CONTRIBUTED BY KAY MILLS
My husband and I are always on the lookout for new local restaurants, especially near the Sunabe Seawall as it makes for a wonderful after dinner stroll. We recently discovered such a place called the Seaside Terrace. It is literally across the street from the seawall, offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and the menu, well, simply put, is AWESOME!
We first perused the list of appetizers available and the choices included tomato bruschetta, avacado caprese, and assorted cheese (prices ranged from 500 to 1,200 yen). There were also numerous types of salads available such as a garden salad, a chicken caesar salad and a beef teriyaki salad (costing between 600 to 900 yen). We decided to begin our dining experience with the tomato bruschetta and, when it arrived, our mouths began to water – it looked absolutely scrumptious! We were certainly not disappointed when we ate it – the bread was toasted just crispy enough to maintain the freshness of the bread and the tomatoes were combined with other seasonings that created a completely fresh and natural taste.
We then moved on to examine the variety of entree choices. This part of the menu was divided into sections including a seafood section, a pasta and rice section, and a meat/beef section. I decided on the penne with vegetables in a cream sauce while my husband chose smoked salmon over linguine with spinach and vegetables in a cream sauce. Our meals were fabulous! Each was prepared with very fresh veggies, the pasta done to perfection and the sauce was not only extremely tasty, but poured just right (enough for the pasta, but not so much that the pasta was swimming in it). The smoked salmon was prepared perfectly – the flavor of the salmon was actually enhanced by a subtle smokey taste. The dinners ranged in price from about 850 yen (for the smoked salmon and spinach omelet with fries) to 2,400 yen (for the chef’s beef steak).
To supplement the menu, specials are listed nightly on a blackboard and change regularly. As in most restaurants, there is a dessert menu to tempt you after a very filling and satisfying meal with such options as a banana chocolate parfait (680 yen) and the chef’s assorted dessert for two (850 yen). However, we were much too full to partake and opted to wait to try a dessert – or two – during our next visit!
The owner/chef – Taka-san, who is a trained wine/sake sommelier – and his staff are also wonderfully pleasant and welcoming. When Taka-san has time, he enjoys meeting his guests, conversing with them, and inquiring about their personal preferences for their meals’ preparation. His ultimate goal is to create dishes, which reflect an American-Japanese fusion. His English, along with the staffs’, is good and they are more than willing to make sure you have a truly pleasant dining experience. The atmosphere in the Seaside Terrace is also quite pleasing; lighting is somewhat low and soft music plays in the background – a nice romantic and/or relaxing ambiance. The furniture has a somewhat contemporary edge and very comfortable. It provides a perfect opportunity for a quiet dinner with the one you love, for groups to get together or for friends to enjoy an evening. It would also be a perfect spot for a first date. For those of you who are familiar with the Sea Side Café on Araha Beach, this is its sister restaurant and is operated by the same family. So, if you are looking for a great night out with quality food at a reasonable price, this is definitely a place to try! Enjoy! (Oh, by the way, there is also a variety of beverages as well, from soda, to cocktails, to beer and wine – 500 yen to 850 yen.)
Directions: *Rt. 58 S make right at 1st light after Kadena Gate One – at Family Mart (Rt. 58 N make left at light at Family Mart one block before Kadena Gate One)
*Go to third light (last light before seawall) and make a left
*Go two blocks and turn right (you will see a sign for Sunabe Smile Dental Clinic there)
*Go all the way to the seawall and turn right
*Go one block and look right – you will see sign for Seaside Terrace
Parking: You can park anywhere along seawall. There are 2-3 spots across the street from the restaurant.
Phone: 098-936-2556 Reservations are suggested
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. weekends. Closed on Tuesdays and the 1st Monday of the month.
Payment: Yen or U.S. Dollars