Double Decker Part 2: Now there’s a lunch menu!

My love for Double Decker should come as no surprise to anyone. I love the atmosphere, selection and most of all the absolutely delicious food. Of course I don’t tend to frequent Double Decker during the lunch time hours because I am usually not in the area or most importantly I am out exploring something else which takes me to the far off places nowhere near Double Decker. However, today on the last day of a family visit we made out way to Double Decker after being completely turned off by the overcrowded situation at Kami Sushi up the way. Partly disappointed and partly relieved (because the seating situation was clear that we would be elbow to elbow in this tiny restaurant due to the overcrowded new seating arrangements) we headed downstairs to see if there was anywhere else to eat. We didn’t think that Double Decker would be open because we didn’t know they served lunch but when we saw the light on we rushed over.

To our surprise and delight Double Decker was open and even better, they were empty. “PERFECT!” So in we went, sat down at our usual table and ordered up some of the delicious offerings that they had on the lunch menu. The lunch menu is not the same as the dinner menu as it only has a few dishes, however, they have a great variety of simple dishes to enjoy. They also have some of their best dishes on the menu that have won pat C1 Gourmet Challenges!

After ordering our food which was very decently priced (about ¥980 per person) we found that we would be served salad, appetizers and even have access to an all you can drink and eat bar which included a variety of drinks, soup, hot tea and scones. This make a good deal a really great deal in my opinion.

The salad plate that we were served featured three different types of salad all of which were amazing and a croquette which was made with tomato rice inside. The soup was great, so were the drinks that were available and of course there were the scones which were a delicious touch to the meal as well. The scones were given a small oven to warm them up and three different toppings: chocolate, cream cheese or honey.

If that wasn’t enough to tickle your tastebuds then the meals sure will. There were a variety of different meals which we all ordered, each was absolutely amazing. I had ordered the meal that won Double Decker the C1 Challenge last year: Ishigaki Beef Hamburger. “AMAZING!”

It is no surprise that this won the C1 Challenge. the food was absolutely delicious with a sauce that was to die for. The side at first seemed disappointing because it was just white rice but to be completely honest I think that if there were to be anything else it would have taken away from the amazing taste of the hamburger which I then mixed with the rice to enjoy ever last bit of sauce.

Russell went with an oldie but goodie in his chicken casserole. The combination of flavors on this dish is always absolutely amazing offering a great taste of cheese, cream, chicken, pasta and rice. I did not try the meal this time (although I have had it multiple times before) but it is a great “go to” meal for someone who might not
have anything else appeal to them on the menu.

In our party we also had someone order the omrice and the house special for the day, both of which were absolutely amazing meals that were truly enjoyed by all.

There really are no downsides to enjoying a lunch at Double Decker. In fact now that I know about the lunch menu offered here I really can’t think of a better place to enjoy lunchtime. There are some things, however, that should be taken into consideration. Double Decker is not a “family style restaurant”, it’s a pub. During the day hours the bar is not open however there are no child seats or child menu options. This is something that I would take into consideration if you are visiting this restaurant. Also the menu during the lunch hours is limited which means that you can only have one of the 6 to 7 options that they have available. This is really not a problem as it is a common way of doing things here in Japan but it is worth noting for those who might not be familiar with this already.

If you’re thinking about grabbing some lunch and looking for a quiet place to enjoy it I recommend heading to Double Decker. You’re sure to have a wonderful, unforgettable, and of course delicious time!

 

 

Double Decker

Double Decker is one of the many places on Okinawa that you might miss if you don’t know where it is. The Cafe and Bar, or what I suppose we might simply refer to as a pub, is located in Mihama’s American Village nestled behind the Sega Amusement building. Just follow the paw prints on the ground and it will lead you to the unique looking entrance.

Double Decker Buss:

The restaurant gets it’s name for the double decker buss which is parked right around the corner and retrofitted as part of the restaurant offering tables and booths. The restaurant itself is warm and welcoming. The walls are covered with memorabilia from various time frames and the ceiling is covered with playing cards. The bar itself I can only describe as “what a bar should look like”.

