Baked sweets from PARLA, a souvenir for adults found at Tokyo Station

I always want to be a person who is good at choosing souvenirs.

Souvenirs are a difficult thing to come up with. It is not just a matter of what you like to give, but also of whether it is sweet or salty, whether it is for adults or children…there is no end to the number of things you can think of. It is often said that “vanishing items are good,” but if they are easily damaged, they may cause trouble if you can’t have them. Moreover, it is not a good idea to give a gift that you don’t really like.

With these thoughts running through my mind as I walked through the underground of Tokyo Station, I stopped in front of a small store. It had such an unobtrusive presence that if I had been looking away, I would have passed by it without noticing.

The store is PÄRLA, known for its crepes for adults. I had known about the store for some time, but it was the baked goods lined up in the store that caught my eye.

Do you ever get curious about “hidden gems” that aren’t the main attraction at a particular restaurant?　I do. Like a buckwheat noodle shop that serves delicious curry. Such unexpected discoveries move my heart.

While I was eyeing them, I bought a few and shared them with everyone at a lunch meeting the next day.

Five types of cakes were purchased: a PÄRLA pound cake, a chocolate and fig cake, a spice and fruit cake, a PÄRLA financier, and a chocolate financier.

People who tried the financiers commented, “It has a sophisticated flavor!”

The pound cake seems to have a little bit of alcohol in it, so it is best to chill it and enjoy it a little at a time.

The spice and fruit cake tastes like the Stollen we eat at Christmas, “It tastes like Christmas!” said one person.

I took the chocolate and fig cake home and chilled it in the fridge and found it very satisfying with its rich chocolate flavor and dense, terrine-like texture.

They are all simple but unique, and the paper bags with the store’s logo are stylish. They are perfect for small thank yous and gifts.

What is even more distinctive is that it is designed to be paired with alcoholic beverages. It will be enjoyed not only with coffee and tea, but also with wine and whiskey. It has an atmosphere suitable for an adult souvenir.

The good thing about baked goods is that they last for a relatively long time, so you can save them to enjoy later or share them with family and friends.

Of course, since this is essentially a crepe shop, I would love to try the crepes next time. Some of the crepes seem to be only available for a limited time, so you will want to check them out seasonally.

I had intended to “pick out a souvenir,” but I unexpectedly found my next pleasure.