XAYMACA -Roots Raggae Restaurant Bar

I found this place just before I left for Tokyo! Haha. A lovely acquaintance gave me the tip. Sooo, if you enjoy roots reggae music and want to try Jamaican food, this is a great place! It's a bit out of the way from the usual busy areas in Okayama city, so unless you are specifically seeking out reggae music or Jamaican food, you'd probably miss this. Damn, if I'd only known of this place earlier...

Anyway, now YOU know about it, so DO go and check it out. The reggae CD mix the owner put on was REAL good stuff and I was considering asking if I could buy it from him -but then I hesitated and didn't. SIGH. Always be BOLD, and you might get what you want. hehe.

The guy who runs the place is a bit of a scrawny fellow, but I really liked his beard and long hair. Hmm. I think I like any Japanese guy with long hair and a beard...something about it...gives off a sexy yet eccentric vibe or something(not the bums though folks, come on now)!


Here's how you get to Xaymaca....

When you exit from Okayama station this time, take the exit opposite the fountain exit. I think it's the west exit. Anyway, get out from there and look for the mini-mini guy as pictured above. Cross the street towards that way at the streetlights.

Next, take a right towards the CoCo Curry House. Pass by it and keep going straight.

You'll eventually see Aoji Ent Clinic, yup, keep going straight pass that.

Next you'll come up upon the Malet shop. Keep going straight pass that.

You'll eventually see the restaurant Zale on your left. That means you're getting close to the shopping arcade that Xaymaca is located in.

Pay attention, and you'll see this arcade on your left. There's a streetlight right in front of this shopping arcade. So basically after you pass the restaurant Zale and you see the streetlights, the shopping arcade is just on your left.

Go straight all the way down the arcade, it's a bit of a walk. Xaymaca is located near the end of the arcade.

Along the way, you'll pass by this Takoyaki shop. It seems to be quite popular with the locals, so it's probably real good. I didn't stop to try it though.

When you see this Momotaro scenario above, it means you're nearly there.

When you see this stand, you've found it!

Enter, it's a dark narrow pathway, and the restaurant bar is at the end of it.

When I went there, I tried the Ital Soup(pumpkin soup), which was amazing -well honestly, pretty plain and you probably wouldn't like it, but I loved it because it is VERY similar to Hmong people's pumpkin soup! Yum yum!

For the main course, I tried the "Jerk Chicken". This was GOOOOOD and SPIIIIICY. The chef actually recommended it for me but if I had more time and a bottomless pit tummy, I'd try everything on the menu! Guess experimenting with the food on the menu will be up to you guys in Okayama now, you'll have to tell me all about it!

ENJOY!

Open: 6pm - 2am M - F Closed: Sunday

You can find their website here.

Unmarble Cafe (アンマーブル カフェ)

Omelette rice dish(omuraisu)...maybe only in Okayama? Haven't found any in Kanto ever.

If you're in Japan for a time, you'll soon notice that when you go out to eat, there are some places where men go, and some places where women go. You'll notice a lot more men at places like Yoshinoya than women. Meanwhile, most Japanese men wouldn't be caught dead at a fanciful sweets cafe shop, and if you ever eat at a pasta place, you'll rarely see any men there either. Maybe men in Japan don't eat pasta or sweets? If you feel brave enough as a guy to eat at a sweets cafe or pasta place on your own, I applaud you, it's a rare occurrence here! I think, I think, that you might not enter Unmarble Cafe on your own though... Well, no ifs ands or buts about it, Unmarble Cafe is a woman's domain. I have seen one or two guys at this place but they were definitely there with a girl. Once however, the universe became really out of wack when I actually spotted two guys there, by themselves! Yes, mind-boggling... Okay! Here's how you get there...

If you come from Okayama Station and walk down Momotaro Dori(road) you will see a huge Mc Donald's on a corner on the right side of the street. Take a right at the Mc Donald's.

Go straight and very shortly you'll pass by Fujicolor shop on your right side.

Right after the Fujicolor shop, you'll see the Takashimaya Department store on your right. Keep going straight.

You'll see a Family Mart convenience store on your right and if you look ahead, you will see the Karaoke Studio Bun 2. Walk straight towards that building(about four - five short blocks).

Yep, just keep going straight until you see the Seven-Eleven convenience store on the corner on your right.

And then, cross the street towards the store Malibu and prepare to take a left, crossing the street again.

Go straight down this sidewalk.

You'll see the red Park & Bus Ride on your left across the street.

And very shortly you'll see this small purse boutique called Wagon, on your right. Unmarble Cafe is found just a few seconds after you pass this boutique.

The store Earth.Music.Ecology is on the first floor, and you can find Unmarble Cafe on the second floor up the spiraling steps! By the way, my personal favorite and what I'd recommend, is the salmon(I think they changed it to shrimp now) sandwich, it is to die for! It's only served during dinner hours though!

ENJOY!

Open: 11:00AM - midnight and you can find their website here.

