Janu Patisserie ジャヌ パティスリー (Tokyo, JAPAN) ★★★★☆

We picked the perfect time to explore Azabudai Hills (麻布台ヒルズ) this afternoon following a stopover for lunch in Roppongi. With a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, we were fortunate to have clear blue skies, bright but not too sunny, making this a comfortable and enjoyable visit.

While my team decided to swing by Hisaya Kyoto Azabudai Hills (比沙家 麻布台之丘) for an afternoon dessert, I had another idea in mind – to pay the luxurious 5-star Janu Tokyo a visit.

Janu Tokyo which opened in March 2024, is the first property under the Janu brand, a sister brand to Aman. While Aman is known for its serene, ultra-exclusive retreats, Janu offers a more vibrant and social take on luxury hospitality, blending world-class design with wellness and exceptional dining experiences.

I have recently heard about Janu Patisserie (ジャヌ パティスリー), an in-house French patisserie at Janu Tokyo and decided to come in for a quick look. As it turns out, this hidden gem is tucked inside Janu Mercato, an open-kitchen restaurant inspired by the quintessential Italian market.

Janu Patisserie offers a variety of Japanese-inspired cakes, including Japanese-style cheesecakes and strawberry shortcakes, along with some seasonal fruit tarts.

But I have my eyes locked in on the chef's specialty, Taruni.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a table open for me to enjoy my pastry so I was directed to a nearby counter table at Mercato for my sweet treat.

I certainly won't mind sitting here at all, especially with the floor-to-ceiling view of Azabudai Hills right in front of my eyes.

Hot chocolate (2,500yen) – I thought this would have the rich and velvety texture reminiscent of Angelina Paris' famous hot chocolate but it tasted more like it was made with chocolate powder. Another thing I didn't like about it was the zesty flavors, which was a little over the top.

Taruni (1,400yen) – The signature dessert here.

This was a timeless combination of pistachio and raspberry that never disappoints. The delicate pistachio mousse, paired with crispy pistachio feuilletine, was perfectly complemented by the light raspberry cream, raspberry jam and compote.

I wish I had the luxury of time to sit back and reflect on life back home like I did for the past hour. It felt like time has stood still for me, giving me the chance to immerse myself in my thoughts. But it's time to check in with my team and see what they've been doing now.

Food Rating: 6.4/10

Price: ￥￥￥￥

Address: Lobby Level, Janu Tokyo, 1-2-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Kamiyacho

Tel: +81 50-1809-5550

Website: https://www.janu.com/janu-tokyo/ja/experiences/dining/

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 9:00pm daily