Cafe MAENAM
A Tropical Experience
An evening stroll along Roppongi Dori (aka Route 246), starting off at Roppongi crossing towards Shibuya, will soon reveal a nebula of twinkling lights. Are these the shiny stars of a distant galaxy or perhaps a special breed of giant fireflies emitting their decadent glimmer? Drawn by this will-o'-the-wisp, the visitor finds himself amidst a lavishly lighted tropical dining space with a distinctly Thai charm.
The entrance is guarded by two giant dragon statues, bouncers to ensure the mundane doesn't cross the threshold to this magical kingdom. Selecting your table may pose a challenge, as you can choose between first floor and second, plus a mezzanine. And if you are a people watcher, you can sit towards the front that opens onto the street, but still keeps you cozy behind lush flora and a giant blackboard announcing the specials of the day to pedestrian traffic.
This is Nishi-Azabu, uptown from Roppongi, where life tends to be a little more stylish, complete with an altogether different kind of street vista. Look up from your Tom Yum Kung (spicy Thai soup with shrimp) and enjoy the sight of a white-gloved chauffeur opening the door of the Rolls Royce that has just pulled up, or check out the custom-made bike as it waits to be mounted by its black-leather-clad rider to merge with traffic in a wild roar. Old ladies with blueish-gray hair will traipse along leading little custom-bred doggies on little custom-made leashes making their last rounds around midnight, soon to be followed by armies of expensively dressed local women on their way from or to work.
But romantic lights, mysterious decor, and deluxe street action are just the extras. The main draw of Cafe Maenam is the tropical experience it offers in terms of relaxed atmosphere and an extensive, reasonably-priced menu. If you have always wondered how to order blue crab & angel hair noodles baked in a clay pot (¥1500), then Maenam is a good place to start gaining this otherworldly savoir-vivre. While you can always impress your date with a king lobster (¥3200), most dishes range from ¥500 to ¥1500. Drinks start at ¥280.
Thai food, by definition, tends to be spicy. The menu therefore offers two spice rankings of mildly hot and medium hot - and at the same time encourages the brave to go for the "more hot." All you have to do is ask the staff. (3404-4745)
Cafe MAENAM
Open everyday 11:30 am to 4 am
1F, 2F Dear Nishi-Azabu Bldg.
3-1-20 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku
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