* epicurean discovery

Tertre du Chocolat

Cafe du Ciel is on the 51F of the JR Central Towers complex part of Nagoya Station. The Central Towers has two restaurant floors - on the 12th and 13th.  From the 13th floor, you can access the elevator that takes you up to the 51F where the Panorama Lounge and three other restaurants, one of which is a French restaurant, are situated.

There are daily lunch and afternoon tea sets. As for dinner, I think they serve a few varieties of pasta from their regular menu. Then again, it’s a cafe and people would rather have their dinner elsewhere.

Coaster ^

^ Corn Potage

Baked Salmon & Asparagus Doria, Lunch Set

Darjeeling Tea

(choice of drink included in set lunch)

* All for 1,575 yen *

My only complaint was that my waitress didn’t bring my Darjeeling Tea in time after I finished my meal as they do in every restaurant and cafe regardless of the place, upscale or everyday.  Even though it was already 2PM and afternoon tea was just starting, how about the customers already there who are the priority as we have been waiting there already before the new ones. I almost missed my train to return to work! Once she brought it over,  I had to gulf down the STILL scalding tea after waiting and inquiring about it for 20 minutes after my meal while she kept telling me to wait shortly it’ll be out in a mintue. Well that 1 minute was 10 minutes before I had to jump into 2 elevators to reach the 1st floor from the 51st and then rush to the station adjacent and fly down the stairs to hop onto the limited express.

Maybe I’m already used to service here being top-notch every where I go. I wonder if I’ll go nuts waiting when I’m back home?

Regardless of that unsatisfactory moment, here’s the seating area adjacent to mine but the same - there are also window seats overlooking the Nagoya Station area. Wonderful view.  Even better at nighttime.

This sleek and elegant Belgian cafe has mature as it is posh. There are only 4 locations in Japan - 2 in Tokyo, 1 in Haneda Airport, and the last in Nagoya. Lucky for me!

This chocolatier is well-known in Europe, especially in Belgium where it originated from, and around the world. There’s only 1 location in NYC. Again, lucky for me when I return home!

The shop has its own small and cozy cafe with dim lights and aroma of fresh coffee and tea brewing. It’s located in the B1F of the Midland Square building conveniently a 10-minute walk from my apartment.

I was able to stop by before I saw “The Dark Knight” since I went on a weekday afternoon in July (off-day from work), and thank goodness there was no 50m line outside as there usually is on weekends.

I decided on a Cake set with some strong black coffee. Let me tell you that the cake was sure delight! The richness of the flavor and the perfect chewiness of the Gateau Chocolat can be expressed best after trying it for yourself.  The cake itself is sweet and bitter, but it balances out just right.

If I remember correctly, for this set, it was 1,470 yen that being the least expensive on the menu. It might seem pricey but it was worth it! They also sell and serve their chocolates and other treats t drink with champagne and wine of your choice.

Though I wouldn’t recommend getting yourself inebriated or being pleasantly buzzed midday during your lunch break, but by all means, try it out at another appropriate time. I have yet to try their chocolates, but I’m sure they’re as delicious as their cake!

My apologies for the long overdue update! I’ve tried lots of cafes and restaurant since then. Sorry if I don’t list them chronologically!

I finally found the Cassina in Nagoya!

It’s smaller than the one in Osaka - at least the cafe part of it - but the store itself is lovely and very modern.

The layout is different from the Osaka store, but nonetheless it has the same structured environment and cozy, home feeling.

Fresh Salmon Salad with Penne ^

Set comes with cold soup, small salad, and dessert of the day

^ Cappuccino Cocoa & Raspberry Yogurt Jelly

* all for 1,000 yen + 300 yen for 1/2 price of 800 yen coffee/tea! *

I guess you could say it was Sunday brunch since I did go on a Sunday. The place was actually closer than I thought and I wondered how could I have missed it when it’s literally in the area I often walk around and pass by?!

This has become one of my favorite places to kick back and relax. You could too since there are two comfy, soft leather couches inside where you can lay down if you wanted to and have a bite to eat.

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Ideal for — Sunday brunch/tea time,  read & relax

My rating — 73/100, food; 80/100, coffees & desserts