Daibutsu Korokoro

Upon entering the building you walk through a narrow staircase that is lined with lanterns along the side of each step. On the bottom of the stairs you see a charcoaled colored wall filled with miniature statues of Buddha scaled up and down the wall. As you enter the building you walk into what appears to be an ancient mysterious space with narrow corridors and dark wooden floors. The halls are decorated with ornate vases, statues of Buddha, and cryptic kanji writing. You then pass a huge Buddha staring at the great beyond while sitting esteemed on a stone wall. This may sound like a world heritage in Kyoto or a bad Indiana Jones sequel but instead it’s a restaurant in Meieki called Daibutsu Koro Koro. Daibustu does mean Buddha so it is very fitting that there are statues of Buddha everywhere. Daibutsu Koro Koro is directly across the street from the post office in Meieki and a quick walk from Nagoya station. While being guided to my table I did at times feel I was walking to a ride in Tokyo Disneyland. If you are over 170 centimeters tall you’ll have to be careful not to hit your head on the wooden cushioned crossbars above the narrow hallways. After being guided through the maze I was offered my seat in an even cozier setting. The seating space for two is small, private, and very intimate. The ambience is inviting with its dim lighting and soft jazz whispering in the background. As they close the door to your private dining table you feel all alone with your dining partner. If you come here with a date you’ll have to resist the temptation to make out as your environment feels very private and undisturbed. The waiter comes fast enough for you not to do that and offers you your menu. The plate provided was a little dirty but they quickly replaced it with a clean plate and an apologetic Sumimasen.
Daibutsu Koro Koro has a very unique menu and there is an English menu if you ask. They have original cocktails with names like “Polygamy of Yearning”, “Very Berry Buddha Style” and “Vernal Years of Buddha” which are all fruit flavored drinks. If you don’t like their mix of cocktails you can make your own fruit flavored concoction with the selection they provide for a little over 500 yen. They seem to favor wines from Brussels and Barcelona. Their wine selection isn’t big but it’s inexpensive. A wine they especially recommend is their Vina Sarda Rose wine. They also have a good selection of Cava which is southern Spain’s answer to Champagne. They do lack a good selection of whiskies, which as a whisky drinker I was a bit disappointed.
The menu is familiar from other Japanese restaurants with a little bit of flair and originality. One unique dish they have is an Okonomiyaki roll. I opted not to try it this time. Instead I ordered broiled buttered and soy sauce scallops and mushroom, seasonal vegetables, chicken meatball and cheese with soft boiled egg, and creamy tofu. The food was slow to arrive as it took almost 45 minutes from the time we ordered to the time the first dish came. Luckily I was with good company to make the time seem faster. For dessert I ordered their cheesecake. I was mistaken when I thought this would be just any other cheesecake. The cheesecake was rich, creamy, and was topped with a hardened caramelized coating. It certainly made my taste buds stand for an ovation.
Overall this is a great restaurant to take a date or have dinner with a close group. They can accommodate a bigger group but dinner here can get a bit pricey with drinks. With drinks you can easily run a 4,000 yen tab. If you’re need of a little spirituality, satiation, and a place to impress your date Daibutsu Koro Koro is a choice worthy place. Make reservations as it does get booked easily.

Rating out of five stars (or whatever rating you want to use).

Food: ***
Ambience: ****
Service: **
Price: $$$
Location: Easily accessible from the station.
Price for two people
$: 1 – 2,000 yen
$$: 2,001 – 5,000
$$$: 5,001-8,000
$$$$: 8,001 +

Website:
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/n034503/

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English Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/n034503/lang/en/