With a name taken from the Italian word for “husband”, the maritozzo has come a long way from its more romantic origins rooted in Rome. This simple but filling sweet bun, for instance, is Japan’s currently reigning trendy dessert item. Bakeries and cafes all over Japan have adopted the Roman pastry and added tasty little quirks you can only expect from Japan.

Kichijōji Colonial Garden is one such place that’s putting its own spin on the maritozzo, and they’re combining it with another favorite item among those in the trendy Japanese pastry circle: Shine Muscat grapes.

In fact, their latest limited-time afternoon tea plan is highlighting shine muscat and kyoho grapes as the stars of their menu. These grape cultivars are not only beloved because of how well they complement the sweetness of pastries and desserts, they both also happen to be born and produced in Japan.

This fruity afternoon tea set consists of 11 luxurious food items, including a maritozzo filled with cream and shine muscat grape slices, shine muscat mini parfaits, kyoho cream puffs and roll cakes. Of course, if you just want to enjoy grapes on their own, they’re also serving the aforementioned grape cultivars as is, with the addition of the American Delaware cultivar.

Kichijoji Colonial Garden’s “Luxurious Fruit Afternoon Tea Set” costs 2,800 yen per person, and will be available until the end of September 2021. You can find more information about the restaurant, including their opening hours, address, and phone number for reservations on their website.


By - Jen Laforteza.