What do these pictures have in common?
Skanky looking elevator
Sleezy, I mean “stylish” tattoo ads
Sleek computer friendly bar
Plastic encased pastries
Great view
They are all things you will encounter on a visit to Blueberry Cafe, the new internet cafe/lunch + dinner buffet/nail salon that just opened up near the Foster Spot Gate.
“Blueberry Cafe”. I like the name. It makes me think of Prince and his Raspberry Beret. And also of blueberry scones and pie and cobbler. Plus it’s located up in that mysterious tower in the sky building on the corner, all nasty and condemned looking, which for some reason is a draw for me.
Unfortunately, Blueberry Cafe didn’t live up to my “pie in the sky” fantasies. (sorry – had to) Admittedly, there was something cool about stepping out from the dingy, funkadelic elevator, into this bright spanking new cafe. Kind of like walking down a scary back alley and stumbling upon a roaring underground nightclub. – I almost felt like I should utter a password before entering. – But to be honest, the place was a little too slick for me. With it’s cellophane wrapped pastries and paper coffee cups, it came off like an airport lounge. Plus the food was buffet style. I didn’t even get it, which is bad I guess if I’m writing a review, but nothing in the buffet looked worth laying down 1000 yen for. I got this lemon cake thing instead. It was alright. Oh, and there were coffee drinks too. I had a mocha. Again, nothing spectacular. That smoking is permitted there is kind of a bummer.
I feel kind of bad being all negative like this, especially after meeting the guy I think is one of the owners. He was really, really friendly and excited about his business venture. It made me want him to succeed! So don’t listen to me. It was probably just Weight Watchers delirium that made me disappointed not to find giant hunks of pie and thick dripping sandwiches I’d been fantasizing about. My girlfriend/restaurant guru got the buffet and said the food was good. And I trust her judgment. She’s dedicated enough to her food to do things like drive all over the island to find goat milk so she can make cheese from scratch.
An interesting thing about Blueberry Cafe though, is that it’s also an internet cafe. And if you think of it as an internet cafe rather than like a lunch spot, it IS cool. For one thing, the view. More inspiring to do your work from than Starbucks views. There is a long bar with portals that you can hook your computer up to. I asked if it had wireless internet and one guy said no and the other said yes. So I’m a little unclear on that part. Also, you can rent one of the computer terminals for 1000 yen for 3 hours. They look nice and cozy with a couch or cushy armchair. There’s also a nail salon up there. Strange. But I guess you never know when you are going to chip a nail from too much keyboard clicking.
Here’s one more shot for the road:
HOURS: Open everyday from 11:00-midnight
Lunch – 11:30am – 3:00pm
Dinner – 6:30pm – 9:30pm
DIRECTIONS: From Foster’s Spot Gate take a left. You’ll see Blueberry Cafe right on the corner with 58. It’s the tall tower building. Park in front.
But if you loved them and have never...
Ok, I’m laughing so hard right now b/c I thought, from looking at the adverts and the ominious “girly” pics that it was a “buy-me-drink” club. I seriously need to work on my kanji
I’m glad you wrote this review. My husband and I saw the new signs up for the Cafe & were wondering what it was. I tried searching online as soon as I got home and found nothing. My in-laws are visiting and saw it on their way in last night and just asked me about it as I was checking to see the latest Okinawa Hai post… and there it was! Perfect timing!
OK so Ashley I don’t think it is a Kanji thing because even close up and going up the elevator I was still worried we were going to be entering a buy me a drink club, but I guess it is just one of those Okinawan things…You just never know what you are getting yourself into until those dirty elevator doors open. Maybe because it was so dingy and maybe because I was nervous, but it was really nice and clean inside. It was such a pleasant surprise.
So funny. I was always wondering what was in this building. It looked like it was a cool building in a prior decade. A few weeks ago I would notice huge crowds of young Americans hanging out in the parking lot and I’ve been trying to figure out why ever since. I think there also may be a boxing club or something there?? Still no idea on that but I did notice the Cafe sign appeared while trying to figure out what exactly was there. At least there’s a nice view up there I guess:)
Thanks for the review, you brave woman you!
“Kelly: daring to go where no one else has gone before!”
FYI for those who love Latin music, there is a latin Dance bar on one of the floors. I can’t rememeber what floor it is, but it is VERY big and they have a dart room and 1 pool table(which is free). However, they only play latin on certain nights and the night we went, it was only Hip hop music and we were the only ones there. But from what I heard, it gets very packed on Latino nights.
Ahh, im so glad someone had the courage to visit this cafe. Every morning I drive by and wonder, but that building is just too suspect for my liking. Good to know what the cafe it like though, thanks for the review!
