: Classifieds : MyJU :
Stories: Gourmet
Browse Gourmet Stories: « Previous Story | Next Story »

Café Pati is “For You”

By: David Knickerbocker

Date Posted: 2001-08-03

Whether you are looking for good food, good times, or good music, you can’t go wrong in giving Café Pati a visit. Located on BC Street, Pati is the home of salsa sensation the Diamantes, a group that has achieved widespread success throughout Japan.

Pati means “For You” in Spanish. According to owner Lalo Eduardo, the club/café took its name from Lalo’s brother’s song “Samba Pati”, which means, “Samba for you.” The whole atmosphere of the café is very giving. The ownership and management has truly taken the name of their establishment to heart. There are even cigarettes and gum on the bar counter for partygoers who are running short. Café Pati is definitely one of the most customer — or rather people — oriented businesses in town. From the moment you walk through the door and down the stairs, the club takes on a very personal, friendly feel. All of the equipment and furniture is very clean and tidy, and during café hours the music is kept at low levels that allow patrons enjoy both the music and conversation.

Pati has been in business for ten years and was the first club on island to play salsa, a genre that has gone through an explosion in Japan in the past decade. It is also the home of Japan’s salsa sensation, the Diamantes. In fact, family members of the acclaimed group run Café Pati. From the start, it has always been a family-run business. As the home of the Diamantes, and the Eduardo family, the owners of the venue, Café Pati is kept up with the same pride many people have in keeping up their home.

According to Lalo Eduardo, the owner of Café Pati, he shares a similar story with his brother Alberto, member of the Diamantes, on how he ended up in Okinawa. Lalo moved to Tokyo to try to create a life for himself but felt lonely, as people were not as friendly and open as they are in Peru, his home. Lalo was born in Peru, and while he was growing up, his grandmother would often tell him many good things about her home, Okinawa. Eventually, Lalo moved to Tokyo to find out what Japan was like and ended up moving to Okinawa ten years ago. He says he felt comfortable when he moved to Okinawa and decided to stay. “Okinawa felt like my home in Peru with its laid back atmosphere and friendly people,” says Lalo. Eventually, he started Live House Pati as a family business. Recently, they remodeled the place, giving it more of a relaxed, natural feel, and renamed it Café Pati.

Many great events are held every week at Café Pati. There is a salsa party every Friday this month except on August 24. The admission is $10 or ¥1,000 including one drink, and if you come between 8 and 11 p.m., another free drink is thrown in. On Friday, August 24, Kachimba 1551 will perform at Pati. The tickets are in advance $17 or ¥1,700 with one drink, or $20 or ¥2,000 at door with one drink. On August 4 and 18, Fiesta Latina will play salsa and Spanish Rock, and there is no charge to attend these events. Also, if you are looking to see the Diamantes play in their home territory, come watch them perform on August 11 and 25. Admission to this event is $25 or ¥2,500 and includes one free drink, but only the first 100 partygoers will be admitted, so you might want to make reservations before you come down. If you’d like to reserve your spot at one of the Diamantes’ performances, call Café Pati at 938-4970.

Café Pati serves as a restaurant/bar during the week, serving the best in Peruvian cuisine. They are open from 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday and closed on Sunday and Monday. During the weekend, they are open from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Saturdays. Café Pati has many delicious meals to choose from and has close to 200 drinks available to quench your thirst.

I was a little intimidated to try their Cebiche at first after spotting the squid hidden in the dish but was surprised and kept diving in, serving after serving. Cebiche is a very spicy dish consisting of squid, onions, and raw tuna. Don’t be intimidated; I was surprised how delicious the raw tuna was with all the spices and onions added on the plate. We also had a delicious plate of Loma Saltado — spiced beef, fried potatoes, rice, and vegetables. Fantastic! Café Pate serves extremely good food, and for reasonable prices.

Whether you come for the party, music, or food, you are sure to be pleased.

Salsa Party
Date: August 3, 10, 17, 31
Open: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Admission: $10 or ¥1,000 with one drink.
Special: Come between 8 and 11 p.m. for one extra free drink.

Fiesta Latina
Date: August 4, 18
Open: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Admission: Free!!!

Kachimba 1551
Date: August 24
Open: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Admission: Advance Tickets - $17 or ¥1,700 with one drink, door - $20 or ¥2,000 with one drink.

Diamantes
Date: August 11, 25
Open: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Music starts at 10:30 p.m.)
Admission: $25 or ¥2,500 with one drink
Note: Only first 100 people admitted, reservation by calling 938-4970.

Browse Gourmet Stories: « Previous Story | Next Story »

weather currency health and beauty restaurants Yellowpages JU Blog

OkistyleJU FacebookOkistyle

Go to advertising PDF?||?|o?L?qAE?|?}?OA?N?ga`OkiStyle?A??q?qM?oeu^?I`??N?gX?<eth>?<ETH>?ni^?IWanted!!Golden Kings ScheduleOkiNightSeeker