Hitokuchiya

Pudding or a seasonal parfait? At Hitokuchiya, choosing between the sweets is part of the pleasure. The purin à la mode pairs homemade custard pudding with two kinds of ice cream, seasonal fruit and homemade cake. One diner who chose it said they enjoyed the pudding, cheesecake and ice cream separately. It suits a day for sampling a little of several treats, or one when a particular dessert is the reason to stop by.

The simple custard pudding is a house staple, presented in an old-fashioned style. The cheesecake is a rich dessert made with 4 kinds of cheese; one guest found it just right alongside a café au lait. Seasonal cakes, muffins and parfaits change in flavour, so asking the owner what is available that day is part of the choice.

For a meal, there is a weekly plate lunch or a medium-spiced dry curry slowly simmered with domestic mixed ground meat and spices. A visitor also noted enjoying seasonal vegetables and baguette with the lunch plate. The focaccia sandwich, filled with ham, cheese, tomato and lettuce, makes a lighter option, with a hint of olive oil.

Coffee options include a hand-dripped blend made with dark-roasted beans and a monthly special single-origin coffee. During the evening café hours, the drinks range from homemade ginger ale blended with spices to cocktails such as the London buck, made with gin and the ginger ale. There are options both with and without alcohol. It could be a quiet solo stop for cake and coffee, or a longer meal stretching from lunch to dessert.