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Dress Diner at Grand Mer Okinawa

Contributed by Louise Dupuy. https://istrikhedonia.com/

The Grand Mer Okinawa is a luxury resort nestled within Okinawa City, and only a short drive from Rycom Mall, Kitanakagusuku village, and the Okinawa Prefectural Park. But I’m not here to instill the virtues of the hotel itself, rather, I’m here to tell you about their Dress Diner, and why you should consider it for your next meal out.

The Dress Diner is a buffet style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner, sitting conveniently on the first floor of the Grand Mer. It’s next to the gift shop. Whilst parking (surprisingly) is a bit of a pain (it’s limited, you may need to park off site and down a little alley), the food selection available more than makes up for it.

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I visited on a Friday night (very popular, apparently), with my husband. Dinner is ¥3,500 from Mon-Thurs, and ¥2,980 on Fri-Sun, so it’s about mid-range as far as price goes. But what do you get? As it turns out, rather a lot. The restaurant is famous for their seafood, and in particular their crabs legs; I don’t eat seafood, so I can’t impart any wisdom on that front, but they did seem popular, as most of the other tables had a large heap of them! Luckily there are plenty of non-seafood options, though sadly no veggie/vegan friendly options, though most of you will be able to find something to please your palette. Kids? There’s a small area with kid-friendly options, or they can take from the main buffet.

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The food isn’t bad. It’s warm, full of flavor, and readily available, meaning you don’t have to stand around waiting for more food to come out. I particularly enjoyed the roast beef (not too overdone), and the stroganoff (hearty and flavorsome). There’s also a dessert bar, which is arguably the best part of any meal. I of course tried a little bit of everything (my job is so hard sometimes) just so I could give you, dedicated readers, a fair appraisal. So it’s all good… Well it is, but if you pressed me to choose, I’d go with the matcha cake (not for everyone, but I do love me some green tea), strawberry cake (light and fluffy, and topped with fresh strawberries), and the banana mousse (in case you didn’t think heaven came in mousse form).

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Let’s talk drinks shall we? Of all the buffets I’ve ever been to (and trust me, I’ve been to a lot), this one had the best drinks selection by a country mile. Soft and alcoholic are included in the price, so make sure you aren’t the designated driver (if you’re old enough to drink). You’ll get to choose from sake (different varieties), beer (Orion, also more than one variety), red wine, white wine, and what I would call alcopops (I’m British and over 30), or what the Japanese call “Chu Hai”. The latter is what I opted for. I chose the grape version, and it just tasted like fruit juice, which is simultaneously brilliant and disastrous, because I could drink it all night and forget it had alcohol in it (in other words, it’s not very hangover friendly). If you’re designated driver/ underage/ just not much of a drinker, good news! The soft selection is just as plentiful! Fruit juices, sodas, coke, iced tea, iced coffee, and hot versions of the latter two mean you’re spoiled for choice.

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Finally, let’s talk about times and prices. If you want to grab breakfast, be there between 0600-1030, and it’ll cost you: adult (12 years old and up) ¥1,300, child (6-11 years old) ¥700, and children (3-5 years old) ¥500. Lunch? Starting at 1115 and ending at 1500 (1115-1530 on weekends), it’ll set you back: adult (12 years old and up) ¥1,980, child (6-11 years old) ¥700, and children (3-5 years old) ¥500. Tea time is 1500-1730, though sadly I can’t find prices for this (safe bet that it’s roughly the same as lunch though). And finally, we already mentioned dinner but I’ll remind you, it starts at 1800 and ends at 2200, and costs: adult (16 years old and up) ¥3,500 from Mon-Thurs, ¥2,980 on Fri-Sun, child (12-15 years old) ¥2,500, child (6-11 years old) ¥1,500, and children (3-5 years old) free. Seating capacity is 252, credit card and yen cash are accepted, and you can reserve your spot by calling 098-931-1585 (between 0930 and 1930).

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Intrigued? Check out their website for more info and menu’s: http://www.okinawa-grandmer.com/en/dressdiner.php.

In conclusion, it’s worth a look at least once. It’s a nice spot for a romantic meal, or would work well for a business meeting or a dining out date for groups of friends. It’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible, a great choice for fam

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Feliz Coffee

Contributed by Charity L.

There is no shortage of great places to eat at American Village. When it comes to early mornings though, the choices are limited. There is a new place that just opened last month, that is the answer to your morning breakfast dilemma. Feliz Coffee is your stop for great coffee, delicious breakfast, and a spacious atmosphere.  They offer Hot and Iced Teas, Lattes, Iced Coffees, Fruit Juices, beer, and Granitas. Don’t know what a Granita is? Order one! It will not disappoint.

