CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
I’m really interested in organics and locally grown produce and so was thrilled when a friend told me of the restaurant in the COSTA VISTA HOTEL. She said it’s all organic or locally grown food (but I haven’t been able to verify this). Either way, what a fantastic deal for a huge buffet! It only works out as a deal on weekdays for lunch (11:30 – 2:30) when it’s 1700 yen per person (under 4 free) — for dinners & weekends it’s double the price.
There was a great salad area with gorgeous green beans, a whole slew of hot dishes, a rice/noodle/curry table, pizza/pasta/omelets on another, juices/teas/coffees, and a table packed with desserts. I arrived with my 2-year-old (who loved it) and my newborn in arms (dumb me I forgot to bring in the car seat)… when one of the waiters noticed, he BROUGHT ME a fully reclined stroller!!!! So, great service as well. We loved it and it has a FAB view since it’s fairly high up.
The Estrella Bar will probably be visited on a fun date night sometime as well… they have various whiskeys that they pair up (you can taste 3-4 for 2000 yen, or so) — half are from Scotland, the other half from Japan. My hubby is a Scotch fan, so I think it will be a fun tasting to do sometime — and the view from the bar is just as great!
I’m a little unclear about the Hotel. It has the EM logo and when I looked that up found it’s related to some sort of healthy additive made in Hawaii but discovered by a professor on Okinawa. Little confused by that — but it clearly shows their interest in good health. Couldn’t read any of the info about their Wellness Center & Spa, but am hoping to find out more. Will let you know. Enjoy.
Phone: 098-935-1664
Address: 39 Kishaba, Kitanakagusuku
Google Maps Coordinates: 26.302993, 127.79389349999997
Directions: Leave Kadena at Gate 2 and drive down until the 330 intersection and take a right. Turn left at the light that comes right after the Rose Garden Italian place. Go up the hill for awhile until you arrive at a beautiful hotel — that’s the Costa Vista. When you go through the main doors, you then walk until you see stairs on your right that take you down to the Estrella Bar and the Casa Verde Dining Area.