The popular restaurant “Acordu” near Todaiji Temple has a cafe on its premises called “Kumori Tokidoki Avarotz,” which uses plenty of Nara prefecture fruits and ingredients. The cafe’s name means “the rustle of trees” in a Basque language and offers a peaceful space away from the hustle and bustle. Using seasonal Nara fruits and ingredients, the cafe offers a variety of authentic cafe menu items, including Basque cheesecake and rich coffee. The cafe also offers popular takeout options and a relaxing place to enjoy Nara’s charm, making it a perfect spot for tourists and locals alike.
Nestled in the grounds of the popular restaurant “Acordu” near Todai-ji Temple is a cafe called “Sometimes Cloudy Alborotz,” which uses abundant fruits and ingredients from Nara Prefecture.
The name of the cafe means “rustling of the trees” in Basque, a language used in the border of Spain and France, creating a space where the warmth of wood can be felt. It’s a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy authentic cafe menus with a focus on ingredients and flavors, such as Basque cheesecake and rich coffee.
About a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station towards Todai-ji Temple, you’ll find the Spanish restaurant “Acordu.” A well-known restaurant in the Tomio area was forced to relocate, and it opened on the west side of Todai-ji Temple in Nara Park in 2016. The cafe, “Sometimes Cloudy Alborotz,” that was envisioned at that time opened on the same premises in the fall of 2023.
“Strawberries, figs, grapes, watermelons, pears, persimmons… Nara is abundant in fruits throughout the seasons, although it may not be well known,” says Ms. Kawashima.
As she states, the sparkling cakes in the showcase use a variety of seasonal fruits delivered directly from the markets and producers. Another feature here is the use of local ingredients from Nara Prefecture.
One popular item is the tiramisu, served at the end of the course at “Acordu” restaurant. It created a light texture without using mascarpone cheese, and received many requests to be made as a souvenir. It’s said that this wish has come true, and regular customers of the restaurant often visit for it.
Another popular item is the Basque cheesecake, originating from the Spanish Basque region where the owner chef trained. Made with simple ingredients such as cheese, cream, and a little alcohol, the cheesecake retains the flavor of the cheese and is a satisfying treat. There is also a 12cm-sized whole cake available for 3240 yen, perfect for gifts.
Of course, the coffee to accompany the cakes is also from Nara. An original blend coffee made in collaboration with “KOTO COFFEE ROASTERS” in Gojo, Nara, which won the Japan Coffee Roasting Championship, is carefully brewed using hand drip.
At “Sometimes Cloudy Alborotz,” there are also souvenirs that you’ll want to take home as memories of your trip, including about 4 types of baked sweets at all times. One that you’ll want to pay attention to is the large-sized lemon sablé to the size of your palm. It uses plenty of lemon peel and juice, with a lemon-flavored icing. If you eat it in the store, it’s recommended to add an ice cream for 180 yen and enjoy it with the sablé.
The wooden plates on which the cakes are served at the cafe are made by a Nara-based artist, and you can also purchase them. It’s said that the furniture in the store is also made by the same artist.
Ms. Kawashima says, “Through this place, I want to convey the charm of Nara. Even in an age where things are spoken or touched, or connected through the internet, I want this place to be a quietly meeting place through the filter of the store,” and that feeling can be felt throughout.
Nara is known as a walking tourist destination, and visiting as a rest stop in between sightseeing is of course popular, as well as taking out coffee with the cake. Enjoying it while surrounded by greenery such as Nara Park can also be delightful. Visiting “Sometimes Cloudy Alborotz” seems to allow you to experience the charm of Nara that you couldn’t encounter before.