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No matter what your breakfast carb of choice is, Feliz Coffee has you covered. If you like waffles, try the Feliz Waffle. It is three waffle stacked high, with whipped cream, strawberries and peaches. If that sounds too sweet, choose a more savory option, like the Bacon and Cheese Waffle. This one is stacked like a sandwich; sunny side egg on top.  Are you more of a pancake person? If so, you must try the Coconut and Macadamia Nut Sauce Pancakes. Come enjoy this hungry, because this tower of perfection will fill you up. As I enjoyed this stack, I found a pleasant surprise in the middle holding the stack together. A chocolate Pocky, which my son snatched quickly from me, was melting in the middle, giving this already deliciously sweet breakfast, that much more goodness. There is also French Toast, biscuits, and muffins, with an assortment of flavors, like Earl Grey.Image may be NSFW.
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As I looked over the menu, one item caught my eye, but I could not justify ordering it at 8am. I made a second trip a couple nights later, just so I could order the cake set! It is three mini squares of cake, one Chocolate Fudge, one Cheesecake, and the other was a light lemon flavor.
This is when I also ordered the Granita. Yes, I went all out. This place is great. Feliz Coffee even sells coffee mugs and espresso cups and saucers.

There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If there is entertainment going on at night, sit outside and Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.enjoy a front row seat. Its location is very convenient , so parking is no problem.

Phone: 098-989-1535

Payment: Yen and Cards

FREE WIFI

Hours: 7am-8pm

Parking: The lot across from the Aeon is a close option.

Address: 1F Carnival Park Mihama, 15-69 Mihama, Chatan-Cho American Village

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, go left onto 58. Follow it down until you see the Ferris Wheel. Take that right.

CONTRIBUTED BY THERESA BUYCO

I take bread pretty seriously. French bread, sourdough, ciabatta, croissants — you name it; I love them all. My eyes almost roll back into my head every time I break apart a warm, crusty baguette. “Where am I going to get my fix?” I wondered before coming to Japan. Little did I know, bread and other delicious baked goods are plentiful here because panya, or Japanese bread bakeries, are everywhere! Found on almost every corner, inside major groceries stores, at department stores, at train stations, and so on.

Although European-inspired, Japanese bakeries are wonderfully unique in and of itself, with their own twist of ingredients that you would never find anywhere else. (I’m still trying to wrap my head around the tuna and corn pairing, or the ever-popular cheese and mayo.)

Since living in Nago, I’ve had the chance to try many of the great bakeries in this area in hopes of fulfilling my perpetual bread craving, but one, in particular, deserves special recognition: Panchori-na.

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The popularity of this bakery is nothing new among locals, which I could immediately tell by how crowded it was when I visited one late Saturday morning. I also immediately knew from the moment I stepped inside that I would love this place! Small, yet charming, this bakery is overflowing with baked goods left and right that are so visually enticing you’ll want to try every single item there. Bakers swiftly move past customers to replace empty trays and bring in new items from the back. I saw an entire cart with batches of pastries that were just finished and ready to be put the oven. Everything is so fresh — you’ll definitely recognize it by the smell in the air. Sweet and savory goodies, fruit tarts, bread with cheese oozing out of the center, flaky chocolate croissants, sandwiches on small baguettes, and of course curry pan (Japanese curry baked inside a crust-coated dough that’s been deep fried.) Plus so much more!

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Just like all self-serve panya, I grabbed a pair of tongs and a basket-tray and began to shop. All the handwritten labels are in Japanese, so I had to let my eyes and nose do the picking. I tend to be indecisive when it comes to food, but when there are so many good things to choose from, it’s easy to go overboard! (Which I did!) I chose the bigger of the two sized trays, and I still didn’t have enough space for everything I wanted to try. I didn’t want to take up more time and space inside the tiny bake shop than I had to, since there were customers piling in behind me, so I decided to pay for what I had to rush home to try it all! Luckily I had my husband and daughter to help indulge with me. Everything tasted just as good as it looked, if not better! And trust me, I am not easy to please when it comes to baked goods! I decided right then and there that a stop by Panchori-na will be a new part of my Saturday morning routine.

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Items are bought so quickly it was almost impossible the capture the abundance of baked goods in a picture.

So if you do find yourself in Nago and want to give Panchori-na a try, here are a couple of my tips for you:

• DO visit early for the best selection. Freshly baked items were flying out of the kitchen during the Saturday morning rush, but since I don’t know when they stop putting out fresh items, I can assume the earlier the better.
• DO take your baked goods with you to one of the lovely nearby parks or beaches to enjoy (but DO eat immediately, because that’s when they taste the best!) There are no tables or stands inside Panchori-na to eat.

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Panchori-Na (パンチョリーナ)

Website: pancho-ri-na.jimdo.com

Phone: 0980-52-7172

Address: 3 Chome-1-18 Ōnaka, Nago-shi, Okinawa-ken 905-0017

GPS Coordinates: 26.5943188, 127.9891043

Hours: 7:00-19:30; closed Sundays & 4th Monday

Payments: Yen

Parking: Lot

The post Panchori-na appeared first on Okinawa Hai.

