Have you been to a German grocery store this summer and seen the small, yellow plums for sale? When a tree near my house started dropping these to the ground, I decided to do some digging (and tasting).

Special recipe from Kei Kobayashi, Restaurant Kei, Paris

French brasserie cuisine with a Japanese twist.

If I had to choose a favorite contemporary café in Tokyo this would be it. Set inside a flower shop, the place is absolutely whimsical with colorful fragrant blooms filling the entire space. Their charming flower arrangements never fail to take my breath away.

If you are stationed at Misawa Air Base or plan on visiting, there’s a neat restaurant in the area that serves up authentic French cuisine that will make your mouth water and leave your stomach full.

Our love for French food and exploration of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred restaurants brought us to Les Chanterelle for lunch (generally, a much more affordable way to tap your toes into the fine dining scene in Tokyo).

Another paradise for tea lovers (including my mother-in-law) is Tea Stand located on the backstreet of Omotesando. Crystal chandeliers contrasting with suspended colorful herbs create a bit of a whimsical atmosphere.

Every time I walked past this tiny place tucked away in Harajuku’s narrow alleyway I would see a long line of giggling Japanese girls patiently waiting for what looked like a stack of the fluffiest pancakes I have ever seen.

It’s no secret that Japanese adore anything and everything associated with France. This translates to numerous French imports including cafes and restaurants.

Le Coeur’s tagline, “casual champagne dining,” perfectly sums up their unique atmosphere: This French restaurant boasts all the sophistication of fine dining contained in an intimate setting.