Will the smartphone and future tech finally kill off the art of conversation? Not if Dial, a dessert-focused eatery with a salon-like vibe, has anything to do with it. With its name derived from the word ‘dialogue’, this spot nestled midway between Kuramae and Asakusa has come up with a low-tech, yet playfully clever, means of stimulating interaction between two customers. Those visiting alone, meanwhile, might find that Dial also encourages some illuminating inner conversation.
Inside this European retro space, a wall-mounted wooden shelf unit holds dozens of tiny boxes, with each containing a single card upon which is written a phrase or question intended to spark off an interesting dialogue. ‘Which one photo or movie would I keep on my phone, if I were forced to delete all others?’ reads one card, while another suggests the customers discuss ‘A teacher who cared about me when I was a student’. Boxes and their cards are helpfully categorised into ‘light’, ‘mid’ and ‘deep’ topics.
Dial’s signature hachette dessert plates are themselves likely to become a topic of conversation. The plant-based soufflé chocolat (¥1,800) is made with chocolate sauce from bean-to-bar specialist Minimal, while a strawberry and sumire parfait (¥2,200) combines two ice cream flavours: violet and Mara des Bois strawberries.
You’ll also find a selection of teas (¥800 each) including rooibos in both ‘citrus' and ‘oriental’ varieties, Darjeeling, a caramel-butter oolong, and Bali green tea flavoured with lychee, grapefruit, peach and rose. Breakfast and lunchtime bites are also available, including a plant-based falafel sandwich plate (¥1,600).
Text by Darren Gore