CONTRIBUTED BY Julia O.

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I recently had the pleasure of walking around my neighborhood on a beautiful January day and stumbled upon this café. It is now one of my favorites! What drew me in was the welcoming exterior. They have a few parking spots outside of this house turned café, with a seating area in a small garden in the back. I couldn’t resist and I was not disappointed! It is just as cute on the inside as on the outside.

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When you enter, there is a bar and some seating, but down the hall way there are two separate rooms in which you can sit as well.  It was super cozy.

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They have a full drink menu complete variety of coffee, cocoa, and teas to choose from.  I ordered a Café Au Lait and it was delicious!  I love how fresh the roasted coffee beans and Dutch drip they use.  They also have a variety of food items for breakfast and lunch, such as cinnamon toast and rice bowls and curry.  They also have desserts, one which caught my eye was pumpkin baked cheesecake that I will definitely try next time.  Check them out of Facebook!

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Frontman’s Cafe

Facebook: @frontmanscafe

Website: Tabelog

Phone: 090-5728-8518

Address: 183-s-94 Hamagawa, Chatan, Nakagami, Okinawa

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 – 17:00
Friday: 8:00 – 17:00, 19:00 – 22:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 17:00, 19:00 – 22:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
Closed Wednesdays

Payment: Yen Only

Parking: Lot

Take Out Ok!

GPS Coordinates: 26.329539, 127.749823

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CONTRIBUTED BY: semibalancedmama.blogspot.com

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The Awase area is a little known gem that is just minutes from both Kadena and Camp Foster.

It is jam packed with little eateries, restaurants, the Awase Fish Market and parks. BB coffee

opened just a few short months ago and it is quickly becoming a popular stop in Awase.

With a convenient location to Comprehensive Park, it is not taking long for both locals and

Americans to enjoy. The atmosphere is welcoming and comparable to something you would

see in any major city, but comfortable enough to feel like you are in your neighbors family

room.

It has plenty of parking and outdoor seating, which is not so common Okinawa. It also

opens at 7:00AM, which is the earliest I have ever seen a cafe open on the island. The menu is

offered in English and everything is extremely easy to understand. The owners are super nice

people who are usually present, along with their house dog Stanford.

During the hours of 7-11:00AM you can enjoy a complimentary toast and mini salad set with

the purchase of any drink (dine in only). They are also offering something called the BB Coffee

Smart Tag. With a one-time purchase of ¥1,000 you can enjoy 10% off any order for one year,

perfect for return customers.

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The hazelnut latte is one of the best, I have ever had and while we have not tried the house

shakes, I am sure they are delicious. They also offer Decaf coffee and a list of juices for those

of us who enjoy a coffee late in the day or just prefer a no caffeine option.

The food menu has quite a variety of coffee house selections. They offer many different

deserts, ranging from the homemade cookie, to a variety of yummy donuts and even a

delectable Tiramisu.

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The pizza bread is absolutely something that is on our list to try, and the

avocado toast is already a favorite.

BB Coffee is a breath of fresh air for those of us who love to explore the cafes of Okinawa. Next

time you are exploring Awase, make sure to stop into BB Coffee!

Address – 泡瀬3-12- 12, Awase, Okinawa 904-2172

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DIRECTIONS-

BB Coffee is located near the intersection of 85 and 20.

From Kadena Gate 2

 Turn right at Koza Music Center onto 330.

 Continue on 330 and take a right onto 85.

 Continue on 85 into the town of Awase.

 Turn right onto 20.

 At the first light take a Left.

 BB Coffee will be on your Left.

Website- https://www.facebook.com/bbcoffee.ohc/

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Phone- 098-989- 7212

Payment- Yen and Major Credit Cards

Hours- 7AM – 7PM Closed Wednesday

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CONTRIBUTED BY: Maria Johns

Many of you may be familiar with Bollywood Dreams, but did you know they recently opened a sister restaurant, Bollywood Jewel?

Bollywood Jewel offers a gourmet spin with a side of Indian movie flair. Their newest place is located just around the corner from Bollywood Dreams, but sets itself apart with a bright colorful atmosphere, a VIP room, and a completely new menu. The menu is modern Indian food coupled with fusion dishes. Did I mention the walls are dusted with sparkle and their screens feature Bollywood’s latest and greatest music videos?!Image may be NSFW.
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But let’s get to the important part, the food. Their menu features a variety of appetizers, curries, creative naan breads as well as an extensive drink menu featuring chai teas, lassi’s and delectable desserts. Their butter rich keema curry and butter naan is award-winning and should not be missed as well as the bacon cheese naan!

