Hotel New Otani Osaka will be hosting the "Sweets & Sandwich Buffet - Strawberry Picking at the Hotel" from January 15 to March 31, 2017, which coincides with Strawberry Day. Last season, the buffet enjoyed explosive popularity, attracting a record-breaking 23,000 visitors. This year, marking its fifth anniversary, the buffet will offer a tasting comparison of three popular brand-name strawberries, as well as exquisite strawberry sweets and sweets inspired by this year's theme, "ball." The "Brand-Name Strawberry Tasting Comparison" will feature three fresh, rotating brand-name strawberries. The selection will include the most delicious varieties of each season, from Kyushu to the Kanto region, including Fukuoka's "Amaou," the large, white-fleshed "Saga Honoka," and the juicy, mildly tart "Hinoshizuku." In addition, garnishes such as original whipped cream, condensed milk, and ice cream, which emphasize sweetness, will be available for you to enjoy.

In addition, new items inspired by a ball will be available, including traditional Western sweets with a strawberry twist, such as the "Strawberry Brulee," which has a bittersweet exterior and a rich, sweet cream filling that melts in your mouth, and the "Strawberry Brioche," with its light and crispy crust. Other items include cupcakes and tartlets with adorable designs, reflecting the pastry chef's humor, as well as gorgeous sweets that look like princesses attending a ball.

Furthermore, 15 types of "strawberry sweets" that have been loved for 30 years since the hotel opened, such as shortcake, roll cake, and Napoleon pie, will also be available. Also available are special pancakes, popular for their fluffy, soufflé-like texture, made with a generous amount of meringue mixed into a dough made with Italian ricotta and mascarpone. Additionally, special gourmet sandwiches will be available, created by Shoji Nishiguchi, executive chef at the Tokyo branch of the famous Parisian restaurant Thor d'Argent, a French restaurant with over 400 years of history. These gorgeous sandwiches feature mascarpone and pistachio cream sandwiched between strawberry-infused bread dough. Chicken and pork cutlets will also be sandwiched between the strawberry dough. Other dishes include daily pasta and pilaf, completing the extensive food lineup. The first session will run from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, and the second session will run from 1:30 PM to 3 PM, each 90 minutes long. Prices are ¥5,000 for adults on weekdays, ¥5,500 on weekends and holidays, ¥2,500 for elementary school students (ages 7 to 12), and ¥1,000 for children aged 4 to 6. All prices include tax and service charge.