Filed under: Maids Maid Cafe Cafe Doll

Maid Cafe Review - Cafe Doll

21.08.2008 by Lani Lee

Akihabara is well known for being the center of modern otaku activity, and more recently known for being a maid cafe hot spot. With that type of reputation, both regular fans and the just curious flock to Akihabara for their fill of maids. Wouldn’t this hot spot then be the ideal place to open a new café? Café Doll took a different approach. In January 2005, they first opened their doors not to the usual Akihabara crowd, but in the Osaka area counterpart, Nipponbashi. Not until December 2005, almost a year later, did the café finally branch out to the maid café epicenter, opening Café Doll Tokyo in Akihabara.

Inside Café Doll Tokyo, a black and white checkered floor is set under petite white tables so small, they barely hold even a plate and a drink. Lush red and cream colored curtains adorn the frosted windows to help keep privacy inside the first floor store. Against the walls lie lattices covered in red roses almost ready for the plucking. The maids further the impression of romanticism with their white, red, and pink costumes. (Not to mention how they create the impression of desire with their coy charm and short skirts just barely showing thighs.) Beyond the Valentine’s Day amour color themes, there are hidden jewels to be found throughout the store. Disney character stuffed animals hide on the ceiling beams peeking down at customers from the heavens for no apparent reason. Toys accumulate in a back corner growing so rapidly they no longer fill up the shelves but overflow onto the booth seat and the last tabletop. The walls are littered with polaroids from their many events, ones of cute girls posing together happily in vibrant, outrageous costumes. Although the two themes seem to clash, they just show the serious side and playful sides of the store.

Café Doll Tokyo has a new English menu, so those who haven’t yet mastered kanji don’t have to fret over the characters. (Although the English is not perfect, I smiled when I read under the 'colded drink' section that I could have my café au lait 'ised.') The maids usually gather in the back of the store near the kitchen during down times talking and giggling together. Although they appear friendly and sociable, they rarely glance over and check on customers. They are trained to respond to the little bells that are put on tables instead of being aware of their surroundings. Every time a bell sounds, every maid instantly springs into action to serve. Even when a maid is carrying a tray a table, she’ll give a little pop in response to a chime. For better service, like not waiting 15 minutes for a refill on water, don’t be afraid of using the annoying bell. There are three golden seats in the back where the maids linger. Because of their proximity, the maids give better service and even engage in light conversation more. Just be careful. It could all disappear at the sound of a bell.

Café Doll Tokyo hosts events almost weekly where they have themed costumes, such as the costumes on the polaroids filling the walls. In the past, they’ve had event themes such as China dolls, nurses, hostess club, and Rozen Maiden. New menus are created for events, sometimes excluding their regular menu items. During a Valentine’s Day event, maids made homemade chocolates for the customers. They also throw events for members only. How does one obtain such an elusive membership? After filling up three point cards, which equates to approximately 75,000 yen. Women receive double points on point cards making membership a little easier to achieve.

There is a lot of variety in the food: pasta, hamburgers, omuraisu (rice omlette), and fried chicken to name a few. They do the popular ketchup drawings on their omuraisu, and even have mayonnaise or sauce drawings for the chow mein omlette. Their food, however, is not the finest dining in all of Akihabara. The best menu item is their original drinks. Each one is named after the maid who concocted it and will only be prepared by that maid, so the selection is limited to those working in the café at the moment. A good motivation for starting conversations would be to ask the names of the maids to know which original drinks are available. At least this method is more enjoyable than cheating and looking at the staff list near the kitchen.

Beyond food, the only other service offered is the cheki, polaroid pictures, for the cheapest price I have found: 400 yen for one, or 1500 yen for four. There is a sign-up sheet near the kitchen to put in how many, with who, and what style of polaroid. For those more indulgent in maid culture, there is a note corner with a set of notebooks, each belonging to a different maid for note exchanges. Although games may not be on the menu, I was able to get away with playing with the stuffed animals in the corner. A maid even came over and joined in the fun! Café Doll Tokyo doesn’t follow the game and amusement style cafes centered on interacting with the staff. The café instead emphasizes food over services. It’s a great place to grab a drink and some fries and take a break after a long day in Akihabara.

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Name: Café Doll Tokyo (カフェドール東京)

Branches: 2 (1 in Osaka)

Established: December 23, 2005

Address: 3-6-17 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1F

Phone Number:

Email:

# of seats: 28

Staff Ratio: 2:1 daytime, 4:1 evenings

Non-smoking: available

English menu: Yes

Best time: Anytime

Events: Frequently

Price: Drinks range from 450-700 yen and include coffee, various teas, milk, soda floats, and juices. Meals range from yen. Meal sets include a drink for 350 yen extra with some exclusions. Desserts are from 450-950 yen, including cakes, ice cream, and parfaits.

Recommend: For something a little moe but still a little different, chow mein omuraisu. Otherwise some fries and a drink or the cake set.
Type: Communication

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Food: B

Service: B

Souvenirs, extra: B

Access: B

Décor: A

Costume: A

Staff (character, interaction): B

Games, Events: A

Novelty, uniqueness: B

Atmosphere (play, dynamics, community, home, fantasy): B