One bite of their fresh gourmet curry is an instant party in your mouth; the complexity of flavors, colors, and spices are unforgettable. I had the pleasure of sampling both the lunch and dinner sets complete with salad and naan, Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.essentially a full course meal. Best of all these curries are family friendly with the heat-level made to order. Kids will fall in love with these sweet curries and leave happy and equally in love with their buttery naan bread. Lastly, don’t forget to cool your palette down with their fruity mango and berry lassi’s!

This new spot is a must try for Indian food lover’s, come check out how Bollywood Jewel sets a high bar with their gourmet curries and creative dishes.

 Their complete menu is available on their website:

http://www.bollywood-dreams.jp/bollywood-jewel/

And be sure to check out their Facebook page for special discounts, offers, and announcements.

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 Location:

• Seaside Square A10, Mihama 9-8, Chatan

Hours:

• Sun-Thu from 11:00-22:00 (L.O 21:30)
  Fri-Sat from 11:00-22:30 (L.O 22:00)

Take-out service available.

Reservation Conditions:

-Reservations available for everyday.

-Reserved table will be held for up to 10 minutes.

-Reservations must be made one day in advance.

-Exact time and number of adults/children is required

Accepts: dollars, Yen, and card.

GPS coordinates

26.317797, 127.755614

Maria Johns

Bow & Arrow Photography

www.bowandarrowphotographystudio.com

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Contributed By: Charity L.

When my husband and I have a morning off together, we like to get out and see what new café we can find for the day. Today, we found this great coffee shop down near the seawall. It’s called, Chocolate Jesus Coffee. The name alone was intriguing, so we knew we had to check it out.

When we walked in, the décor instantly spoke to us. It was very chill and low key. There were skateboards hanging on the wall, turned into a bench seat, and used as a gate for behind the counter. There were cat images and stuffed animals giving you the finger as well. Aside from everything you see decorating the walls, a lot of the items are for sale. There are coffee mugs, stickers, and even winter caps, with hilarious, explicit writing on them. It is a really refreshing environment. The vibe really speaks to a youthful crowd, but the menu speaks to all.

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Clik here to view.Now, let’s get to the menu. You will notice the menu written on the wall to the right. For beverages, you will find hot or iced coffees, flips (which are like Frappuccino’s), and fruit juices. For food, they have sandwiches and baked goodies. My husband and I both got coffee, one Iced Americano and one hot Café Latte. They were both very good and strong.

The guys working there were very friendly. While we were enjoying our coffee, our toddler played catch with a beach ball with one of the them. This shop is a must visit.

There is only one parking spot. Be thoughtful and aware of where you are allowed to park if it is busy.

• Hours: :10:00-7:00pm everyday/ CLOSED WEDNESDAY

• Payment: Yen Image may be NSFW.
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• Location: 北谷町宮城1-760

Yomitan-son Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan

• Phone Number: 098-955-7998

• WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/Chocolate-Jesus-Coffee-1620367648232218/

• Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, go left onto 58. Get in the far-right lane and turn right at that first light. Follow that road down till you hit the second stop light. Turn left at the light. Follow that road till it splits, veering to the left. Chocolate Jesus Coffee will be down the road, on the left hand side.

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Contributed by Semibalancedmama.blogspot.com

Since moving to Okinawa we have really enjoyed finding new restaurants, especially those that are kid friendly. We recently came across Kozy’s Pizza and were thrilled with the discovery. It is located in Kitanagusku, which is easy
to get to from both Foster and Kadena. It sits on a hill and the views are quite spectacular day and night!

The building appears to be an old house and has plenty of parking behind it. When you first walk in you enter into Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.the main dining room and kitchen area. I really like that this area was separate from the “child friendly” area, so anyone would be able to eat and enjoy their meal, even without kids. If you have kids, they immediately take you back to one of the two bedrooms that have a play area and a few tables. The play areas have tents, tumbling mats, slides and a lot of toys for all ages. Everything was super clean and well taken care of. One of the rooms has a raised seating area with benches and the other room is floor tables, so be prepared for that. Both rooms have indoor shoes provided for guests. If you are going and want to take advantage of one of the kid’s rooms, I would highly recommend calling ahead. Honestly, it was so nice to have an open space for our 4 year old to run around and be goofy.

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Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.The menu has many different pizzas to choose from. They have specialty pizzas and just a cheese pizza option that you can add up to three toppings on for the included price. The menus are in English, but I noticed there were some items on the Japanese menu that were not listed on the English one. The specials are also listed in Japanese. So bring your google translate, and you are good to go! We were so happy with everything we ordered and the specialty pizzas are ones that are unique and fun to try.

The restaurant is average priced, but definitely one of the cheaper pizza places we have visited on the island. You can choose the size of pizza, ranging from a personal pizza to an XL pizza. We got one personal pizza for our son, two mediums pizzas (one specialty and one cheese with two toppings) and an order of wings and our bill was about ¥4,500.

If you are craving good pizza in a kid-friendly restaurant, Kozy’s Pizza is definitely the place to go!

