The Capital Hotel Tokyu, where you can have authentic afternoon tea

Lounge Origami

From the main lobby of The Capital Hotel Tokyu on the 3rd floor going straight, is where a large window allows soft light to seep in, Lounge Origami. When sitting down on comfortable sofas, with a view of the garden outside time seems to slip by, where you forget this is even in the middle of the city. The tables are spaced deliberately so that you can have privacy when discussing important deals and such. Of course you can just sit alone in contemplation or it can be a place where girl friends can come for a chat.

Afternoon tea set Capitol Grace

The afternoon tea set was introduced here in April of 2014. The 3 tiered tray stand is probably what most would imagine with afternoon tea. Here though, while you are letting your tea steep and enjoy the aroma you are presented with a cloth wrapped parcel of the afternoon tea set. It almost looks like the casket that Urashimataro was presented as he left Ryugu Castle. The hotel staff carefully unwrap the parcel in front of you.

You can reserve an afternoon tea set by phone. Black tea set: 4000 JPY Glass champagne set: 5000 JPY Glass champagne free flow set: women 7000 JPY men 10000 JPY

In the Black tea set you have 8 types of coffee on the menu starting with the best Arabica Turkish Raja Blend coffee, as well as 10 different teas including herb teas, which are all you can drink. With the champagne sets you can enjoy Veuve Clicquot yellow label brut which is loved around the world.

The menu of the afternoon tea set

When the parcel is unwrapped you have a two level box reminiscent of Osechi food.

First level: petit four prepared by patisserie Asato Second level: many dishes that go perfect with champagne

The lineup inside is like this:

First level: Ratatouille of summer veggies, veggie mousse, tuna and cucumber on rye sandwich, smoke salmon, 2 types of cheese, olives, grilled smoke duck, roast beef, assorted fruits, veggie chips Second level: seasonal fruit choux icecream, fruit compote, blancmange, and petit four such as chocolate and marshmallows.

It also comes with 2 types of scones.

The first level comes with many types of vegetables and each ingredient is so flavorful it’s surprising. The roast beef steals the show though. Which is provided at Origami during dinner it is made from rib roast that just gets more savory as you bite the tender meat, and the gravy is a perfect blend to add to what is already there.

The second level all the sweets aren’t just sweet, each is perfectly calculated to deliver just the right amount of delicate flavor, and looks absolutely fantastic, so many that you want to savor one by one. Leaving salty things like the olives for later and switching between the sweet and salty you can really get a taste of each one unencumbered.

This menu is only until September 30, 2014 and it is the summer version. The afternoon tea set sweets and savory items change according to the season, and the autumn one will start from October 1, 2014. Please confirm with the lounge if you would like to know the present menu.

German apple pancakes

If you have some room left definitely try the German Apple Pancakes 1235 JPY. The shape is odd and begs you to sneak a peak in the kitchen to see how they make it. The outside is a thin crispy crust, and the inside is soft doughy. The pancake turns into a bowl almost when you pour butter and maple syrup onto it, where it mixes with the sweet sourness of the apple to create harmony. Even if you are full but still want to have some rest assured as they provide half sized versions as well. This is one dish you will want to brag to friends about.