Enjoy a Blue Wonderland Buffet at Alice in an Old Castle, Ikebukuro

03.November.2019 | FOOD

Fantasy restaurant Alice in an Old Castle, Ikebukuro will be serving up an all-you-can-eat buffet menu consisting of approximately 30 varieties of sweet treats and light bites. The beautiful Blue snow collection will be served from November to December.

 

The Playing Cards and other Alice in Wonderland-themed motifs can be seen decorating the grand buffet table. There is a 30-minute opportunity for all keen Instagrammers to get photos of the buffet table before the eating commences.

From the snow icing biscuits to the blue roses, the Blue snow collection theme runs through the entire buffet. The warm grape juice and melted cheese croque monsieur will quickly warm your winter-weathered body.

Among the snowy hills dusted in intricate and icy snowflakes comes the sweet and aromatic scent of the caramelised purin cake. The mildly sweet flavour of the milk and eggs is accented with a tangy lemon flavour.

Stollen fruit bread is traditionally served at Christmas in Germany and has become an unmissable part of the perfect Christmas celebration. The bread is moist and heavy and kneaded with dried fruits as it needs to be preserved to last the entire Christmas season. This traditional bread is packed with the flavours of Christmas. A slice of this is the perfect dessert for those who don’t have much of a sweet tooth. 

The Christmas tree cake at the centre of the buffet will immediately catch your eye. Fresh and juicy strawberries, silver pearls and white rice dumplings decorate the tree. You will not be able to resist posting this on your Instagram. Cut a slice to reveal the chocolate sponge cake underneath.

The ears of the White Rabbit can be seen poking out of this tart. Once you take a bite, the sweet flavours will melt in your mouth. The tart is baked to enhance the banana flavour. Brown sugar is added for a rich sweetness that is not overpowering, creating a brand new flavour experience. You will be helping yourself to another slice before you even know it.

There is more to the buffet than just desserts, however. There is a full savoury meal menu, too. From a Light Pink Spicy Curry to a pasta dish made with varying ingredients of the season and a tartine coloured with a wide range of seasonal vegetables, the meals and meal sizes will leave you fully satisfied. If you want to take a break from the sweet treats, a fulfilling savoury meal would be a good shout.

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  • Omotesando Hills Christmas 2019: Christmas Chocolate Parfait & Other Delicious Desserts

    30.October.2019 | FOOD / SPOT

    The Omotesando Hills shopping complex recently began rolling out information for its Christmas celebrations for 2019. Omotesando Hills Christmas 2019 is set to run from November 13 to December 25.   Enchanting illuminations will adorn the main building and its atrium, taking on the theme "Christmastime seduced by water magic." Restaurants and eateries will also serve up some limited-time goodies for "CHRISTMAS SWEETS with CHOCOLATE." Christmas shoppers can also look forward to getting their hands on a range of festive items amongst other things.   CHRISTMAS SWEETS with CHOCOLATE 10 restaurants throughout Omotesando Hills will serve up chocolatey Christmas-themed desserts from November 13 to December 25. There's a lot to look out for, including the strawberry-packed parfait, a parfait made with noble rot wine jelly, a vegan tiramisu and more. Let's take a look at a select few of these mouth-watering delights.

    Parfait do Noel - ¥1,870 (Tax Included) @ HUGO & VICTOR (Main Building Floor 1F)

    This Christmas parfait is lavish with fresh strawberries and adorned with tempting dark chocolate ice cream and chocolate flavoured macaron. It's also layered with a spicy crumble, caramel sauce, and smooth chantilly cream. Your taste buds will be treated to each distinct flavour and texture as you spoon your way through the dessert.   Serving: 11:00-20:30 (Until 19:30 on Sundays)

    Noble Rot Wine Parfait - ¥1,980 @ Wine Shop Enoteco & Bar  (Main Building Floor 3F) *15 served per day

    Noble rot wine has a distinct rich sweetness like that of honey. This jelly used in this parfait is made with noble rot wine from intenrnationally revered winery Baron Philippe de Rothschild and topped with chocolate ice cream and orange. Pour over the rest of the wine to complete this sophisticated dessert.   Serving: 11:00-21:30 (Until 20:30 on Sundays) *Contains alcohol

    Vegan Tiramisu Chocolate Parfait - ¥1,518 (Tax Included) @ Cosme Kitchen Adaptation (Main Building Floor B2F)

    Vegan food has not entered the mainstream in Japan yet but more and more places are catching on. This mascarpone-flavoured vegan tiramisu is made with tofu and nuts. It has a refreshing taste and is sure to fill you up with its mix of tofu gateau chocolate, organic and domestic blueberries, cacao nibs, and organic coffee.   Serving: 11:00-22:00 (Until 21:00 on Sundays) *Contains alcohol but can be ordered without alcohol

    Raw Chocolate & Wine Marriage - ¥1,100 (Tax Included) @ bar à vin PARTAGER (Main Building Floor 3F) *15 served per day

    Another one for the adults is this sweet made with rich raw chocolate and red wine, served together with with a fruity wine in a glass. Enjoy the bitterness of the chocolate together with the full-bodied notes of the wine.   Serving: 11:00-22:00 (Until 21:00 on Sundays) *Contains alcohol     Omotesando Hills Limited-Edition Items 20 stores throughout Omotesando Hills will sell holiday season-inspired items between November 13 and December 25, from bags and purses in Christmas colours to cosmetics and fragrances. Here's a small peek at what's to come. Everything will be limited-edition and available while supplies last.