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Address

沖縄県中頭郡北中城村字安谷屋638-1パークサイドテラス

＃1808

GPS Coordinates

26°17’31.3″N 127°47’34.7″E

Hours

11:30AM – 9:00PM

Last order taken at 8:00PM

Phone –

098-923-0993

Website URL

https://www.facebook.com/KozysPizzamasando/

http://kozys-pizza.com

Payment types

Yen and Major Credit Card accepted

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Dress Diner at Grand Mer Okinawa

Contributed by Louise Dupuy. https://istrikhedonia.com/

The Grand Mer Okinawa is a luxury resort nestled within Okinawa City, and only a short drive from Rycom Mall, Kitanakagusuku village, and the Okinawa Prefectural Park. But I’m not here to instill the virtues of the hotel itself, rather, I’m here to tell you about their Dress Diner, and why you should consider it for your next meal out.

The Dress Diner is a buffet style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner, sitting conveniently on the first floor of the Grand Mer. It’s next to the gift shop. Whilst parking (surprisingly) is a bit of a pain (it’s limited, you may need to park off site and down a little alley), the food selection available more than makes up for it.

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I visited on a Friday night (very popular, apparently), with my husband. Dinner is ¥2,980 from Mon-Thurs, and ¥3,500 on Fri-Sun, so it’s about mid-range as far as price goes. But what do you get? As it turns out, rather a lot. The restaurant is famous for their seafood, and in particular their crabs legs; I don’t eat seafood, so I can’t impart any wisdom on that front, but they did seem popular, as most of the other tables had a large heap of them! Luckily there are plenty of non-seafood options, though sadly no veggie/vegan friendly options, though most of you will be able to find something to please your palette. Kids? There’s a small area with kid-friendly options, or they can take from the main buffet.

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The food isn’t bad. It’s warm, full of flavor, and readily available, meaning you don’t have to stand around waiting for more food to come out. I particularly enjoyed the roast beef (not too overdone), and the stroganoff (hearty and flavorsome). There’s also a dessert bar, which is arguably the best part of any meal. I of course tried a little bit of everything (my job is so hard sometimes) just so I could give you, dedicated readers, a fair appraisal. So it’s all good… Well it is, but if you pressed me to choose, I’d go with the matcha cake (not for everyone, but I do love me some green tea), strawberry cake (light and fluffy, and topped with fresh strawberries), and the banana mousse (in case you didn’t think heaven came in mousse form).

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Let’s talk drinks shall we? Of all the buffets I’ve ever been to (and trust me, I’ve been to a lot), this one had the best drinks selection by a country mile. Soft and alcoholic are included in the price, so make sure you aren’t the designated driver (if you’re old enough to drink). You’ll get to choose from sake (different varieties), beer (Orion, also more than one variety), red wine, white wine, and what I would call alcopops (I’m British and over 30), or what the Japanese call “Chu Hai”. The latter is what I opted for. I chose the grape version, and it just tasted like fruit juice, which is simultaneously brilliant and disastrous, because I could drink it all night and forget it had alcohol in it (in other words, it’s not very hangover friendly). If you’re designated driver/ underage/ just not much of a drinker, good news! The soft selection is just as plentiful! Fruit juices, sodas, coke, iced tea, iced coffee, and hot versions of the latter two mean you’re spoiled for choice.

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Finally, let’s talk about times and prices. If you want to grab breakfast, be there between 0600-1030, and it’ll cost you: adult (12 years old and up) ¥1,300, child (6-11 years old) ¥700, and children (3-5 years old) ¥500. Lunch? Starting at 1115 and ending at 1500 (1115-1530 on weekends), it’ll set you back: adult (12 years old and up) ¥1,980, child (6-11 years old) ¥700, and children (3-5 years old) ¥500. Tea time is 1500-1730, though sadly I can’t find prices for this (safe bet that it’s roughly the same as lunch though). And finally, we already mentioned dinner but I’ll remind you, it starts at 1800 and ends at 2200, and costs: adult (16 years old and up) ¥3,500 from Mon-Thurs, ¥2,980 on Fri-Sun, child (12-15 years old) ¥2,500, child (6-11 years old) ¥1,500, and children (3-5 years old) free. Seating capacity is 252, credit card and yen cash are accepted, and you can reserve your spot by calling 098-931-1585 (between 0930 and 1930).

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Intrigued? Check out their website for more info and menu’s: http://www.okinawa-grandmer.com/en/dressdiner.php.

In conclusion, it’s worth a look at least once. It’s a nice spot for a romantic meal, or would work well for a business meeting or a dining out date for groups of friends. It’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible, a great choice for fam

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Feliz Coffee

Contributed by Charity L.