(oh, they often have kickboxing matches on another level, they are usually packed so that could also explain the people there)
Thanks for the info guys. Mysterious place, huh? And Paula, thanks for the heads up about the the Latin dance night! Anyone know when it is? Do tell.
I went to blueberry tonight, and it’s much better after dark! The night view was spactacular, especially since it was Friday night and 58 was packed, which made for a gorgeous slow-flowing river of lights. The buffet was taken down, but they ofered plate diners, my beef curry was really very tasty. Also, on a side note, there were two American girls in the nail salon/tatoo room. I could hear them talking about “WOW!” “THAT’s AWESOME” etc, so of course I had to butt in over there and ask – sure enough, one of them had just had a temporary totally sparkling glitter tattoo applied to her back, it was BEAUTIFUL! It was a very large floral vine thingie, the entire thing was done in glitter ink, and the girls said it will last for two weeks, through showers, etc. She also had cosmetic eyelash enhancements done at the same place, and they looked GREAT too!
We went to Blueberry this morning for a Sunday Lunch. The buffet was 1000 yen per adult and out daughter was free. It was tasty and all you could eat. They had salad, soba, rice, curry, hashbrowns, these fried curry wonton things that we couldn’t get enough of, and some stir fry dishes. They also came out with pizzas, chicken salad sandwiches, and some tasty shrimp, which were promptly gobbled up. Included in your buffet were beverages from the beverage bar. I had a carmel mocha iced coffee, it was good, my daughter had a guava smoothie that was delicious and refreshing, and my husband had ice tea. All and all it was a beautiful view from the non smoking section and the food and drinks were really tasty.
the blueberry cafe was really good yawl are just complainers
My friend and I checked this out today, despite reading a not so stellar review. The food was okay, but nothing spectacular.
When we arrived with got our seat, set up the babies, and then when back to pay seperately for the buffet (1000 yen). When my friend returned with hers paid for and her plate, I went to pay. Apparently, I must have paid with a different cashier, because half way through our meal, we were both approached saying that we did NOT pay for one of ours! In our best Englis/Japanese, we explained that we had both paid and continued our lunch. We were even harrassed as we headed out. It wasn’t until the girl who had taken my money was found in the back and confirmed I had paid, could we go. We recieved 1 unappologetic sorry as we left. The experience was humiliating, as we looked like the cheap Americans trying to scam a free lunch! (Particulary, when we were still eating at our table.) Unfortunately, the customer service, because of the paying situation, left a lot to be desired and a relaxed lunch turned into something stressful! Is there a number you can call on base for translation when things like this happen? I will not be attending Blueberry Cafe again.
Heather Military on source has a number that you can call to get help with translations and other things. The number I have is (access code) 122-001-010 (then overseas number) 800-3429-6477. Hope this works lol havent tried it.
Itd be nice to see some photos of the buffet or more of the food they have to offer & more of the Cafe as well as what the view has to offer.
I haven’t eaten here but we tried to get there once but we were put off my the gross urine stink in the parking lot and by the elevator.
Hoping to return and hoping the food Will be good…
The elevator WAS pretty smelly (like someone was smoking in it), but I was pleasantly surprised by the cafe. It was very relaxed and comfy, and the food was great! There were mini croissants with butter and jam, rolls, salad, french toast, hash browns, rice, soup, some kind of chicken or turkey dish (not my fave), veggie stir fry, fried fish, YUMMY fried chicken pieces with a honey-type glaze, shrimp with some kind of sauce….plus cute little fruit tarts and sponge cake roll for dessert. Oh, yeah – and also some pizza and a sort of fish custard (that was a wierd one for me!). In other words, plenty to choose from. And NO time limit! Yea! I hate those – I end up stuffing my face because I feel rushed. I like to sit back and take my time, and this has a great view to go along with it. I will definitely be back!
this shows photo of place.
Things must certainly have changed! Went there tonight with the husband and our buddy, and everything was great. The elevator is a little run down, but once you step out, you’re in a very cute cafe.
The buffet wasn’t up tonight, so we got the menu, and we all really enjoyed our food!Yummy flavors, great portions, and a very nice price. For the 3 of us, it came out to 2400 yen.
The view is pretty cool, especially at night and the atmosphere was really nice. No smokers, just soft lighting and music. Three thumbs up from us!
My daughter had always wanted to stop and eat at the Blueberry Cafe and so on my visit to Okinawa we stopped off during lunch time. The elevator is a bit gross, but once you start heading up toward the restaurant the site from the elevator changes to the scenery outside. Once you reach the 7th floor and step out of the elevator you come into a quaint and clean restaurant. The cost for lunch buffet is 1000 yen, all you eat. It’s not a large buffet, but the food is very good and the views are wonderful. The restaurant has a very nice ambiance and jazz music was playing in the background. My daughter and I recommend this place.