Visited here today for the first time. Nothing better than a curry after snorkeling, huh?! Better after than before!

It was the lunch buffet time (11ish) 790 Yen.

Selection of curries. There was the Indian style bean curry (like lentil Dal). The spicy garlicky chicken curry (which was not spicy), the Thai chicken (which was not labeled as spicy but had me choking for air, meanwhile Candice (my partner in snorkeling and lunch) ate it like it was nothing!). There were a few others with pork and beef so I didn't have them. Drinks were iced tea or water. There were french fries as a side and basic salad (lettuce and dressing). Dessert was plain yogurt and fruit (yum).

It was packed with locals and the terrace is right on the sea wall so nice view of divers, etc.

Would I go here again? Oh yes, it was a great price and I love curry (not the best, but were talking buffet here). Great for lunch or just after a swim, etc.

Directions: Off of 23, head south on 58, take the first right (hamagawa intersection), go straight down to the sea wall, take a right, go along seawall, look for the yellow building on right, fab curry is on 2nd floor.

I went here last Saturday night with Albert (that's the husband!). We had a Parents' Night Out. I don't think this would have been on the agenda had I not won an MCCS raffle with gift cards to the place (took a PCS tour of San A supermarket). We were pleasantly surprised. The ambience was cool, nice and dark, practically candlelit. Although Albert did say it was a bit too dark (as he scrunched his eyes to read the menu). We were served by a lovely old lady, seriously, she must have been at least 80. I wanted to swap with her and tell her to sit down and relax, but she probably had more energy than most people half her age! Including me!

The service was excellent throughout. We got some sweet bread, a 'wicked' curry soup, SO GOOD and a salad. Albert had the lobster and steak. I had the salmon with pasta. I wasn't going to get it since I saw it was farmed and imported but I couldn't see anything else I wanted. More chemicals I am sure, but oh well, it was Saturday night and time to PAAARRRTTTYYYYYY (not!)

For drinks we had virgin cocktails that came in cups you could keep, so April gets a shark and Loubie gets a shisa dog...

Afters (or dessert!) was the coconut creme pie, oh yummy, filled my tummy. I couldn't finish everything. I would have been happy with the soup and salad...

The bill came to $86 but most was paid with my cool raffle win!

There were a few families there with kids and babies. Some of the babies were freaked out by the decor. Funny skulls and puffer fish lamps. We got there at 7pm and it was half full. Half hour later the place was ram-a-jam. Yeah, this is a popular place and advertised everywhere. If you want to hang with the locals, this isn't the place to go. But, for what it's worth, I would recommend it! If only for the curry soup!

When we left we got some more coupons for 500 yen (2 of them) but I think you can only use one at a time. Anyone else been here recently?

Night was finished off with a DVD (into the wild) L O N G, so we had to pause to pick the kids up. Cool movie though. Not sure why I am still blabbering on! Byesibye for now!

I have heard about this cafe numerous times, but didn't go there 'til a couple of months ago. I was taking photos of kickboxing extraordinaire, Reggie, who was staying with us for a month. We stopped off here for a quick bite. It was about 11am, there was noone in there. It is really small, the owner is realy nice and the place had a cozy (h)earthy feel to it!

Here are some photos:

 April had a teddy bears picnic there...

Here's ReggieWith his #1 fanSome yummy pancakesAll finished up!

Prices are average for out here. It is on the North end of the Sunabe seawall before the rd curves to go up to Baba dolphin park.

You may easily walk past this place and dismiss it, it doesn't have the greatest 'curb appeal'. However, if you do, you'll be missing out on some cool, CHEAP, food. They have a huge photo menu of various noodles and curries. There is a regular seating area and a tatami area. The drinks are limited. Ice tea or coke. My favourite is the egg/vegetable stir fried rice (no ham) and the chicken cutlet curry. The kids love the soy noodles and the sweet and sour chicken. Albert will eat anything from there! This place is busy with locals and others alike so you know it is good!

I will post a photo later.

Directions: from Foster commissary gate, take a right. Then Left at CowCow car dealership. Dragon is on your left halfway down the st. From Kadena area, go down the 58, past the Hamby Mall, keep going, you're almost there, take a right at CowCow (right b4 Foster commisary gate) and follow the above directions. If you go there, give me a wave, I live right opposite!

Here is a great place Carl and I checked out today:

I love pasta. If I could chose one style of cooking to eat for the rest of my life it would have to be Italian food. Except there is one better: Italian food with Okinawa flair. Just check out the menu:

Doesn't that look good? They also offer a lunch menu with a pasta of the day. Today was Spaghetti with broccoli and charizo sauce. I bit of a strange combination that I resisted trying:)

They will start you out with a beef consume, then your entree. I ordered a mushroom salad. They mushrooms  were tossed in the pan right quick and then put over a bed of fresh, delicious salad, spinach, endives and whatever else was on there. Then I had the "Classic Pasta". Carl had some bread  with different toppings as an appetizer and the "Pasta of bacon and eggs" as his entree.

You can choose between three different pasta styles; spaghetti, penne, or linguini. You also choose between regular and large size. We ordered the large, but I was not able to finish my plate. Parmesan is grated fresh at the table.

The staff is English speaking and very friendly.They make their own pasta fresh daily.

It was absolutely delicious and I will be a regular at this place.

Here are the opening hours:

The seating area and kitchen:

Pizza and wine menu:

Now to the directions:

First of the "easy" way for people that have lived here a while:

go towards Torri Station the red bridge route. Turn into the new shopping center just before the Starbucks. It's in building to your right.

Now the "difficult" version for people that are new or have not ventured into our neck of the woods.

From Kadena Gate 1 make a right on 58 going north. Pass Kadena Marina, pass Navel Kadena, pass a Pachinko Parlor. Make a left at the light with the pedestrian overpass. At the second light follow the road to your left and down. Go over the red bridge. Keep going until you see a Starbucks on your left. Turn before the Starbucks, park in front of the building to your right.

Voila....enjoy:)

Life is different here. Life can be like (as Caz says), a 'permanent vacation'...and with vacations come photos, lots of them. And eating out at sidewalk or beach front cafes. I don't think I would be blogging about a cafe in the states, but here it seems appropriate. I have been meaning to post more about this place for a while. Not only is it round the corner from me, it has the most 'wicked' view from their full on window in the back. It has a funky, eclectic but relaxed vibe, the pancakes are good (I'm not really a pancake person, but there hit the spot!). They also have pizza and spaghetti on their ever expanding menu. The herbal teas are lovely and mostly, the owner, is really nice and laid back (she has no problem with 2 crazy kids, like mine!). There are some really great art books to browse through whilst you sip that tea. Soon, my photos will be on the wall for a mini exhibition. That I am excited about, it's like being back in London, sort of.

Everyone can relax here...

Owner, Masae Tsujimura...

After, you can head out for a walk/ride/scooter along the seawall...NICE!