It's a Friday in November, around 9pm. This time, I'm at the coffee shop "Benijika", a three-minute walk from Hibiya Station in Tokyo. While it's well known as the originator of pizza toast, it's also a cafe with an extensive menu of chocolate drinks.


Even tough and energetic people sometimes feel tired... and there are nights when they just want to be alone and lost in thought until the last train. On an evening like that, why not drop in?


Spending time alone enriches you and makes you realize just how irreplaceable your loved ones are. Having a fun time with friends or relaxing with your significant other is great, but sometimes it's good to have a coffee by yourself.


I usually have coffee, but on winter nights I like to enjoy hot chocolate. That night at Benishikasha, I came across the perfect hot chocolate, perfect for a weekend cafe.

Hot Chocolate (950 yen)
This is the ideal hot chocolate. It has a smooth and creamy texture. It's full of whipped cream, and of course the chocolate flavor isn't shallow at all, but rather a rich, mellow, sweet drink. What's even more noteworthy is that it's not at all cloying, and it's not overly sweet so it makes your throat feel tight. I'm satisfied. This is the kind of nuance I was looking for in a hot chocolate, not just hot cocoa.

Rum Chocolate (950 yen)
And besides the hot chocolate I was looking forward to, I discovered another drink that caught my eye. That was this "Rum Chocolate." When I saw the description "Iced Chocolate Drink with Rum" in English, I thought I'd give it a try. The rum chocolate poured into a sparkling cut glass looks just like a parfait.

It's delicious even without mixing the cream. I want to maintain this beautiful image, and I don't want to ruin it... But it's really delicious if you mix all the cream well, so don't hesitate to mix it up. The flavor changes dramatically. The chocolate flavor is reminiscent of Hershey's chocolate, making it a true sweet drink. It also reminds me of the nostalgic taste of chocolate syrup. Personally, I like to drink it when I'm feeling a bit stuck on a manuscript.


In addition to chocolate drinks, they also have a wide selection of food, so I had dinner there that day. Last food orders are at 11:00 PM, and last drink orders are at 11:15 PM. I also appreciate that they accept orders right up until closing time.

It's easily accessible from business districts like Hibiya, Ginza, and Yurakucho, so if you want a relaxing break on your way home, be sure to stop by Coffee House "Beni-Shikasha."

And that's it for our Weekend Cafe Club.

Photography: NATSUME TEZUKA