Ever been to a maid cafe’?

I finally managed to go to the Royal/T, the maid cafe in Culver City, after finding it closed the last time.

So I was in Culver… and I have to say, it was a nice experience. If I were to organize an event - especially one with a Japan or Tech or Trendy flavor to it - I would definitely think of the Royal/T. Even cause it’s the place where I found the awesome iPod Toilet (see that here) and the colorful Lolita Tea Party.

Situated in what looks like a refurbished and highly refined storehouse, The Royal/T has various elements that blend together into this hybrid venue for entertainment:

1. a Maid Cafe
2. a Art Gallery - with a lot of Takashi Murakami art.
   
3. a small goody shop

The Maid Cafe’ is refined, with the waitresses all dressing in the typical Akiba attire - but naye, they do not call you Master. (understand a bit more about Akiba here).

The quality of their bar is really good, the silverware fancy, the service kind and good looking.

I got a cappuccino and was extremely pleased with it… (and being Italian that should be a pretty good endorsement ^_^)

The bar area has a bit of detailing the gives it that touch of extra Akiba flavor, while probably trying to stay away from making it Otaku…

The cafe area is also placed in the middle of a series of expo rooms enclosed by plexiglass which give the whole place the feeling of being in the cafe of some fancy museum/art gallery… I’d like to buy some of these pieces, but I think they are uber expensive…

Weird one eyed thingy in a box…

And some more art.

Finally you can visit the store area… almost not a real store. It still feels like something that is put in place to try to capture the Akiba feel…

The prices on some of the statues on sale here confirm that the Royal/T does not want to turn into a Otaku-fest where LA otakus come to chill and by Akiba kind of stuff…

What? $145???!?!

Yeah, there are only 4 models in the store and the prices are quite high. That clearly states, this is not an Akiba shop.

On the other hand the maid cafe menu is good and not pricey… here is an excerpt.

Imho - the Royal/T is a great place for a bit of Akiba flavor but is definitely not the same as an Akiba maid cafe’. It’s more like a art gallery meets a maid cafe … the result is a great entertainment venue with a lot of style.

So, don’t go buy your manga and statues there, but do go experience some great art, atmosphere and a touch of Akiba while eating at a refined little restaurant/cafe.