Hare and Tortoise

I've been to a few Hare and Tortoises over the years.  Last year the Ealing branch started to advertise their matcha and black sesame ice creams and I have been trying, although failing miserably, to get there and try them.Well thanks to an impromptu lunch with my mum I eventually did get my ice cream!

Food

I went for the matcha (green tea) soft serve and  my mum went for the Kurogoma (black sesame) soft serve. Both come with sweet azuki beans, mochi and rice puffs. The dessert is only available at the Ealing branch and is currently on offer for £4 (normally £5.20). 

This was the first time my mum had tried matcha ice cream (I have no idea given how much matcha ice cream I have tried over the year). This one was just right - not too sweet and then that bitter matcha taste right at the end. The sesame was interesting; I'd never tried black sesame ice cream before and this one had a nice nutty sesame taste to it.
I've never been a fan of azuki beans but I really liked these ones with my ice cream as they added a little sweetness. And I can never say no to mochi!

All in all I was quite happy with this dessert. I'd have it again if I was in the mood for some matcha icecream.

Ambience

This hare and tortoise has always been a nice branch. It's sleek and modern; not the prettiest restaurant I've been to but couldn't find any fault in the general ambience and design.

Service

This one is a little tricky. So we turned up on a weekday, after lunch hours. The restaurant wasn't crazy busy. However when I said I wanted a table just for dessert they got a little funny about it. I, on the other had, didn't understand the fuss. Anyway, they eventually agreed to seat us after a little persuasion and once we got seated the service was fine. They offered us some water and the dessert came promptly.

Conclusion

I'm a big fan of the local eats and it makes me happy to know that I know have some good matcha ice cream nearby. I'll still never get the fuss over the only dessert order but that's fine; I'd still go back here for the matcha ice cream