BAGEL and BAGEL b & b
On a quick visit to Melbourne recently to meet two of my gutsiest Virgoan friends, I finally found my way to the deliciously humming Brunswick Street that was long, long overdue.
It was like being in New Delhi for the first time when all your senses are automatically turned on, and you almost forget to breathe because you have fallen in love instantaneously, immediately and intentionally. Or early morning walking with the mist on Charles Bridge in Prague, or on safari in the Serengeti and feeling completely like you have always meant to go there.
My old High school friend Lee, had texted my Dad's phone before I left NSW, claiming, “You gotta go 2 Brunswick St. Tram 112 from CBD. You'll love it JJ. You'll love it. C ya @ 5. ”
The absolute way good friends know me, get me, and direct me to places that possess all the greatest adjectives of mood, depth and mingled human spice is priceless. It is the people that make places come alive. It is the people of a place that draw me in with their smiles beautiful, fashion confidence original, personalities ablaze, and self awareness switched on with the most natural allure. It is the people, always the characters you randomly meet, who make those small talk comments that brighten your day exponentially.
(Airport shuttle bus driver Nigel from Sydney, quickly comments after looking at my schoolboy necktie and pearls, red fishnets and beret, vintage fake fur and silver boot CONS, "You'll fit right into Brunswick Street love. Right in.")
Of course it is the same here in Japan. As much as I love the dynamic power of Tokyo, and the calm, centering undercurrents of Kyoto, Osaka has a unique recipe that resonates within me in all answerings of YES.
People watching spaces all about the city let you peek in to the right now of 'ryuukou' (What's 'in', what's hot, and what's happening), and if you tune your ears, you might nonchalantly pick up some newly fashioned Osaka-ben (dialect) unknown. Watch how people use body language to convey meaning, colours to express mood and creativity, and I-pods to perfect the inner city gait.
A lively, powerful and popular place in Umeda to watch the way of people is Bagel and Bagel. Flavour of the month bagel specials, and a complete menu page colourful can be found here (in Japanese).
Savory bagel tastes include sesami, 15 grain, white poppyseed, onion, and soy milk with green soybeans. Sweeter combinations include blueberry, cinnamon raison, maple with walnuts, cocoa with white chocolate, and the Japanesey green tea with white chocolate. All single bagels are only 150 yen if you need a take-home stash, and eat-in sets cost a maximum of only 560 yen.
It is always busy on weekends with lots of date people on Sundays, and shopping girl groups on Saturday. There are the mini pop-in people for some quick energy, the foreigner stocking up on bagels for next day brunch, and the people like me who sit at the tall seats of the counter top that sweep across the whole front window and go slow, slowly. It can be a lovely way of modern meditation, or a zappy burst of wow-factor sparkle.
The simple white brick walled interior, reasonable bagel and drink sets, and constant changeover of customers is somehow refreshing. A great place to have tucked into your memory when you just need to pause a little in the go-go-go pace of Umeda central.
Open 8:00 – 22:00 Monday through Friday and 10:00 – 22:00 on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
Bagel and Bagel stores are located throughout Japan.
There is a wide open one on the second floor of Namba Parks (9:00 - 21:00), which is a perfect stop-in before a movie at the serenely lovely Namba Parks Cinema (6th - 10th floor). Perhaps even a rooftop garden walk on the 9th floor afterwards?
HOW do I get THERE?
From the renowned BIG man meeting spot near the Hankyu Umeda station steps and Kinokuniya, turn left out of the station and walk toward Nu Chayamachi shopping complex. Bagel & Bagel is just up the road in Hankyu Sanbangai (Northern Building) on street level. It is on the left side of the road exactly opposite Zara.
If you need a map to B&B look here.
The British pub, The Hub, is just nearby as well if you change your mind and want a pint with fish and chips instead.
Print out the mini discount coupon if you are undecided, or if you think you might need some added fuel later in the day.
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