Today we decided to take a break. From skiing and Japanese food. Since our visit last year our favourite bakery has relocated from the Hirafu intersection. In its place there is a French style creperie and bakery. Operated by the newly established Niseko Supply Company. In an original but refurbished wooden building now known as Odin.

My son and I ventured in for lunch. Lured by the prospect of good coffee and French style pastries. This cafe is managed by Paul whom we recognised from one of our favourite haunts many years ago. The Belgian Cafe. When our children were much younger we used to make the trek down to the lower village for whole roast chicken and Belgian beer. Sadly, we have missed Paul’s cafe and delicious rotisserie chickens over the last few years. So today’s visit was a wonderful blast from the past.

Today we were not disappointed. A little corner of France in Niseko.  For lunch? Quiche and a buckwheat galette from Brittany.

The quiche was filled with bacon, cheese, onion and tomato. Served with a little green salad.

The buckwheat galette filled with cheese and topped with roast chicken and a tangle of stir fried Japanese mushrooms. A la Paul!

Of course this being our first visit we had to try the crepes. So we shared an apple crepe topped with ice cream and caramel sauce. Delicieux!

And to finish? A cappuccino and cafe au lait. The pastries will have to wait until another day. The bakery opens at 7.30 am daily so perhaps croissants and fresh baguettes are in order for breakfast one morning soon.

Postscript

We returned back to Sydney and for Shrove Tuesday couldn’t resist recreating these gorgeous buckwheat galettes for dinner. For those of you who are curious to try your hand at making them here is the link to the post :

Simply Scrumptious. Savoury Crêpes. Buckwheat Galettes With Ham, Gruyere and Brie.

For good measure we also made traditional crepes for dessert. And here is that link:

Our Last Shrove Tuesday Hurrah. Crêpes With a Simple Orange and Brown Sugar Sauce.