Blessed Meals

Last Friday night while we were navigating the stores around the Umeda area, this cafe caught our attention. "Caught" might not even by the correct word. It grabbed us by the collar and slapped us silly. That's because the cafe looked like this:



The Christon Cafe in Osaka is designed to mimic the interior of a church. Instead of abstract paintings, you'll see statues of different saints. At the bar, there's a stained glass window featuring a religious scene. There are altars behind tables. In alcoves all around the dining area, you'll see Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and a host of other saints. How's that for dinner guests?

Mark asked if we wanted to try and have dinner there, to which I answered "no." I've always admired Church architecture and make it a point to visit a church in every country I go to. But seeing Church architecture interpreted in a bar and restaurant is something - well - hard to stomach. It's hard to discern whether the place is a tribute to Catholicism or a critique of it.

Makes me wonder, though. Can the waiters there turn water into wine? And probably they only serve loaves of bread and fish. After all, they're the easiest to multiply.