    Bag - ¥53,900 (Tax Included), Wallets - ¥31,900 Each (Tax Included) @ EPOCA UOMO PRIMA (Main Building Floor 2F)

    Adorned in Christmas colours are this bag made from soft sheep leather from Turkey and three fold purse. The inside of the bag is made with synthetic leather, and the bag itself is both light and holds plenty.

    Millefiori Christmas Gift - ¥12,650 (Tax Included) @ Millefiori (Main Building Floor B2F)

    This gorgeous kit is decorated with bright-red preserved flowers and contains high-quality room fragrances from ZONA. The scents include the refreshing "Oxygen" with citrus notes and the "Musk Flower" with elegant floral notes. These are limited in stock with only 5 available for each.   There are countless other sweets and items to get your hands on at Omotesando Hills this Christmas season, so if you're in Tokyo, don't miss out.
  • Tokyo Disney Resort® Kicks Off Christmas Celebrations on November 8

    28.October.2019 | FOOD / SPOT

    Another year heralds another heart-warming Christmas celebration at Tokyo Disney Resort®. From November 8 to December 25, Tokyo Disneyland will be filled with the fantastical magic of the holiday season and Tokyo DisneySea® will filled with gorgeous lights.    A special menu will be released on November 1 ahead of the official celebration period to whet our appetites. 

    Special Set: ¥2,900

    Special Set: ¥2,900, available at Ristorante di Canaletto Tokyo DisneySea 

    Special Set: ¥1,980

    Available at : Disnseyland The Plaza Inn Restaurant

    If you are looking to go full on festive spirit mode then you absolutely must feast on the Christmas-limited special set, which is full of the luxurious flavours of Christmas and a healthy sprinkle of Christmas spirit. How about some luxurious Sea Urchin Spaghetti or a Jack Skellington-themed Hamburger Set? Make sure to check out this limited period Christmas menu. 

    Apple and Cinnamon Hot Drink: ¥400 per cup

    Available at: Tokyo DisneySea (Gondolier Snacks, etc), Tokyo DisneySea (Boiler Room Bites, etc)

    Christmas Cake: ¥1,480

    Available at: Tokyo DisneySea (Horizon Bay Restaurant), Tokyo Disneyland (Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall)

    For those of you who are prioritising the attractions and shows, the small takeout meals are best for you. Warm up your body with a hot drink or buy a cake to share with your friends. There are many meals and drinks perfect to satisfy your Christmassy cravings. 

    Fried Chicken Set: ¥1,180, Salty Lychee Bubble Tea: ¥700

    * Taste of Christmas menu sold at: Tokyo DisneySea (Dockside Diner)

    Tokyo DisneySea will be bringing back its Taste of Christmas event that was held last year which will see the return of Tokyo Disney Resort's alcoholic beverages and snacks you can devour with just one hand. This is the perfect place to indulge on Japan's traditional Christmas food: fried chicken. Munch on your fried chicken along with a very merry alcoholic lychee bubble tea. Enjoy the flavor of spice wrapped in the gentle sweet flavour of your drink.  Don't miss out on this special Disney menu this Christmas.    *The images in this article are representations. ©Disney
  • Starbucks Japan Reveals Christmas Strawberry Cake Frappuccino

    28.October.2019 | FOOD

    The holiday season at Starbucks in Japan is set to begin on November 1 when it will begin rolling out new drinks and products celebrating those special moments during Christmas, such as when making a toast at a party, or switching on the Christmas lights.

    Merry Strawberry Cake Frappuccino - Tall ¥590 (Tall size only)

    The first of the Starbucks holiday season beverages is the Merry Strawberry Cake Frappuccino. This drink is layered beautifully and temptingly like a cake in a cup, containing a strawberry sauce made from fresh strawberry pieces, a sponge cake crumble made with thinly crushed shortbread and sponge cake, and topped with whipped cream and freeze-dried strawberries.

    Merry Strawberry Cake Milk - Short ¥450/Tall ¥490/Grande ¥530/Venti® ¥570

    There's also a hot version, filled the same sweet and sour strawberry sauce and delicious sponge cake that melt together deliciously with the milk. This one's a no-coffee beverage made with lots of steamed milk. One sip will make your eyes widen at how fruity the strawberries are, as well as the richness of the fluffy whipped cream. It's like Christmas cake and hot milk in your mouth at the same time.   These two beverages are just the first release of drinks to come in Starbucks Japan's holiday season beverage line. Feel the Christmas spirit and warm yourself up this autumn and winter by stopping by Starbucks.

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