There is no shortage of great places to eat at American Village. When it comes to early mornings though, the choices are limited. There is a new place that just opened last month, that is the answer to your morning breakfast dilemma. Feliz Coffee is your stop for great coffee, delicious breakfast, and a spacious atmosphere.  They offer Hot and Iced Teas, Lattes, Iced Coffees, Fruit Juices, beer, and Granitas. Don’t know what a Granita is? Order one! It will not disappoint.

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No matter what your breakfast carb of choice is, Feliz Coffee has you covered. If you like waffles, try the Feliz Waffle. It is three waffle stacked high, with whipped cream, strawberries and peaches. If that sounds too sweet, choose a more savory option, like the Bacon and Cheese Waffle. This one is stacked like a sandwich; sunny side egg on top.  Are you more of a pancake person? If so, you must try the Coconut and Macadamia Nut Sauce Pancakes. Come enjoy this hungry, because this tower of perfection will fill you up. As I enjoyed this stack, I found a pleasant surprise in the middle holding the stack together. A chocolate Pocky, which my son snatched quickly from me, was melting in the middle, giving this already deliciously sweet breakfast, that much more goodness. There is also French Toast, biscuits, and muffins, with an assortment of flavors, like Earl Grey.Image may be NSFW.
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As I looked over the menu, one item caught my eye, but I could not justify ordering it at 8am. I made a second trip a couple nights later, just so I could order the cake set! It is three mini squares of cake, one Chocolate Fudge, one Cheesecake, and the other was a light lemon flavor.
This is when I also ordered the Granita. Yes, I went all out. This place is great. Feliz Coffee even sells coffee mugs and espresso cups and saucers.

There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If there is entertainment going on at night, sit outside and Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.enjoy a front row seat. Its location is very convenient , so parking is no problem.

Phone: 098-989-1535

Payment: Yen and Cards

FREE WIFI

Hours: 7am-8pm

Parking: The lot across from the Aeon is a close option.

Address: 1F Carnival Park Mihama, 15-69 Mihama, Chatan-Cho American Village

Directions: From Kadena Gate 1, go left onto 58. Follow it down until you see the Ferris Wheel. Take that right.

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Clik here to view.    WaGyu-Café Kapuka

by Jam Kirby Rimando

My husband and I make it a habit to visit new dining places here in the island. We were supposed to dine somewhere else when we stumbled upon WaGyu-Café Kapuka. It was definitely love at first sight! This place will catch your fancy because the façade of the café is decorated with resort-like lounge seats and canopies. And what’s more amazing is that the WaGyu-Café Kapuka is situated near the beach so you get to enjoy a nice view while you’re having your fill.

It was cold and windy the day we went there so we decided to dine inside, which was not a disappointment because the interior of the café is another feast for the eyes. Plants were everywhere – from ceilings to walls. And an open view of the beach from the huge glass windows gives the place a nice tone.

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Another thing to appreciate in WaGyu-Café Kapuka is their bar, which makes sense because they offer a huge selection of beverages.

Now let’s get down to business – food. To start, they offer a variety of salads and soups. They have beef, uncured ham, roast beef, green avocado salad and fried avocado egg. If those didn’t entice you maybe their entrée will. They have different kinds of WaGyu beef that come with rice, freshly baked bread and coffee when you order. They also serve brunch meals until 3 in the afternoon. You can choose from steak, roast beef, salad bowl and French toast. Their dessert is another matter because you’ll definitely want to order all of them. They have French toast with vanilla ice cream and fruits, mix fruits with pudding brulee, ice cake ice cream with red beans and black sugar sauce, organic coffee jelly with ice cream, and rice cake with green tea and vanilla ice cream. They also have a huge selection of drinks. They have organic coffee, smoothies, sodas, beers, mojitos, wines, whiskies, shochu and of course sake.

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My husband ordered their brunch French toast and I got the French toast with vanilla ice cream and fruits. My goodness, they did not disappoint. The food is as delicious as the place is as lovely. You have to try it for yourself to know exactly what I’m gushing about. You’ll thank me afterwards I’m sure.

Location Name: WaGyu-Café Kapuka

Address: 904-0115 Okinawa Prefecture, Nakagami District, Chatan, Mihama

Phone number: +81 98-923-5010

Website: wagyu-café.com

Hours: Opens daily from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Payment: Accepts credit cards

Driving Directions: From the commissary gate of Camp Foster, take 58 north then turn left to proceed to American Village. From there, head to Hilton Hotel. WaGyu-Café Kapuka is located behind Hilton Hotel beach-side.

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iI Gastro Sara

iI Gastro Sara, contributed by Jenifer G.

Initial Impressions

iI Gastro Sara, in Onna, Okinawa Japan, is excellent for a date night, girls’ night out, visiting friends, special occasion or for a foodie. There are so many restaurants on Okinawa and when I come across one that really distinguish itself, I have to rave about it.

