Mercer Brunch @ Roppongi : Back for Uni Omelette

And so I went back to Mercer Brunch as Miss K. wanted to try the Uni Omelette, which is only available at the Roppongi outlet. Since I love uni and omelette too, I thought why not? 

The Uni & Scallop Omelette with Uni Cream sauce (1600yen) is found under the Homemade Bread Brunch Section, together with Lobster & Fresh Tomato Omelette with Lobster Cream Sauce (1600 yen). Eventually, we ordered both as the omelette serving was considerably small. Similar to omurice, the omelette is soft, semi-runny on the inside but rather salty. So that's when the bread comes into the picture. Just like the French Toast, the bread rolls were excellently fluffy and delicious for mopping up the sauces. But I can imagine myself having them alone with the butter. 

Ok, I almost forgot that the main star is the omelette. Both Uni and Lobster scream indulgence and it is hard to pick one if you ask me again. The Lobster Omelette tastes like lobster bisque with subtle sweetness from the tomatoes while the Uni Omelette has a more robust umami, slightly briny flavor typical of sea urchin. 

So take your pick and you will unlikely be disappointed 

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Louange Tokyo: Membership-Only Cake Salon

2000 yen for a piece of cake?

Yes. If Chanel is the name for luxury bags, then Salon De Louange is the name for luxury cakes, at least in Japan.

I wasn't surprised to know that this cakes from this shop would be expensive since it's located in Roppongi. Think Roppongi Hills, lots of foreign expats, rich people living here.
Nevertheless I was still SHOCKED to know that one piece of cake could actually fetch over 2000 yen. That's a foie gras mousse cake which I have no interest in (neither do I have the ability to splurge)

I kept thinking why the cakes here are so expensive. Perhaps one reason is the manpower cost. There are not only two chefs but also 1 chocolatier and 1 advisor. Executive Chef Irishika Takashi used to work as a Chef Patissier at Michelin 3-star Robuchon au Dome while Chef Patissier Takuya Furuta used to work at Mandarin Oriental Hotel before leaving for France to train in Capelongue.

Chocolate Patissier Stephen Veux came to Japan as a staff of Pierre Herme and moved to direct Shiseido Parlour in 2003 before helming the role of chef Patissier at Decadence de Chocolat in 2008. He is now the Patissier director at Classic fine foods Japan. Last but not least, there's advisor Iwao Yoneyama who is also chef owner of a patissierie in Yokohama and has won international awards in the past.

I haven't heard their names before I came to Salon Louange, though they do sound like some big shots haha. Indeed, the entremets and macarons looked highly artistic and colorful. Dine-in is allowed at the salon area where wines are served as well but it is only open to VIP members. Erm??? VIP? Who?

I nearly wanted to walk away empty handed but since I've walked more than 20min from Roppongi station, I decided to give the "cheapest" item a try just to see whether it justified the price tag. And was it worth it? Presentation wise, some components are highly sophisticated and demanding on techniques. But tastewise, they are so normal and did not have any wow factor. Well, it is slightly better than Ungrain but it is not a place worth visiting in Tokyo.  

Louange Tokyo

Opening hours for 2017 2/22 - 2017 3/1411:00 - 15:00
16:00 - 19:00
Monday - Saturday
11:00 - 23:00 (l.o.)22:30
sunday & holiday
11:00 - 21:00 (l.o.)20:30

the parkhouse nishi-azabu residence 1f 4-5-10 nishi-azabu minatoku tokyo, 106-0031

http://www.louange-tokyo.com/salon/index.html

Cube Rose 800 yen

Rose fromage, berries gelee, lychee mousse, pistachio biscuit, almond biscuit coated with wild rose jam

Verrine Marjolaine (800 yen)

Kirsh chantily, Coffee ganache, Hazelnut Praline Cream, Cognac

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Mercer Brunch @ Ginza Terrace : The Famous Brioche French Toast and Brunch

Mercer Brunch is one of the longest standing western brunch spots that is famous for that French Toast. Like it or not, you can't escape from the toasts because every brunch dish is served with French toasts. Each one from Sets A-J on the one-page brunch menu features a savoury main course such as grilled chicken, sirloin steak, tomato stew etc., alongside 2 pieces of French toasts-plain without honey or whipped cream. 

I did feel the pinch when I realize that each set costs 1700 yen. However, we felt convinced by the quality as the food, especially the French toast definitely lived up to the hype and reputation as one of the to-go brunch spots in the city. 

The toasts were crispy-tanned and square, soft pillowy but not to the extent of being too custardy inside. It has some light hints of sweetness but I still prefer it if they can serve it with honey and whip cream. How can a French Toast be called a French Toast without honey??? Do note that they don't give you honey and cream unless you open your mouth to ask. Honey is free but cream costs 300 yen.

The Baked Salmon & Spinach Gratin answered the calls of our growling bellies with its generous chunks of salmon swimming in the creamy milk bath. I wished there was more spinach but I liked the lightly crisp brown crust that added texture to the dish. And that's when the brioche toast comes in handy to mop up the sauce. 
Meanwhile, the scrambled omelette took us by surprise with its uniformly golden-orange hue and soft on the verge texture. Minimally seasoned to complement the marinated smoked salmon of exceedingly fresh quality. 

This Ginza outlet is pretty crowded on weekends and holidays so Roppongi outlet may be a better choice to avoid long queues. Dinner menu starts from 5pm. 

Mercer Brunch @ Ginza Terrace
東京都中央区銀座1-8-19 キラリトギンザ 4F
Chuo-ku Ginza 1-8-19, Kirarito Ginza 4F
LUNCH 10:00～17:00 (LO 16：30)
DINNER 17:00～23:00 (LO 22：00)　
Access: 1 min walk from Ginza station / 3min walk from Yurakucho Station/ 1 min walk from Ginza Ichome station / 5 min walk from Higashi-Ginza station / 3-min walk from Kyobashi station
http://www.merceroffice.com

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