon Rolls

Discover the Iconic Cinnamon Roll That’s Delighting Guests Nationwide 

Hello!＾＾ Continuing my Michigan travel diary.

Today, it's the scene of my first breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham where I'm staying.

The Holiday Inn Express offers a free hot breakfast, and among the items, the warm and fresh cinnamon rolls are especially distinctive. Honestly, I was looking forward to the cinnamon rolls ever since I researched the hotel beforehand.

☆Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, MI☆

The coffee machine brews each cup fresh on the spot, so it's just right to bring additional food while the coffee is being made. There was yogurt available too, so I didn't have to buy it at Whole Foods💦  

I might secretly take the packaged Danish pastry to my room (because I might get too full from the other foods...)

♡Holiday Inn Express's signature hot & fresh Cinnabon Sweet Roll♡

The cinnamon roll I'd been longing for was absolutely delicious! Savoring delicious cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee makes for such a delightful experience in the morning away from my usual spot.

Here is a wonderful insight you might find surprising:

Holiday Inn Express serves Cinnabon Sweet Rolls as a signature part of their complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar. These rolls are made with Cinnabon's famous Makara cinnamon, brown sugar, cinnamon schmear, and topped with the brand's iconic cream cheese frosting. However, the version served at Holiday Inn Express is slightly adapted for the hotel setting: the rolls are smaller in size and have a milder sweetness compared to the original Cinnabon rolls sold in stores. This makes them a perfect breakfast item, offering the signature taste with a lighter touch suited for morning dining. This partnership allows guests to enjoy the beloved Cinnabon experience conveniently during their stay.

The coffee was served in a generous size, but I had another cup to enjoy with the lovely cinnamon roll. The breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham was very satisfying.

＋　＋　＋

Before heading out of my hotel room, I left a pillow tip for the housekeeper. I thought 1 dollar might be a little too small with prices going up, but since I am Japanese and not used to tipping culture, even 1 dollar felt like a tip to me.

To be continued...

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.

Perfect Soy Milk Find: First Day Shopping at Whole Foods Birmingham, MI

After having dinner at Birmingham Sushi Cafe, Collie suggested we stop by Whole Foods Market to pick up anything I might need.  

2100 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009, United States

Since I’ll be staying for six days at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham — Collie kindly booked the hotel I picked — he wanted to make sure I’d have something I like from Whole Foods Market.

As the hotel includes breakfast, I thought I wouldn't need much during my stay, but the first thing that came to mind was soy milk.

That said, just wandering around Whole Foods to see what products they have is fun in itself and feels like sightseeing♪♪♪

We browsed around, and here's what Collie bought for me😊: a fresh pack of berries, some organic chocolate I wanted to taste-test, low-sugar yogurt, and soy milk that's perfect for my taste!

The 1 QT (946 ml) size soy milk is just right for my six-day hotel stay. It’s organic and has no sugar added, exactly what I was looking for. I learned that the "365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET" label is Whole Foods Market's private brand, offering high-quality products at more affordable prices. That’s wonderful♡

After he walked me to my hotel room, Collie headed to his mother's house, where he's currently helping care for her. It felt a bit lonely watching him leave after spending the whole day together. Since he booked it for two people, I wondered if he'd join me sometimes? With that hopeful thought, I ended the first night of my stay.

*To be continued...*

Tiny Treats, Big Flavor: IKEA Harajuku’s Plant-Based Soft Serve

When you’re in Harajuku, even if you don’t have any particular plans, it’s hard to resist dropping by IKEA. And no matter how chilly the weather gets, it’s easy to feel tempted by their tiny soft serve. Believe it or not, this little treat is PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE!

It made its debut on October 19, 2023. Until then, IKEA served a regular milk-based soft serve, but after kicking off a plant-based project, the team spent nearly two years perfecting this new version before finally launching it. 

PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE at IKEA Harajuku

Instead of dairy, it’s made with soy milk. The soy milk used here has hardly any of that distinct bean aroma, and the balance between sweetness and a hint of salt is beautifully tuned. It’s amazing how creamy it tastes—hard to believe it’s soy-based!

You can find this PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE near the entrance on the first floor of IKEA Harajuku. It’s only 50 yen, which makes it even more delightful♡ The frozen CINNAMON BUN you see in the background of the photo is adorable too. You can easily grab both at the first-floor stand — the Swedish Bistro.  Feel like adding this to your list of Harajuku treats?