I went there with a couple of girlfriends and was blown away by the decor and layout of the restaurant. The entrance is setup like a boutique storefront with local items for sale and the kitchen is open air which promotes confidence in the preparation of dishes.  The open dinning room has rustic elegance with French-Japanese fusion ambiance and attention to the finest details. In addition to the interior is the hillside location which provides an expansive view of Onna Bay making it the perfect sunset location. Seems like the large patio was not setup for dining when we visited due to weather, but it appears they serve outdoors when it is warm.

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The food

iI Gastro Sara offers a la carte, and they offer impressive set menu options as well.  You can select the chef and scale of your set course furthermore they will personalize each dish for you.  Prices range from 3000-8000 yen and seems to be inline with the quality of food you receive.  If you are requesting a set course, call ahead, speak to the staff and let them know which set course you would like.

We ordered a set course for 3000 yen and they offered excellent vegetarian options for my friend. The friendly staff served us fresh baked bread and we chose from several options for each of our three courses.  Menu options are updated every couple of weeks to feature fresh, local ingredients and new dishes. Food is display is especially relevant since its professionally and beautifully displayed like a work of art. Their staff are gracious, knowledgeable, spoke English well, and the menu is easy to read.  The service was among the best we have had on Okinawa hence my feeling tha this is among the top tiered dining experiences on the Island.

I highly recommend iI Gastro Sara !

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Website: http://www.obn-sara.com

Phone: 098-987-7688

Payment: Yen or credit card

Hours:  Tuesday-Sunday: 11:30am-3pm, 6-10pm.  Closed on Monday.

Address:  皿の上の自然 il Gastro Sara, 〒904-0414 沖縄県恩納村 国頭郡 前兼久466-7

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Pizza Sun, American style Pizza, By Meredith Barber

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pizza sun

Although it was a rainy day in Okinawa and the sun was not out on the day we visited Pizza Sun, our dinner there was most definitely the bright spot in our day.

Pizza Sun is located in American Village and offers a wide variety of pizza, calzones, appetizers and salads. Their pizzas come in three sizes (Large = 16 inches, Medium = 14 inches, Small = 10 inches) and a large selection of flavors. The pizzas are “California Style” and the crust was crispy and a little chewy and held up to the toppings without being soggy. My husband and I got the medium Genovese Pizza and it was enough for both of us to have 2 slices plus 4 slices leftover. A medium will definitely feed 2-3 adults. The Genovese had a great pesto sauce and fresh tomatoes that added an acidity and lightness to the rich sauce and cheese. Pizza Sun offers classics like Cheese, Margherita, and Pepperoni (their best selling pizza) as well as some unique flavors like Seafood pizza and Southern BBQ Chicken.

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The appetizer and salad selection also offers something for everyone. We enjoyed the avocado salad—the greens were dressed perfectly in the house vinaigrette and the avocado was creamy and delicious. They also have a bacon Caesar salad and a traditional Caprese. For an appetizer we had the fried scallops—five large scallops that were cooked perfectly and served with a black pepper aioli. Other appetizer options are house made Lumpia, fried pickles, garlic knots, and Crack Dip—a combination of sausage, cheese and salsa which is just delicious.

Pizza Sun offers vegan and gluten free options on their menu as well. Daily lunch and Café Hour specials are also available. During Café Hours, they make 32 slices of pepperoni pizza and sell them for 300 Yen each, while they last. Café Hours are from 1400 to 1600 and Orion Draft is 500 Yen and a glass of house wine is 200 Yen. A 15% discount is offered on all pizzas all day on Sunday.

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Although the a kid’s menu is available,  it’s not in the printed menu. Be sure to ask about the options—most of which are 500 Yen and served with a drink. My kids had the cheese pizza and loved it. The pizza was a really good size and was served quickly.Image may be NSFW.
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The staff here is very friendly and spoke good English. They were welcoming and the environment was laid back and relaxing. Seating is available inside and outside and a large variety of craft beer is offered in addition to wine, liquor, and Orion draft.

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If you are looking for a great place to relax with family and friends and have some dinner and drinks, I’d recommend giving them a try! Also, if you need something sweet, they’ve opened a Portuguese Bake Shop in the same building so make sure you save room for dessert.

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Where: 904-0115 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Chatan-chō, 9−17 ATS Chatan 2-1 (American Village, close to the Sega arcade and bowling alley)

Phone: 098-936-0042

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PizzaSunOkinawa/

Prices: Most appetizers and salads are under 1000 Yen. Pizzas range from 1400 to 3800 Yen, depending on type and size. Cards and Yen accepted—a small processing fee is added for credit cards.

Hours: Open every day 1100 to 2200

Indian Cuisine and Curry At Bollywood Jewel Indian Restaurant, Chatan, Okinawa

Maruki’s Wood Fired Pizza

Kokopelli’s Pizza

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Ryukyu BBQ Blue at Kafuu Resort Fuchaku

by Jam Kirby

Delicious food. Top-notch services.  Amazing view. You are treated to these and so much more when you dine at Ryukyu BBQ Blue in Kafuu Resort Fuchaku.