Bonsai Izakaya (盆歳)

Tempura Fugu(Blow Fish)

Who lives in Japan and doesn't enjoy going out to an Izakaya? It's the place to be when you go out to socialize with a group of friends or colleagues. At an Izakaya you can order small dishes according to the menu or you could also order a 'set course' which includes 'nomihodai' (all you can drink) for around 3000 Yen to 5000 Yen(or more depending on where you go). The Izakaya style meal is a very traditional or classic Japanese way -meaning you eat a little bit of this, and you eat a little bit of that, as each food item is brought out to your table. It's great! There are so many different Izakaya sprinkled throughout every corner of Japanese cities, there are big chain Izakaya that you can commonly find, and then, there are Izakaya that you will only find one of...which brings me to my blog post topic -Bonsai.

It's easy to spot, just look for this glass case with the tiny bonsai tree display.

Be careful at the entry way -if you are not under five feet, you will need to watch your head. You will also be asked to take off your shoes at the entrance. The restaurant will provide you with slippers -I think. Anyway, at most Izakaya, it is common to take off your shoes. Do not make the mistake of just walking in with your shoes on! You'll look silly, and you'll horrify them. LOL. Don't worry too much if you forget though, they won't be mean about it or kick you out.

Most traditional Izakaya are dim-lit, very rowdy, lively, crowded and electric in atmosphere. Bonsai, meanwhile, in a unusual twist, has a cafe-like atmosphere! It's a very interesting dynamic, because it is very much a traditional Izakaya, but due to the interior design and layout -with a light iridescence and bright, but not too bright lights -it feels like the daytime! It really does trick your senses. Meanwhile, in a similar way, there is also a twist with the food, it's indeed very traditional Japanese food, but there is definitely an experimental element -almost fusion but not quite. Let me tell ya, the food served here, ....just marvelous! If you like amazing food when you go out, this is the place for you. It also seems to be the place for everyone else too! You'll have to book a reservation a few weeks in advance! If you don't come with a big group, I highly recommend sitting at the bar where you can see the chefs preparing food in the open kitchen -it's fascinating to see them in action.

Oh, and the final and most compelling part of the Bonsai experience is saved for last. It's a bit like pudding, and in one word, heavenly. After the first bite, all I could do was smile.


How to get to Bonsai? From Okayama station on the fountain side, just walk straight down Momotaro Dori(road), pass Nishigawa river(canal), and turn right when you see the Antique Cafe that's on your right. You can follow the exact directions that I gave in yesterday's post on how to get to Raccos Burger. It's about a block or half a block from Raccos, or basically kitty-corner from Raccos. It'll be on your right and you'll see it once you pass the love hotel Clione.

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

Raccos Burger

Some days, when Freshness Burger or Mos Burger just doesn't quite hit the spot and you need something, well,... more. Well, look no further ya'll, there's Raccos Burger baby. Oh, and if you like guacamole, this is the place! There's a guacamole burger, of course a Raccos burger, a sloppy joes style chili-burger(my favorite food as a kid), and lots more on the menu! DO try the tortilla's with guacamole -you won't regret it. And if for some reason you really can't eat a burger -the tofu salad is excellent! Anyway, do NOT miss out on this special place when in Okayama City(A.K.A. "the Peach!" A.K.A. "Momotaroland" A.K.A. "Da OKAY" A.K.A."_____________"?). Here's how to get to Raccos Burger via your feet(about a 15 minute walk)...

Exit Okayama Station, and the first thing you'll probably notice is the fountain. That means you are on the correct side of the station! If you don't see the fountain, you are on the wrong side.

Okay, from the fountain area, you'll want to cross the street towards the big Bic Camera store. Then take a right, and walk just a bit more until you see the street tram area.

Walk towards the tram stop area, cross the road and pass the tram stop to reach the other side of the street. Then take a left.

Go straight, and you'll immediately see a Mc Donald's at the end of the (short) block on your right.

Keep walking straight, and shortly you'll see a Freshness Burger coming up.

Next, you basically just keep walking forever(about one or two long blocks) and eventually you will see this fancy koban(police box) on your right which sits over the Nishigawa river(more like a canal). This is the half-way mark, so you're getting closer! Continue walking straight and pass this police box(cross the street).

As you continue walking on, in about one or two long blocks(sorry, didn't keep count on how many blocks it is), you'll see the above Antique Cafe on the corner on your right. This is when you would take a right...

You'll see this street as you turn the corner. Go straight down this street.

And you'll see Spry Hair barber shop on your left.

You'll pass Hair Craft Neo salon on your right.

In about three - four short blocks, you'll come to this streetlight, and you'll see the Okamura Building. If you look up, you'll see the gorilla climbing the building. Can you see him hanging up there on the building in the above picture? Good. From here, take a left.

Go straight, meanwhile you'll see this student study center on your right.

And finally, as you keep walking, in only one (short) block, there it is, on your left, Raccos Burger!

The owner and his boys. And naturally, these guys are in a quasi-famous punk-rock band. Pick up a punk-rock magazine at Tower Records and you'll figure it out.

Aaaand, if you're lucky, you'll run into the lovely -bartender/waitress/cook! She's my personal favorite, a real sweet and awesome lady.

ENJOY

Open hours: 10:00 - midnight and go here for their website.