Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2010

Courtesy of Bacardi

Squeezed into a patch of greenery between the buildings of Tokyo Midtown, the seasonal Bacardi Midpark Cafe looks confused from a mile off. When we swing by on a Saturday afternoon, we’re not sure what to make of it. It’s supposed to be a cafe, but it looks more like a pimped-out hot dog stand; there’s no bar, but it is a bar, only there are kids and babies all around, and… what?

As we ponder this mental contretemps, we’re shown to our seats by a waiter, who cautions us that the table is a bit wonky and we should “make sure your drinks don’t slide off.” Alas, although the breezy outdoor space feels perfect for the summertime, the cafe is scattered around a slanted hill—and we say “scattered” because the tables are arranged like a hastily assembled children’s birthday party.

Drinks and snacks are ordered at separate booths, and the specialty, naturally, is the Bacardi mojitos. There’s a Bacardi Mega Mojito, big enough for seven (¥3,500; limited to ten bowls per day), but we pick the Blood Orange Mojito and Grapefruit Mojito (both ¥700) from among a variety of fruity choices. We haven’t tasted drinks this weak since junior high, but hey, considering the what, when and where, we aren’t entirely surprised. They also have draft Premium Malts (¥700-¥1,000), as well as wine by the glass or bottle (¥700/¥3,000).

The food is surprisingly tasty. The garlic- and herb-tossed potato fries (¥300) and corn beef and mascarpone canapé (¥500) are richly flavorful and come in generous portions. The more adventurous can opt for chicken liver (¥500) and homemade sausages (¥500), although the latter looks suspicious.

Overall, if you’re in the area or your kids are screaming for ice cream (¥300!), the Cafe will probably do the trick. But stronger drinks and straighter tables would have gone a long way to making it worth the trip.

Bacardi Midpark Cafe is open through Aug 29.