The restaurant is located at the 12^th floor of the new annex building of the resort. The moment you are arrive at the top floor, you will be greeted with a rooftop infinity pool on your right and the barbecue restaurant with a panoramic view of the ocean on your left. Kafuu Resort Fuchaku definitely knows how to make a great first impression.

Ryukyu BBQ Blue serves breakfast from 6:30 to 10:00, lunch from 11:30 to 15:00 and dinner from 18:00 to 23:00. For lunch, you can choose between Asian buffet and course meal, while you get to select among their fine choices of barbecues, meats and grilled seafood for dinner.

We arrived there for lunch and ordered the beef bottom flap rubbed with various herbs and the roast beef bowl with yuzu citrus. It actually took us awhile to decide on what to order because we wanted to try everything! With our meal, we got to enjoy their appetizer, dessert and beverage buffet. To say that everything we have eaten is delicious is an understatement!

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Myloplus Cafe Contributed by: foodYing

Okinawa is known to have many cafes located in random locations everywhere on the island. I highly recommend searching for them when you have a chance.
I happened to be in the Sunabe area this time, so had the opportunity to eat lunch with my friend at the Myloplus cafe.
The Myloplus cafe is located on the second floor of a 4 story building. You will climb up a small set of stairs first and then you will need to pass the apparel store and salon located on the first floor to get to another set of stairs, which will take you to the 2nd floor.
When you walk in, there are large windows with a great ocean view. To your left, the kitchen, some tables, and a 2nd story loft, where you can also sit. To the right (no pictures), a few more tables.

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One cool thing about the cafés on Okinawa is that each of them has their own personalities, styles, and foods.

This particular cafe has a very simple menu and a few selection of dishes. They also provide kid’s plate. We ordered the “Pasta Set” and “Palte Set” (they meant to write plate). Image may be NSFW.
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Pasta Set – Shrimp + Carrot, cream pasta (also came with a bowl of salad)

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Plate Set – Chicken

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Dessert and Drink that comes with the Sets – Cheesecake + Grapefruit juice (have other selections available for drinks.

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Portions were perfect for us, where we got to enjoy our meals without overstuffing ourselves. The atmosphere/ambience is great and we go seated next to the window, which just made it even better. Because they are located on the 2^nd floor, you are able to look over the seawall and see the ocean. The sunset view from there must be amazing. Image may be NSFW.
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Address : 〒904-0113 Okinawa-ken, Nakagami-gun, Chatan-chō, Miyagi, 1-64

Directions: Google Maps

From American Village, head north on highway 58. Turn left at the Sunagawa intersection, where there is a Family Mart and a restaurant called “American American” on your left. Go straight down, heading west, all the way until you get to the seawall. Stay along the seawall for about a 3-5 min drive or 10 min walk (750m) and the cafe building will be located on your right. Recommend parking if you see a space along the seawall.

Hours: 11:00AM – 24:00AM

Phone: 098-926-5225

Website URL: https://www.facebook.com/myloplus.cafe/

Payment types available: cash (yen only), credit card

Breeze Cafe Sea Glass-Best Place For A Treat On The Seawall

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Vongo & Anchor contributed by Maria Johns

If you’re looking for the perfect cup of coffee with that signature beautiful foam design paired with a baked treat or toasty panini, Vongo & Anchor is your choice.

I love it when restaurants put their customers in mind, you can tell by their decor, style, and most of all, the food, how much care was put into this gem of a place. Vongo & Anchor left nothing to chance from the neatly and beautifully hand-written chalkboard signs to the wood cutting boards lining every corner; no spot was left untouched. The dried flowers hanging from the ceiling give the perfect welcoming ambiance. Every corner is a unique display! If you’re eyeing every detail on the wall, pining away for some of their hand-crafted wood cutting boards… good news they sell their beautifully curated items in the house!

Vongo & Anchor’s menu is filled with a variety of gourmet panini sandwiches, smoothies, a wide range of coffees, and freshly baked goods. Their store features ceramics mugs, beautiful cutting boards, and olive oil dispensers.

If their delicious food wasn’t enough to convince you, Vongo & Anchor has a coveted spot on the waterfront in the American Village area. They have ample seating sufficient to host a group with additional seating outside. Their industrial farmhouse feeling paired with their perfect cup of coffee makes this place unforgettable. Do not miss this gem of a waterfront cafe!

Hours: Mon-Sunday 9:00-10:00pm
closed on Wednesdays
Friday-Saturday 8:00-10:00pm

Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and coffee
Services
Good For Groups
Good For Kids
Outdoor Seating
Takes Reservations
Take Out
Walk-Ins Welcome
website: http://vongoandanchor.coffee
Location: Mihama, Okinawa

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Front man’s Cafe, Chatan, Okinawa

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