About half-way between Ebisu and Daikanyama stations, Cafe Park is one of my favorite spots in Tokyo, as it has everything I want from a cafe. There's a good range of food and drink at very reasonable prices, a mellow, unhurried atmosphere, and friendly staff who can sometimes be sweet-talked into some flexibility on the menu, and who are attentive without being pushy.
There's a distinct Scandinavian feel to the interior, with its wooden paneling, warm colors and simple but stylish fittings. There are different areas of seating: tables at the back for people to study or exchange contracts at, lower seating at bigger tables along the wall for groups or families to relax or chat at, and a dog-friendly terrace at the front where everyone can chill out in good weather. It's a bit more spacious than chain cafes, with a higher ceiling that adds to the relaxed atmosphere, though I occasionally have to ask for the jazz to be turned down.
The menu's all in Japanese, handwritten and largely in kanji; this makes ordering a challenge for me, but I have found a fair few goodies. At only ¥450, the 'Cafe Park Curry Rice' is a real bargain, a tasty and filling bowl of steaming comfort food. By way of side dishes, ¥300 will get you a plate of tangy pickles or the 'Tomato Aglio Olio', a whole big, plump tomato sitting in a blend of olive oil and garlic. The ¥300 also includes a few meat-on-stick choices, of which I enjoyed the grilled chicken with cheese and mentaiko (small, spicy fish eggs).
Also on the menu are coffees and teas between ¥390 and ¥500 which, besides the standards, include Earl Grey, Camomile Tea and a hazelnut latte. There's a good selection of beers, among them Bass, Kronenbourg, Red Stripe and Hoegaarden, as well as the usual spirits and liqueurs. The staff have happily made hot cocoa for me in the past, though it's not on the menu, and have also warmed up a liqueur milk drink that's usually served cold. ¥500 sweets include a lemon tart, a baked cheesecake, a sumptuously tasty chocolate cake and something called a 'Crafty' cake, with a selection of juicy berries on a firm, slightly moist base.
That's why I like Cafe Park; without spending a shedload of cash I can sit back, relax and take my time over good food and drinks.
