(Illustration: Photo taken at Bricolage bread & co., Roppongi, Tokyo. Image source: Ernest)
About
Originally, I planned to get up early and head to Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue to photograph the ginkgo-lined streets before the crowds arrived. I wanted to find a breakfast place or a coffee shop that opened early and wasn’t too far from my accommodation in Roppongi. Fortunately, Bricolage bread & co., located opposite the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, popped up on my map because it opens at 7 am, which was perfect for my schedule today.
After doing some research, I discovered that this breakfast spot is quite renowned. Bricolage bread & co., which combines a restaurant, bakery, and coffee shop, is a collaboration among Shinobu Namae, the head chef of Tokyo’s Michelin two-starred L’Effervescence; Ayumu Iwanaga, the top-ranked baker from Osaka’s popular Le Sucré-Coeur; and Kenji Kojima, who introduced Fuglen Tokyo’s Nordic-style coffee. These three experts from different fields have come together to create this unique dining experience.
Morning Walk in Roppongi
(Walking from Roppongi Station towards Roppongi Hills, I saw colorful murals in the small alleys along the way.)
(From a different angle, I took another picture.)
(Along the way, I came across Sushizanmai Takumi Roppongi Roppios Store and, on a whim, decided to indulge in some sushi first, haha! After leaving the sushi restaurant, I saw a coffee shop. Since it hadn’t opened yet and the breakfast place I was heading to also served coffee, I just took a quick photo for the record this time.)
(After checking the map, instead of cutting through the upper plane of the Roppongi Hills buildings, I chose to take a longer route at ground level to explore different views. The morning, with fewer people and cars and plenty of sunshine, was quite pleasant and photogenic.)
(Although I had a map in hand and got a bit lost, it turned out to be a fortunate detour. I captured the unexpected beauty found in the corners beside residential buildings with my camera.)
(The morning sunlight meeting the ginkgo trees.)
(After getting back to the main road and finding my bearings, a left turn up ahead was all I needed.)
Bricolage bread & co. Outdoors
(Standing amidst the flowers on the side of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, I savored the winter sun’s warmth. The building bathed in sunlight in the photo is where Bricolage bread & co. is located.)
(Next to Bricolage bread & co. stands the towering Roppongi Hills Residence.)
(Arrived at the entrance of Bricolage bread & co.! This is the side door; I’ll take a picture of the main entrance later.)
Bakery Breads
(Entering from the side door, you’ll walk directly into the bakery section. The aroma is tantalizing, and before even checking for a seat, I couldn’t help but start planning how many I could fit in my stomach… Will I have the energy to go and take photos at the tree-lined streets after eating? Or should I just relax here for a bit?)
(Handcrafted baked breads, accompanied by handwritten labels. The warmth and aroma upon entering – if it weren’t for the limited capacity of my stomach, I’d really love to try every flavor!)
(Yesterday at Fuglen Tokyo, I saw this uniquely shaped croissant bread. Seeing it again today, I didn’t hesitate to order it right away. Later, I even took a few home to share with my family.)
(For the first round dining in, I ordered chicken and vegetable stew, the signature croissant, and a large cup of hot coffee. After finishing, I couldn’t resist ordering a second round to take home.)
(In the corner by the wall of the bakery, there’s a refrigerator with some cold dishes and drinks suitable for takeout.)
(In addition to cold food and drinks, the corner of the bakery also offers various jams, coffee beans, and drip coffee bags.)
(The menu on the wall – after ordering, wait and enjoy your meal in the dining area next to it.)
Coffee
(The coffee area is located on the left side of the bakery. You can enjoy the same Fuglen Tokyo coffee as I had for breakfast yesterday, which is quite reassuring.)
(There’s a diverse selection of coffee, each paired with different corresponding beans.)
Dining
(Continuing past the bakery’s checkout counter and through the coffee area, you’ll come to this corner. There’s a wooden-framed glass sliding door leading into the indoor dining area.)
(Upon entering the indoor dining area, the first thing you see is this food preparation table. There’s water, cups, and utensils available for self-service on the side.)
(The decor on the large tables in the restaurant changes with the seasons, offering both visual separation and transparency.)
