Random Thoughts 21

Bread

I love bread. All kinds of bread. I like it plain, as it is, and also used in sandwiches. There are so many varieties of bread and ways to eat it that I never grow tired of it. The only drawback, at least for me, is that I gain weight if I eat too much bread. Bread, for me, is like a forbidden fruit[1] - the more I refrain from eating it, the more I think about it and want it! To make matters worse[2] there are many delicious boulangerie[3], bread shops, and sandwich shops in Tokyo. Even the plain bread sold in markets and convenience stores is delicious!

I particularly like French breads and among my favorites are the following: baguette[4], fougasse[5], pain de campagne[6], and last, but not least, croissant[7]. I like them either plain, smeared with butter, or dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I also like sandwiches made with them. The type and variety of sandwiches made with French breads is only limited by the chef’s imagination.

I recently came across one boulangerie in Shibuya that I particularly like: Viron[8]. Not only does it offer a wide selection of breads, but pastries, too. Now those are really forbidden fruit for me! Viron also has a brasserie[9]. Someday I would like to try it, but for now I am happy enough with just its bread.

If you like bread as much as I do, then I recommend you stop by Viron and look at their marvelous selection of breads and pastries. And if you do happen to buy some, let me know how you liked them and what your favorites were!

[1] 禁断の果実

[2] おまけに、さらに悪いことに

[3] A bakery that specializes in French style breads

[4] Classic long, thin loaf, whose dough is actually defined by French law

[5] Typically associated with Provence and often containing local ingredients such as olives or olive oil.

[6] A rustic sourdough loaf, usually round in shape

[7] A buttery, flaky, viennoiserie [Viennese] pastry of Austrian origin.

[8] https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x60188ca970aa2465:0x1aa8c50c49653ca!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/viron%2B%25E6%25B8%258B%25E8%25B0%25B7/@35.66083,139.6968607,3a,75y,59.99h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211sAcPTLA0R_rcY_sxQlb1t2Q*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x60188ca970aa2465:0x1aa8c50c49653ca!5sviron+%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2sAcPTLA0R_rcY_sxQlb1t2Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTueKQsrXgAhVEWbwKHQOyBAYQoB8wCnoECAYQCw

[9] French style restaurant with a relaxed setting