Feature: Creators Behind Cafe 'ON THE CORNER' - Part 3: An Interview with Katsuyuki Tanaka, Barista at BEAR POND ESPRESSO

Creators Behind the Cafe "ON THE CORNER"

Vol.3 Interview with Katsuyuki Tanaka, Barista at BEAR POND ESPRESSO

Art lounge "SUNDAY ISSUE," which opened on July 15th in Shibuya, and the cafe "ON THE CORNER," scheduled to open on Saturday, July 24th. This is the third installment in a series featuring the voices of the people involved in creating these two establishments. Our guest this time is Katsuyuki Tanaka of "No. 8 BEAR POND," the coffee stand attached to the cafe "ON THE CORNER." We spoke with him about the new collaboration between the operating company, partycompany Inc., and BEAR POND ESPRESSO.

Text & Photo by SASAKI Naoyuki

Drawn to the Crazy Fascination of Espresso

July 2009. In a corner of Shimokitazawa's Ichiban shopping street, a coffee stand opened in an old building that was once a candy store. The shop was named BEAR POND ESPRESSO. Despite no significant advertising, it quickly gained support from discerning customers. With many foreign patrons, the sound of English filled the air, evoking the atmosphere of New York's downtown, where Tanaka had spent many years.

—Could you tell us about your background before you encountered coffee?

Initially, I worked as a planner and director in the production department of an advertising agency. It was the bubble era, so I traveled overseas frequently for shoots. That's when I realized that marketing methods abroad differed from those in Japan, and I decided to study them further by enrolling at Arizona State University. I began working in New York in 1995 and then moved to the logistics company FedEx. Around that time, I encountered espresso in New York's East Village, and it changed my life.

—What was the appeal of New York espresso?

While espresso on the West Coast, like in Seattle, is characterized by its mature flavor based on strict rules, in downtown New York around 2001, several cafes were experimenting in various ways. Simply put, there were baristas making espresso with an all-or-nothing approach: either 'incredibly delicious or incredibly bad.' The machine I use now can change the taste if operated even a second incorrectly. Each cup is a challenge, and I was drawn to that crazy fascination.

Katsuyuki Tanaka

—What was the reaction of customers at BEAR POND ESPRESSO?

In the beginning, since there were no other cafes in Japan serving espresso like this, I think the reaction was, 'What is this?' But the reason I'm in this business is to surprise people. When you finish an espresso, where the rich flavor of coffee is condensed into a single moment, a chemical reaction of sorts occurs within the drinker's mind. That's the most important thing. That's why we don't offer any unnecessary services at our shop. Every day, I focus solely on brewing espresso that is even more appealing than the day before.

—What kind of place will the new "No.8 BEAR POND" be?

The espresso machine is a specially customized La Marzocco, imported from the US. We only use specialty coffee beans that score 8 points or higher out of 10. We have a team of three baristas, all with unique personalities. The menu will start with options like latte, cappuccino, single coffee, and latte macchiato. We also plan to sell coffee beans. Following this collaboration, the Shimokitazawa shop will not only continue its existing operations but also serve as a lab, focusing on barista training, menu development, and cupping. It's up to the customers to judge what kind of results will emerge from the collision of partycompany Inc.'s and BEAR POND ESPRESSO's strengths. I hope they'll come and judge for themselves at the shop.

Next, Vol.4, is scheduled for release on Friday, July 23rd. Please look forward to it!

"ON THE CORNER": Enjoy Two Facets, a Cafe and a Coffee & Deli Stand

Upon entering the first-floor entrance, you'll immediately see the coffee stand "No. 8 BEAR POND" and the deli takeout counter. Further inside is the cafe "ON THE CORNER," where you can enjoy a leisurely meal. On sunny days, it's a great spot to enjoy takeout lunch in the adjacent Mitake Park, or perhaps get some work done with Wi-Fi during a break between meetings. It seems like a cafe that can be used flexibly, adapting to your needs and situation.

"ON THE CORNER" is undergoing rapid interior construction for its opening on Saturday, July 24th (as of the time of writing). The interior is filled with bright sunlight. We look forward to seeing the final result and the opening day.

Sample Menu
(Tentative prices. Subject to change based on season and availability)
<ON THE CORNER>
Original Pastrami ¥1000
Falafel (Chickpea Croquettes) ¥600
Jambalaya ¥900
Mushroom Skillet ¥550
Chilled Tomato Bloody Mary ¥750
Smashed Cucumber with Dill, Feta Cheese, and Lemon ¥550
Mexican Grilled Corn ¥450
Grilled Cheese Jalapeño ¥380
Herb and Aromatic Green Salad ¥700
Chocolate Bomb ¥500
Draft Beer ¥580, Glass Wine ¥580~

<NO.8 BEAR POND>
Latte, Cappuccino, Single Coffee, Latte Macchiato, etc…
¥350~

"ON THE CORNER"
1F Mitake Nomura Bldg., 1-17-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6427-7273 (From Saturday, July 24th)
Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Last Order 1:00 AM)
http://onthecorner-shibuya.com/

"SUNDAY ISSUE"
2F Mitake Nomura Bldg., 1-17-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3797-1288 (From Thursday, July 15th)
Hours: 1:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Last Order 11:00 PM) (Tues-Fri)
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Sat, Sun, Holidays)
Closed Mondays
http://www.sunday-issue.com/