(I occasionally cook at home, and seeing such a beautiful workbench with collage tiles, I felt a bit of an itch to cook myself :p)
(I grabbed a cup of water, found a table, flipped through a few pages of a book, and before my meal was ready, I enjoyed the warm breakfast ambiance of Bricolage bread & co.)
Dishes
Croissant (JPY 420, pre-tax)
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️ 4/5
I had already seen this uniquely shaped croissant at Fuglen Tokyo yesterday, and encountering it again today, I didn’t hesitate to order right away. The traditional sharp corners of the croissant were modified into chubby, rounded protrusions. I really like this memorable design, which not only enhances the texture at first bite but also adds to its memorability. Later, I took several more home.
(The croissant and hot coffee were ready in no time, first served at the table alongside the book.)
Hot Coffee (JPY 400, pre-tax)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Yesterday at Fulgen Tokyo, I could add hot water myself to adjust the strength, but today at Bricolage, the barista took care of it. I love having a cup of hot coffee to wake up my brain in the crisp, cold weather, and then getting to work.
(The hot coffee photo has already made an appearance earlier, so here’s a picture of the Fuglen Tokyo drip coffee bag.)
Shakshuka with Roasted Vegetables (JPY 1,600, pre-tax)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
This time, I followed my instincts and chose dishes I’m accustomed to. Initially, I just wanted to grab something light like yogurt to go with the croissant and coffee before heading to my photo shoot location. However, upon seeing the menu, I immediately changed my mind because I have a soft spot for stews, haha. At first glance, the portion seemed small, but it was quite filling after eating.
(After the pager rang, I picked up my meal from the counter next to the preparation table. Watching the staff make avocado bread, my stomach grew hungrier by the second… XD)
(Served! Let’s eat! A bowl of hot stew on a winter morning makes me not want to leave the place!)
(Capturing the materials and lighting of the indoor dining area.)
The Ambiance
(The weather was exceptionally clear that day, and it was early enough for the light and shadows to play through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a very comfortable atmosphere indoors.)
(After switching to a smaller bag, I always carry an Amazon Kindle and Field Notes notebook with me, ready for reading anytime. Since organizing my Ernest PKM, I’ve been (relatively) less anxious in this information overload era.)
(The restaurant thoughtfully provides an oven for self-service bread warming.)
(One of the corners inside the restaurant.)
(After finishing breakfast, I came back to take away some bread. I captured another view crossing from the bakery through the coffee area to the dining section. By this time, it was bustling with people.)
(Seeing something labeled ’limited edition,’ I couldn’t help but give in to temptation…)
(All the seats by the window were also occupied. The light by the window was fantastic!)
(I also noticed a winter Christmas special meal set on the wall.)
(This large table with its decorations, combined with the decor and varied lighting seen through it, makes me want to try sitting here next time.)
Pet-Friendly
(After a satisfying meal and taking some to-go, I walked out the main entrance to find a queue had formed outside. The outdoor dining area is pet-friendly.)
(Could this be considered a comfortable waiting area?! I’m thankful I got up early, avoiding the queue and enjoying some peace and quiet :p)
Bottom line
During the meal, I marked “Bricolage bread & co.” on my map for future visits, as I’d like to try other meals and breads here.
If I just want a simple hot coffee with their signature croissant, I might go directly to Fuglen Tokyo near Yoyogi Park, where it’s slightly less crowded and there are more coffee options.
The location, being a bit away from the subway station, adds to the comfortable dining atmosphere. Everyone speaks softly and queues orderly. The bread and food quality is excellent and fresh, reflecting the dedication of the three masters. Their cross-disciplinary collaboration achieves a balance while maintaining high standards and quality. I recommend this place to everyone. If you’re passing by Roppongi or Shibuya, it’s worth getting up early to come here.
(The reflection in the large window at the main entrance, along with a person waiting in line.)
(Upon leaving, I could see the Tokyo Tower directly in view. Very satisfied with this breakfast, I headed off to my next destination.)
Information
- Name = Bricolage bread & co.
- Address = Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome−15−1 けやき坂テラス1F (Floor 1, Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Terrace)
- Google Maps = https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uq99myN4C8q99Ko96