Henri Charpentier – Ginza, Japan

Hello all! and I am back from Japan! Needless to say I had a fabulous time, lots of eating, lots of sightseeing, lots of socialising, and did I mention eating? Food are everywhere at every corner no matter where you go, from sidewalk food stalls, to standing-up ramen shops, to a full course traditional Kaiseki fine dining. Despite the poor currency exchange rate at the moment, so long you know where to go, you always can find good food at reasonable prices.

I thought I will keep my sugar level high up since the last post, and continued my sugar consumption at Henri Charpentier in Ginza. It has been a “MUST” on my to-do list since I first saw those yummy delicious desserts photos my friend K took during her trip last year. So with a little research on internet to pinpoint the exact location of the restaurant and here I went.

The restaurant is easy enough to find, so long you come out from the correct subway exit at Ginza. Once we turned around the corner, I noticed a luminescent red door from miles away, and I knew that is it! That’s where I should be heading to. When we arrived at the front entrance, there is a group of elderly Japanese ladies looking at the menu and about to step inside. So we followed with glee…

The entrance hall is brightly lit, glass cabinets at one corner with nothing but yummy over-the-top decorative desserts. A chef behind a glass room at the back is busy whisking up more desserts for the customers tonight. The waitress behind the counter politely greeted us and showed us the staircase that leads to the restaurant one floor below.

I was so excited while walking down those steps like a kid in a lolly shop, the mood and interior downstair are totally the opposite comparing to what is like upstair. The restaurant is dimly lit with a huge victorian painting on the wall. “A table for two”, I said, and the waiter led us to a table in the middle of the restaurant and handed over the menu.

Only wish I could order all the desserts on the menu, they all look sooooooo delicious! I do have to control myself and limit on my order so that I don’t blow my budget, the desserts cost from 640yen – 840yen (AUD$12 – AUD $15). So many desserts to choose from, but we decided to go with the seasonal desserts and ordered four from the Paris collection no.18 – the Autumn 2008/9 series and share. We’ve chosen – Camélia, Tourbillon, Classis, and Harmonie.

“Sorry, the Tourbillon is sold out,” said the waitress. “Noooooooo…………..!” I sighed, Tourbillon is the one that I was dying to try! What a shame that it is unavailable, so we decided to replace it with Mont Blanc d’or from the regular dessert menu instead. The waitress walked away with our order while another pushing a trolley out, ready to make Henri Charpentier’s famous flaming dessert ‘Crepes Suzette‘ at the next table.

Minutes later, the Camélia, and the Mont Blanc d’or came first. I soon had my camera out and snapping away, but I felt there are so many eager eyes around looking at me, wondering what I was doing. Especially the waitresses, they all look like bodyguards with wires hooked up to their right ears, monitoring your every single moves, felt bit uncomfortable.

The Camélia has strawberry scented cream mousse outside to seal the subtle aromatic coconut foam and strawberry anise scented ganache inside. I can already smell the sweet scent of strawberry when it was brought to our table, without even tasting it. It is extremely soft and aromatic. At first I wasn’t sure about the pinkish outlook, as I tend to go for desserts with rich dark brown chocolate color. I was wrong, and this is definitely a keeper, one of my favorites.

The Mont Blanc d’or is a classic, which is chestnut cream outside and filled with macadamia compote inside. Have to admit I am not a big chestnut fan, the coarse texture just not my cup of tea. But the little gold leaf on top definitely makes it looks a million dollar!

The waitress definitely are spying on us! Once we finished our desserts, the plates were cleaned swiftly and the next round of desserts are on our table immediately! Talking about efficiency!

Next round is the Classis and Harmonie.

Oh my god! Just look at the Classis, is truly a work of art! The sourness of the redcurrant foam mousse really gives the palate a kick and then slowly mellow down with the sweetness of the chocolate ganache base. Presentation and taste wise, I am not complaining. This is truly a winner.

The Harmonie, in yellow colour, you’ve guessed it right, it is filled with dates compote and lemon mousse inside. Needless to say the acidity of the lemon mousse harmonise so well with the sweetness of the dates compote. It is a light dessert comparing to the others, can easily be everyone’s favorite.

You know sometimes when you have too much desserts, everything will just taste sweet but nothing else? What amazes me is all the desserts we’ve tried at Henri Charpentier have their own characteristic and distinctive taste and flavour. It is like there are so many surprises hidden inside ready to be discovered.

After four desserts, we were happy, contented, and feel rather embarassing to order that many among just the two of us. While we paying the cheque, I asked the waitress whether the other customers do order that many desserts like we did and surprisingly she said yes. Phew, I don’t feel so bad after hearing that.

Before leaving the place, we had one last quick tour around the glass cabinets upstair, admiring and drooling over more desserts we are yet to try. I guess it is a good excuse for us to come back again next time when we are in Japan.

If you want to live a life like Marie Antoinette, this is the place you don’t want to miss!

Henri Charpentier, Ginza
Address: 2-8-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku
tel: 03-3562-2721
Station: Ginza-Itchome (metro exit 9), Ginza (metro exit A13)

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