I confess, I never did have the aromatic, fresh-brewed coffee at Kyoto's new and beautifully architected cafe, TIME DOU (What Time is it?) built on the site of a former clock shop.
It was the end of September, and temperatures and humidity were high on the day I discovered this restorative place located on Karasuma Dori, just above Marutamachi facing the old Emperor's Palace.
Tired, thirsty, and craving a dessert, I ordered their hojicha pudding, a light-weight not-too-sweet confection I fell in love with, and glass of iced hojicha (roasted green tea). The slightly smokey taste of this tea slakes thirst and refreshes the body--without the jolt of caffeine--was just right.
It was the end of September, and temperatures and humidity were high on the day I discovered this restorative place located on Karasuma Dori, just above Marutamachi facing the old Emperor's Palace.
Tired, thirsty, and craving a dessert, I ordered their hojicha pudding, a light-weight not-too-sweet confection I fell in love with, and glass of iced hojicha (roasted green tea). The slightly smokey taste of this tea slakes thirst and refreshes the body--without the jolt of caffeine--was just right.
| Now, I could sit back and fully enjoy the mellow environment, and experience the sincerely caring and attentive service provided by Ryu Kamimura, manager and chef, and Mei Okumura, assistant to Ryu and wait-staff this first day. I returned again and again, savoring a grilled locally grown vegetables pasta with tomato sauce, open-faced sandwiches featuring grilled veggies or salmon, several more glasses of iced hoji cha, their fresh fruit flavored water, and that addicting hojicha pudding which is served with a small glass of brown sugar syrup. Mostly, though, I was imbibing the welcoming energy Ryu and Mei created. |  |
  HOJI CHA PUDDING, ICED HOJI CHA, BROWN SUGAR SYRUP Featured in Good Design Cafe publication, TIME DOU was located near my hotel, THE PALACE-SIDE, so it was very convenient to stop in afternoons after being out and about, or to have a leisurely lunch, or evening dessert. They offer a wi-fi connection, which was appreciated. The light-colored wood, glass partitions, open kitchen, use of concrete punctuated by some ancient timbers (probably from the clock shop it replaced?) comfortably filled the eye. The people who ventured in all seemed to enjoy themselves. Not surprising that I became a "regular". I think you will, too! |  PASTA: LIGHTLY GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH A HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE  OPEN-FACE SALMON SANDWICH   SWEET SURPRISE FAREWELL GIFT: A PUMPKIN CREAM-FILLED MILLEFEUILLE PASTRY WITH A LOVING MESSAGE |
