Must-Eat Desserts in Jiyugaoka | Mont St. Clair: Masterpieces from a Legendary Patisserie, Tokyo Hyakumeiten

The streets of Jiyugaoka are lined with so many patisseries that it is hard to know where to begin.This shop, named Mont St. Clair, is one of the two leading representatives of Jiyugaoka’s current dessert scene, helmed by world-renowned pastry chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi。

This is the first shop opened by Hironobu Tsujiguchi and has long been regarded as his “starting point.” Behind the glass in the shop, you can observe the dessert-making process in the kitchen, where the pastry chefs’ movements and the finished creations are revealed simultaneously.

As you step into Mont St. Clair, the first things to catch your eye are the desserts that shimmer like jewels. Every bite is an ultimate temptation for the palate, leaving one in awe. Whether it is the award-winning “C’est la Vie” or the irresistible Mont Blanc, every mouthful is a supreme indulgence for the taste buds.

To make every guest feel happiness while tasting the desserts.This is the belief held by every staff member at Mont St. Clair. They believe that only the delicacy achieved by hand and the warmth that only the heart can touch can create desserts that truly move people.

The shop’s most iconic creation is the white hexagonal “C’est la Vie.” This dessert won first prize in a competition hosted by the French Embassy; it features an outer layer of white chocolate with layers of raspberry and chocolate mousse inside. Upon the first bite, the gentle sweetness of the white chocolate unfolds, followed by the subtle tartness of the raspberry. The two balance each other perfectly—neither cloying nor thin. Its appearance is simple, with almost no superfluous decoration, yet it is remembered for its shape and proportions. Many people come specifically for this piece, and even when seasonal fruit tarts or Mont Blancs are available, this remains the most frequently mentioned choice.