cafe&bar 日晴堂 — Restaurant in Sapporo

A rainy Saturday night in Sapporo, and we’re trying to find hidden okonomiyaki restaurants with good reviews. After being turned away from another in a line of full restaurants we returned to this cute little place we’d passed and decided to give it a go. Inside was so lovely and cozy, with floral decorations hanging from the ceiling and small groups chatting over sweets and savory dinners alike. Two friendly wait staff were tending to everyone’s needs. I was about to order conservatively, along the lines of one of their curries, when a certain order took my eye. It was described like a pizza, but in a bowl. Maybe a deep-dish pizza? But this one looked different. Summoning a courage and defiance against over-eating I bravely ordered this mystery dish, wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew. When I saw it heading my way I thought “oh no, I’m done for” as this giant dish got nearer and nearer. It landed in front of me, and before I could look the lovely waitress in the eye to tell her that I was in fact a giant man baby who could not possibly eat this whole meal, she grabbed my knife and fork, punctured the surprisingly hard roof of the pizza, and cut it in 6, deflating the morsel like a circus big tent. It was hollow, with a cheese and filling base that had been cooking under the deliciously doughy roof, which I learnt, you invert to use as a base. What a meal. I overcame fears, had a tasty treat, and learned a lot about myself, all because we couldn’t get in to a few full izakayas. Couldn’t recommend this...

I had a three-item lunch set that included the curry of the day, crepe and a pudding.

The chicken curry was exceptional. The chicken was shredded and cooked with fragrant spices and rich flavor. It was slightly spicy but it was still good for someone like me who isn’t fond of overly spicy food.

The salted caramel crepe was heavenly—possibly the best crepe I’ve ever had. It has a rich buttery flavor, and crispy yet soft texture making every bite delightful.

The pudding was equally delicious, with a smooth texture and a rich egg flavor complemented by the freshness of the cream.

I will definitely return on my next...

Cool and cozy cafe with drinks fridge to show case wines and craft beer.

We went there for desserts, but will come back next time to try savory dishes.

Caramel custard was decadent, rich with a strong burnt note. I could do with a tad bit more sweet and lesser burnt notes.

Maple butter crepes, the crepe is thin, soft at the center and slightly crispy around the edge. This comes with melted maple butter. Butter and maple syrup got an amazing flavor but the fat and syrup is separated. I’m not too sure if it was intentional.

Overall, a great spot...