If it's hard to find vegetarian-friendly food in Japan, it's almost impossible to find vegetarian specialty restaurants or cafes. Even in a city like Sendai, there are only a few cafes, and their opening hours are quite limited. But if you're in town when Frederick's Pantry Noyau is open, at least you don't have to worry about the quality of the food.
Frederick's is also a bit more accessible than some – less than 10 minutes' walk from Itsutsubashi Subway Station. You'll find it on a corner opposite a Lawson – keep an eye out for the standing sign. It's pretty small, but feels bigger thanks to the use of light and pale, wooden furniture. The addition of a shop in one corner (mostly food – beans, spices, specialty ingredients) feels very in-keeping with the store's apparent dedication to natural, fresh food.
Noyau is run by two people, cooking from a kitchen tucked behind the counter. This limits the amount they can prepare each day, and is likely the reason why the cafe is closed three days a week. It doesn't affect the taste, though, meaning that the cafe is rather popular. The lunch set (seasonal soup, bread and salad) in particular sells out quickly, so making reservations is recommended. This can be done by phone – the owners appear to speak a little English, but Japanese would probably be better.
The menu has more than that to offer, however. There is a great selection of drinks, of which I particularly enjoyed the raspberry juice. It was thick, like a smoothie, but just contained fresh, juicy raspberries. The pancakes are also a highlight. Made in a mold, they look for all the world like flowers, and the whole wheat flour in them adds some substance. They are served with homemade strawberry jam, a real treat; rose jam, a perfumed flavor that might not suit everyone; and honey syrup. If you fancy something more unusual, how about a lavender scone? They have an intriguing savory note.
For simple, fresh, healthy vegetarian food, Noyau is a delicious option. It's popular and has limited opening hours, but eat here and you won't be disappointed.
