{"id":1709,"date":"2012-02-20T22:19:04","date_gmt":"2012-02-20T13:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/?p=1709"},"modified":"2012-02-20T22:22:55","modified_gmt":"2012-02-20T13:22:55","slug":"restaurant-review-satisfying-a-sweet-tooth-in-sannomiya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/2012\/02\/restaurant-review-satisfying-a-sweet-tooth-in-sannomiya\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant Review: Satisfying a Sweet Tooth in Sannomiya"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Ever feel like you need a mini vacation from Japan? Or perhaps have the need to grab some dessert after happy hour at The Hub? Well just a few steps away from The Hub exists a gateway to another land, a cake shop in the French countryside. With its comfy atmosphere, adorable light wooden d\u00c3\u00a9cor, French named cakes and painted walls and awnings to look like the outside of a countryside cottage, and one might as well be wandering through the back roads of Paris.<\/p>\n

Walking into \u00c3\u00a0 la campagne (\u00e3\u201a\u00a2\u00e3\u0192\u00a9\u00e3\u201a\u00ab\u00e3\u0192\u00b3\u00e3\u0192\u2018\u00e3\u0192\u00bc\u00e3\u0192\u2039\u00e3\u0192\u00a5) on a Wednesday night with a friend resulted in not only a sweet dessert treat, but an overall sense of warmth and delight in the cozy caf\u00c3\u00a9, whose width was no wider than my apartment. A small entryway lined with breads and teas for sale led to a neat glass display filled with at least 15 cakes, tarts, and other desserts of all shapes, colors, and toppings. The selection of desserts ranged from fruit and chocolate tartes and gateaux(cakes) to tiramisu, fromage blancs and cr\u00c3\u00a8me caramels. The available desserts appear to rotate in availability. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry if the French names appear to add another level of stress to your restaurant excursions (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s difficult enough to read a menu in katakana, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re telling me to learn French too?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d)\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhonestly, just getting a good look at the display case should be enough for you to know what you would like.<\/p>\n

\"\"A slice of tarte aux chocolat et framboise (chocolate tarte with raspberry fruit brandy) and a slice of fraise d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122amour (literally, strawberries of love) were each 625 yen. A hot cappuccino and a slice of kiwi tart sets you back 1105 yen, so this isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t your discount cake shop. Still, the price is comparable to the fancy cake stalls in department stores, and the desserts I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had at \u00c3\u00a0 la campagne have left me feeling deliciously satisfied and excited for the chance to try more.<\/p>\n

The tarte aux chocolat et framboise was a decadent treat with tastes of dark chocolate, espresso, and fruity raspberry. Atop a crumbly cookie crust, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the perfect indulgence for if you simply need some chocolate and need some NOW. The fraise d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122amour was a big surprise for me. Appearing a simple strawberry shortcake, it actually had a creamy whipped layer with chocolate pieces that added crunch and more chocolate indulgence. Strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6a well-rehearsed combination, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a classic because it works.<\/p>\n

\"\"But my favorite of the desserts that I have tried would definitely have to be the kiwi tarte. Topped with a layer of alternating green and yellow-colored kiwi slices (I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even know kiwis could be yellow and still be sweet!), the creamy filling, and graham cracker crust was the ultimate treat to me. Usually I am wary of kiwi fruit in anything because some part of the fruit is always too sour or the texture is too tough. But this time, all of the slices were sweet and fit perfectly with the creaminess of the filling. Featured prominently in their menu, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m guessing it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only a seasonal treat that won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be around for long.<\/p>\n

More than simply another cake shop, \u00c3\u00a0 la campagne (\u00e3\u201a\u00a2\u00e3\u0192\u00a9\u00e3\u201a\u00ab\u00e3\u0192\u00b3\u00e3\u0192\u2018\u00e3\u0192\u00bc\u00e3\u0192\u2039\u00e3\u0192\u00a5) provides a charming setting for a first date, getting dessert with a friend, or winding down alone after a long week at work. The bustle of people coming in and out was just enough to keep the shop feeling lively, but wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t disrupt a casual date. And it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s open late enough for you to swing by before catching last train. So next time you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in Sannomiya and have a craving for fruit, chocolate, cake, or all three, stop by \u00c3\u00a0 la campagne (\u00e3\u201a\u00a2\u00e3\u0192\u00a9\u00e3\u201a\u00ab\u00e3\u0192\u00b3\u00e3\u0192\u2018\u00e3\u0192\u00bc\u00e3\u0192\u2039\u00e3\u0192\u00a5) and take out a slice for the ride home. In fact, I suggest you grab two, because once you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had a taste of \u00c3\u00a0 la campagne (especially of their fruit tarts), you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to wait until you get off the train.<\/p>\n

\u00c3\u00a0 la campagne (\u00e3\u201a\u00a2\u00e3\u0192\u00a9\u00e3\u201a\u00ab\u00e3\u0192\u00b3\u00e3\u0192\u2018\u00e3\u0192\u00bc\u00e3\u0192\u2039\u00e3\u0192\u00a5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Locations: <\/strong>4 locations in Hyogo. Reviewed location at Moonlight Bill Building (1F-Patisserie, 2F-Caf\u00c3\u00a9) 1-10-6, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Kitanagasa-dori. 2 minute walk west of Tits Park, right next to The Hub.<\/p>\n

Contact Info:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.alacampagne.jp\/index.html<\/a> (Japanese only), 078-322-0130<\/p>\n

Hours:<\/strong> 11:30-23:00<\/p>\n

Price: <\/strong>average 1100yen ($$)<\/p>\n

Cuisine:<\/strong> French-style patisserie<\/p>\n

English friendly?<\/strong> The patisserie menu is in both English and Japanese. The desserts have French names and displayed prominently in a glass case.<\/p>\n