Though Japanese gals are famous for their teeny weensy figures, when it comes to cakes and
pies, they apparently have a totally different stomach in which to store them. Where does
it all go? You see them go back for thirds and fourths at all-you-can-eat places and pile
their plates with cheese pie, choux a la creme, chocolate surprise and loads of other
goodies. For those of you who need to satisfy your sugar craving, these places are perfect
to discover whether you have that extra stomach as well. Julia Peterson
Cafe Palermo
This little cafe located on the fifth floor of the Metropolitan Plaza in Ikebukuro offers
six to eight different cakes you can choose from, along with fruits, puddings, custard and
even sandwiches with bottomless cups of tea, coffee or oolong tea. The portions are small
so you can try all of them without feeling too bad.
Open 11am-8:30pm Mon-Fri, 11am-8pm Sat/Sun/holidays (all-you-can-eat time 2:30-5:30pm
daily). 1-11-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Metropolitan Plaza 5F, Toshima-ku (03-5954-8240). Nearest
stn: Ikebukuro, Metropolitan exit.
Cheesecake Factory
Finally - a restaurant specializing in cheesecake, albeit of the Japanese variety. Take
your pick from over twenty different scrumptious cakes starting with caramel, orange
mousse, passion fruit fromage, and so on. The pieces are small so you can try
them all but watch out - if you leave too much on your plate, they' charge you for it!
Open 11am-9pm (must be seated by 8pm) Tue-Sun (all-you-can-eat time 11am-9pm, 90 min time
limit; JY700 every extra 30 mins). General JY1800, students JY1600, couples JY3000.
1-40-18 Shimouma, Setagaya-ku (03-5433-7070). Nearest stn: Sangenjaya.
Spezie
For three hours every day this southern Italian restaurant opens its doors to the sugar
craving OLs who roam Ginza. For JY980, it's really worth it. Choices included custard
pudding, apricot tart, grapefruit mousse, coffee jelly, tropical fruits, classic chocolat
cake and so on. Add a drink of your choice (coffee, tea, orange juice, grapefruit juice,
oolong tea) for JY100 per glass.
Open 11am-11pm Mon-Fri, 11am-10pm Sat/Sun/holidays (all-you-can-eat time 3-6pm, must be
seated by 5pm). 1-8-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku (03-3567-6878). Nearest stn: Ginza 1-chome, Yurakucho
line.
Saudi (Shibuya Nishimura Restaurant)
If sweets alone are not your thing, here's the perfect place. Alongside all the waffles,
pancakes, crepes and cakes they have a great fruit bar filled with fruits of the season,
all for JY1500 including coffee, tea, herbal tea and orange juice.
Open 11am-9:30pm daily (all-you-can-eat time 2:15-5:30pm). 22-2 Udagawa-cho, Nishimura
Bldg 3F, Shibuya-ku (03-3476-2003). Nearest stn: Shibuya, near 109 Bldg.
