Canes & Tales at Waldorf Astoria Osaka introduces The Great Railway Bazaar, a menu inspired by American novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux’s rail journey across Europe and Asia and the happy accidents that make travel memorable.
Waldorf Astoria Osaka – Canes & Tales
The menu spans five famous railways – the London Underground, the Orient Express, India’s Grand Trunk Railway, Japan’s beloved Shinkansen and the International Express which journeys across Southeast Asia. Each is represented by two cocktails bringing to life the flavors of the region – with one offered in both alcoholic and alcohol-free versions – inviting guests to wander any path that speaks to them.
The menu brings to life the joyful serendipity of travel, evoking the unexpected encounters and discoveries that make travel so memorable as chronicled throughout Theroux’s book. Each cocktail invites guests on a memorable and experiential journey through the art of mixology, personal storytelling, and Waldorf Astoria’s legendary hospitality.
Canes & Tales – Glenfiddich cocktails
“Having made my way from Europe to Asia and experienced many of these great train voyages, this menu is a deeply personal expression of my journey and career, while also designed to speak to travelers and locals alike who visit our bar” says Director of Beverage Dominic Dijkstra.
Every cocktail is built on a split base of two core spirits – one Japanese, one international – representing the connectivity and merging of cultures found throughout the world’s greatest railways. London Calling reinterprets the Ramos Gin Fizz with Japanese flavors, combining iichiko Saiten Shochu, Farmer’s Gin, Amazake, cream, strawberry, beetroot, lemon, lime, sugar, egg white, and Perrier, while Chai After Dark merges flavors of India and Kansai in an Irish coffee riff featuring Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky, Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, Mancino Bianco Vermouth, coffee, