CaD Kado

A hot dog arrives with a generously sized, springy sausage nestled in a bun toasted to a fragrant finish. At CaD (カド), on a corner in a residential part of Mejiro, this is the place to start. The sausage is brought in from TESIO, a specialist shop in Okinawa. With each bite, its juicy savoury flavour meets the bun’s pleasantly chewy texture and the fragrance of a generous scattering of fried onions.

There’s more than a light bite on offer: cheesecake is another tempting choice. The rare cheesecake is pure white, rich and smooth, with a choice of salt and pepper or honey-lemon sauce on the side. Pair its mellow sweetness with a tingle of salt and black pepper, and the cheese’s richness comes into sharper focus, leaving a pleasing finish even for those who don’t usually go for sweets.

To drink, an espresso latte has enough depth to hold its own against the milk’s mellow richness, while the craft lemonade is refreshing, with a balance of sweetness and acidity. Wine and a platter of ham are also available, making it possible to linger over a glass in an aperitif-like mood rather than stopping at coffee and cake.

Designed by an architectural firm, the compact, polished interior pairs cool grey tones with wooden furnishings. Light falls through the large windows, giving the stand a calm atmosphere. It’s an easy place to drop in alone during a walk or pick up something to take away.