The Central American country is still struggling for the serious damage from the 7.0 earthquake, which led to other challenges, mounds of rubble, spreading poverty, outbreak of cholera, political unstability...
Check BBC report: Haiti earthquake: One year on
Even after other disasters on this planet, we are not able to forget Haiti and its nationals for recoveing from the catastrophe happened on the 12th January 2010.
Here in Tokyo, we have Haitian restaurant called "Cafe Haiti". It has 4 units in central Tokyo including two in Shinjuku. Haiti style curry is its most known specialty but I also like the chicken cream stew "Poulet blanche" with tomato pilaf.
Other speciality of the restaurant is local style COFFEE. The country produces high quality coffee beans as its neighbours Cuba or Jamaica does. The restaurant imports coffee beans directly from a producer in Haiti. It is served with a bottle of "rhum". Yes, the amber color liquid in a glass bottle is not maple syrup or honey but it is alcohol. Be careful and put just a spoonful of it into a cup of coffee!
If you like more alcohol,it also offers selections of cocktail made with the rhum.
The all four units of Haiti restauants are decorated with folk art and objects from the country. They create the tropical atmosphere in the dining space at Tokyo, on th other side of the globe.
Enjoy food from Haiti and do not forget making a donation at the end of your meal for local people in Haiti. The restaurant place a donation box for relief of the earthquake victims.
*** Location updated on 3rd September, because of some units closure ***
Above photos were taken at Shiodome branch which has been closed. The atomosphere is surely similar with below Second unit in Shinjuku and some franchaise cafes.
Restaurant Name: Cafe Haiti
Address and location:
Shinjuku "Second unit"
Address: B1 Minami-Shinjuku Central building,
2-11-12 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku,
It is 6 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku station South exit along Koshu-Kaido (a main road)
View Larger Map
Thank you for adding important information, Lionel.
Now they operate only one unit in Shinjuku by own and distribute their products to some franchise units. We updated restaurant information accordingly.
Posted by: About Food in Japan site owner | 03 September 2012 at 22:02
Caffee Haiti has been around in Tokyo since 1974. It's good to put a historical perspective otherwise one may think these are new trendy shops with uncertain future, which they are not. In fact, the Shinjuku original shop is a time trip to good old Showa. The dry curry is indeed very good although I haven't been there for years. They had one one branch in Kichijoji but they closed that one a few years ago. Dry curry mix well with beer. Enjoy.
Posted by: Lionel Dersot | 03 September 2012 at 17:06