There are places you are certain you will love long before you step in and experience it for real. Lisbon Cafe was one of those for me. Secretly situated in the heart of the business-shirt-and-tie district of Yodoyabashi, it reminded me in mini memories of a sign hidden inside the adorably ancient Atlanta Hotel in Bangkok stating something like, “You don't know why you never knew how to get here, but you will never lose your way back”.
You duck your head as you walk in through a mini door antique-y, pause in time almost as you smile at the garden gnome at your feet, and an immediate sense of morning stillness fills you. It is the perfect escape size peaceful, away from the 8:00am. morning rush on Midousuji, the seasonal heat, or the daily unknown of rainy season downfalls. Japanese magazines of gourmet use adjectives like “nostalgic” and “retro” to emphasize the 48-year historical glow and “step back in time” you feel, and indeed the crackle of eggs cooking took me back to my favourite Nanna memory sleepovers of childhood.
The beautifully-slow paced Osaka-ben talk of the everyday locals filter in as you admire the old-school ham and egg toast cut up into six bite-sized pieces in the MORNING set for 450 yen. Drinking your hot steamy tea, or the foundational “AMERIKAN” coffee, the mellow-yellow soft lighting makes smiles appear suddenly, and shoulders to relax into the present moment. The tiny chairs cushion-y and low, and encrusted with the LISBON logo bird so bold, is another gem reminder of another era somehow, where wholesome goodness meant everything.
If you are extra lucky, you might even spy the grandpa wisdom cat famous who glides in and out. When I first visited last week, I didn't get that opportunity, but I was shown deep kindness. The rain from the typhoon was teasing me in its absolute consistency and didn't want to stop. I was so refreshingly offered an umbrella to use by the friendly man behind the counter. He laughed when I told him I couldn't ride a bicycle, and balance an umbrella at the same time; a trait most Japanese people seem so very able to cope with. Instead I bowed politely in thanks, and said I would come back on a sunshine day. A tiny interaction, but a nice memory. As much as I love my local StarBucks, family run places have a charm unique don't you think?
Lisbon Coffee House
Open 7:30 – 5:00 pm. Monday to Friday (CLOSED on Public Holidays).
HOW to get there:
Take the Keihan or Subway Midousuji lines to Yodoyabashi station and take Exit 11. Walk one block down Midousuji street toward Namba and turn left. Go down two blocks and then turn right. It's on the left hand side.
Alternatively, take Exit 2 from Yodoyabashi station and walk straight down Midousuji street toward Namba. Admire the river, the old Nakanoshima library, the feminine sculptures and leafy moods. Once you see the large street sign in English for Doshoumachi (VERY clear), turn left. Follow the instructions as above.
Take a look at the map (in Japanese) if you need a print out.
ps.
Take a peek at the Atlanta Hotel too if you like. You won't be disappointed.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment