As autumn takes hold, a distinct chill is creeping into the air. On the upside, though, this makes for the perfect opportunity to stay cosy and warm inside your favorite café! We visited ELLE CAFÉ on the fourth floor of Hakata Hankyu to try their new autumn/winter menu offerings with a stylish young Frenchwoman who has enjoyed going to cafés since her teens.
Lucile Chalmandrier became interested in human behavioral studies as a high school student and decided to major in sociology at university. As she was studying in Bordeaux, she took advantage of the sister-city relationship with Fukuoka and came over to attend Kyushu University, where she is currently furthering her studies with a master’s course.
“Why do people do the things they do? It’s an interesting point to consider,” she says in a soft but enthusiastic tone. Her ambition is to one day teach at a Japanese university. “I want to live in Fukuoka as long as I can. It’s safe, clean and its proximity to Asia allows me to travel easily.” Lucile enjoys cooking with her friends on weekends. She recreates dishes she has eaten at gourmet restaurants- and is particularly interested in cakes, tarts and other desserts. These treats are recorded in a handmade recipe book, and photos of her friends enjoying her creations are attached.
Lucile ordered hot chocolate (¥777), a drink from the autumn menu, and its familiar taste evoked memories of her family in Paris. She happily told us they will visit Japan in December, and plan to spend the new year holiday period travelling with her. We wish them a happy trip!
Menu: Hot chocolate ¥777
Hakata Hankyu ELLE CAFÉ
4F Hakata Hankyu, 1-1 Hakataeki-chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Tel: 092-419-5832
Open: 10:00 ~ 21:00 (last call 20:30)
