The Dog-Friendly Java Cafe

Just a quick side note folks: I'm going to be in Laos for the next nine days, so I won't be posting, but I hope to have some good stories upon my return.

This little number is going to be a two-for: a description of Java Cafe as well as a little anecdote related to Java.

Java Cafe, located just off of Hun Sen Park on Sihanouk Boulevard is an expat oasis. I learned about it early on in my time in Phnom Penh when I was looking for a job; several recommended it as a place to hang out, check e-mail (wireless Internet), and, in fact, many of my networking-type meetings were held at Java.

Unless you know exactly where it is though, it can be tricky to find, as it's down a small alley and up a somewhat hidden set of stairs. Walking up the stairs, you emerge onto a lush terrace, cooled by ceiling fans and shaded by a roof. There are plants hanging over tables and adjacent to the roof of the driving school below. The few outdoor tables are highly coveted and the frequent Java-goer knows to make a reservation in advance as, during lunch time, a table is hard to come by. Stepping past the outdoor tables and a magazine and newspaper rack, you enter the cafe itself, complete with fairly open spaces, comfortable wicker seating, and an ever-changing art exhibit adorning the walls.

The food, though a bit pricey (especially at night), is delicious. The salads, the burgers, the dinner entrees, everything that I've had there has been quite good. With some kind of a shake or a smoothie, it's hard to imagine a better or more idyllic meal. Because of the locale and the tasty western food, Java serves as an excellent escape from the hot, dirty, and often stinking streets of Phnom Penh. It is order in a country that is so often chaotic.

Now on to the anecdote. As I mentioned earlier, with our house sitting gig, we inherited a pet dog: Einstein. Being a progressive, western-style cafe, Java allows well-behaved dogs on the terrace and, as a result, Einstein's owners often bring him along for dinner or a drink. Our first night of house sitting, the house (and Einstein) owners took us out for dinner at Java with Einstein. Still back at the house, as soon as he heard the word "Java," Einstein went nuts, jumping around and eagerly running toward the door.

Arriving after a walk over, Einstein paraded upstairs like he owned the place. In a lot of ways, it seemed like he did. He received a warm greeting from the staff, who knows him well, and just as good service as any human patron. Water was promptly delivered for us as well as Einstein, and after ordering a round of drinks, we ordered dinner. With everyone ordered, the waitered sort of smiled and asked, "And the usual for Einstein?"

A few minutes later and Einstein's ears and eyes perked as a plate of bacon was brought over. Breaking the pieces into smaller bites, his parents fed him bit by bit, telling him to "take it easy" with every bite. While certainly an amusing spectre, on some levels we felt a bit guilty that, in a country in which not everyone can afford to eat meat on a regular basis that a pet dog was getting restaurant-made bacon. Despite the guilt, Shanti and I brought Einstein back to Java this past weekend to enjoy an afternoon of reading, iced tea and coffee and, yes, bacon.