Carte Blanche: A French-Inspired Afternoon Tea

I attended a birthday afternoon tea at 7 PM in Osaka. The venue was Carte Blanche, a French café tucked away underground on Honmachi Midosuji Street, resembling a hidden retreat. The café is relatively small, with about 8 counter seats and 3-4 table seats, giving off a sushi bar vibe while aiming to be a high-end bistro. It operates on a reservation basis, with bookings available in 30-minute intervals between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The café is closed every Tuesday, but since my trip included a Wednesday stay in Osaka, I was able to make a reservation. I was the only guest for the 7 PM slot, essentially having the place to myself. A dedicated server attended to me throughout, taking my orders and ensuring a personalized experience. The server's warm and cheerful demeanor immediately lifted my spirits. The menu consisted of 8 savory dishes and 3 sweet treats, making it more of a dinner-style afternoon tea. Guests can choose one drink from three types of tea or coffee. The appetizing savory dishes tempted me to order an additional glass of champagne. Interestingly, the server mentioned that they had previously worked at a hotel lounge I had visited before and shared that the current afternoon tea tray design was updated based on their suggestions. Since it was just the two of us, we had plenty of time for conversation, making the experience even more enjoyable. The server also took great photos for me and engaged in meaningful conversations until the very end, making this birthday afternoon tea truly memorable. The food was excellent as well. Thank you!