Another thing I absolutely love about Double Decker is the staff. They are incredibly friendly and laid back. This is not one of those places where you’re going to feel rushed or pressured to finish up and move on with your night. It’s a place for relaxing, laughing and enjoying yourself. On a side note I also like how pressed and well dressed the bar tender is. Every time I have gone back it has been the same bar tender, at least as I remember it, and he is always looking his best which in my opinion adds to the ambiance.

Good Eats: 

Ok, enough about the look and feel, let’s talk about the food! Double Decker has what I would call an extensive menu, at least for Japan. You’re not only going to find bar food here but also a variety of other options for every taste and occasion. You can find options such as salad, rice omelets, rice casserole, rice bowls, pasta, pizza, sweets and a great deal of appetizers on the menu. You can also find chicken wings, which were an addition made in recent years, that are absolutely delicious.

 

Portion sizes are that which you might experience at other pubs or bars. They are not too big to enjoy with a beer but not to small to split family style with a friend or two. In fact I would go so far as to say that enjoying this meal family style is the way to go, especially with friends.

Pricing: 

Pricing for Double Decker isn’t too far off from what you might get at other sit down restaurants. In fact you could say that it is relatively affordable with your average entree coming in between ¥700 and ¥900 yen. As with anywhere else appetizers range in price depending on what it is you are ordering with some topping off around ¥1000. Overall this is one of those places where a party of 2 can order drinks, dinner and appetizers and walk out for under ¥5000.

 

Healthy Options: 

You don’t have to cringe if you’re watching what you eat either. Double Decker has about 4 or 5 salads, among other healthy options, which are not only on the healthy side but are absolutely delicious! Read more about that here.

Don’t be mistaken, This is a bar: 

Double Decker is a great place to enjoy dinner and drinks with a loved one but it is not a place for kids. Don’t be mistaken by the extensive menu or double decker buss, this is a bar. And no I don’t mean like Pub 99 or Chilli’s where there is a bar in the restaurant. This is a bar that serves food. There will be smoking and there will be drinking. Does this mean that you will be turned away if you go with children? No. But this is because here in Japan there is a different mentality with izakayas and pubs then there is in the US.

Give it a try: 

Next time you’re looking for something interesting to do on a Friday night why not give Double Decker a try?

 

Healthy Options: Double Decker

Date night can be tough when you’re watching what you eat. Luckily there are a lot of healthy options out there for those who are looking for them. Last time we took you to the Churaumi Aquarium where we talked about some options you can enjoy on your day out and about but what about when you want some quality time with the special someone?

 

You might miss Double Decker if you don’t know where to look. It’s a small door at the end of a trail of paw prints in Mihama’s American Village. It’s nestled behind the Sega Arcade so look closely or you might miss it.

Double Decker offers a pretty good menu from both the kitchen and the bar and pricing is reasonable. However, seeing as how this is a healthy options blog post I really want to highlight the salads. There are a lot of places out there which offer salads but there aren’t many places out there where I would go specifically for the salads. Double Decker is one of those places I go for the salads.

 

There are about 4 or 5 salad options available at Double Decker. Above is the Toast and Camembert Cheese Salad but other options included a Caesar Salad. The salad is comprised of a variety of greens which have always been fresh tossed in what can only be described as a home made dressing. The dressing is not too strong but not too light and perfectly compliments the other elements of the salad. This particular salad also included slices of camembert cheese and toast.

Pricing is not bad as far as eating out goes. One salad was about ¥700 yen which yes is on the pricy side compared to what you could get at a Subway or make at home but then again you’re out to dinner enjoying yourself. Not to mention it’s delicious.

Double Decker is one of my favorite restaurants and with good reason. It’s tucked away, quiet, affordable and delicious. It’s also a pub which means it’s a great place for a date night. (Sorry kids.) The ambiance is great also but more about that in the Double Decker post.