Cafe Absinthe
http://www.whynotjapan.com/guide/absinthe/en.htm


After a week of being buried alive beneath an avalanche of bullshit (mind-numbing work, synapse-stretching homework, soul-crushing family 'issues'), I was still planning on hitting a vocabulary teaching seminar at my school (yes, my day job is teaching English, what did you expect?). But three days of sleepless nights were taking their toll and －shoot!- the deadline for this article! So much for study. At least I knew exactly where I was headed for my next review: Absinthe.

It's not like they don't get enough press already. Absinthe has held bragging rights as the coolest 'internationally-minded' bar in Osaka for years now. It's the kind of place you take a first date, a visiting friend or potential business partner or plan an uber-cool b-day bash － in short, it's an institution. The last time I'd been there I'd taken my best friend from elementary school and his teenage son when they'd made the trip over; we'd had absinthe slushies, one of the tackiest guilty pleasures I myself admit to enjoying. It's not, however, a place I've ever gone to alone or in the afternoon. I was about to try both. And I was about to fail.

Strolling through the muggy streets of Kita-Horie, I arrived outside after a 10 minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station (OPA exit) at around 2 PM. But the stacked chairs on tables quickly tipped me off. "I'm sorry," the babelicious new staff-member said to me in English, "We open at 3." Crap, an hour to kill. Argh.

Luckily, my favorite little cafe´/antique store/hipster record shop was literally right around the corner: FUTURO. Thankfully, it was open, and I popped in for 500 yen Ichiban Shibori to pass the time. Soothed by the obscure 70's progressive rock on the P.A., and 60's retro-futurist de´cor, I spaced out a bit, sweet memories of performing here with Ultra Bide's Hide floating through my mind. After some reminiscing and reading up on the future of virtual worlds (yes I admit to being a hopeless techno-romanticist), 3 o'clock had struck, and with stomach a-rumbling, I headed back to Absinthe.

I considered grabbing a chair outside on the admittedly inviting deck (nothing like heckling passersby to amuse yourself), but things were getting somewhat sticky outside, so I headed in. This month's artist showcase featured some pretty cool mountain photography, majestic framed peaks covering the walls. A real estate deal was going on in the back. The owner (I believe) was busy fiddling with the DJ booth up at the front. Otherwise, I had the place to myself (the first I've EVER been able to say that at Absinthe).

The fetching young server was back with the menus, a large variety of coffees and teas (geez, as if I needed any more coffee after this caffeine frazzled week) and around six or seven lunch choices. I ordered the falafel and an 800 yen coffee slushie (I'm sure I could've ordered something alcoholic, but once, just once, I was pacing myself). I was hoping that would recharge my flagging batteries.

Ach, fatigue setting in. Baby crying in the back, Steve Reichian music on the stereo lulling me gently into unconsciousness. Gotta stay awake. I keep my eyes open by scanning the bar. Classy S-curve feel to the counter. Potted plants send out a jungle feeling. Eight hookahs on the wall, begging to be sucked. Specialty beers including Duvel, Leffe and (a guilty pleasure) Dutch cherry-flavored Kriek (yes, I know it's a girlie drink, but admit, it actually tastes pretty good).

And the Absinthe menu, wow: 13 different varieties, ranging from the reasonably priced French Trenet Unicorn, to the 4000 yen Italian Grappa Levi Romano (with the actual wormwood that might make your unborn children go blind －yes, I kid). Yes, it's an acquired taste, but there's no better place to try out the green faerie. Just don't be expecting to hallucinate ala Moulin Rouge or you'll be sadly mistaken.

Ah, the coffee slushie has arrived. Certainly not as attractive as a Starbucks Frappicino, and more expensive to boot, it nevertheless tasted just fine. The falafel sandwich arrived a few minutes later, and despite its relatively small size, was absolutely fantastic, with tasteful use of cherry tomatoes, dill pickles and cucumber yogurt sauce. Yummers.

After paying my gracious hostess, I considered a schmooze with the (probable) owner, but he seemed to be peacefully preparing for the eventual anarchy that would be Saturday night at Absinthe. My initial thoughts were an initial disappointment with the mellowness of the afternoon crowd and the limited food menu. But what was I expecting? Absinthe is a quiet cafe´ in the afternoon, fitting in well with all the other quiet cafes in Kita-Horie. There are a few sandwiches, a few desserts and a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks, and the BGM and atmosphere was markedly better than your usual 'dayspot'.

It just happens that nights at Absinthe are much, much better.

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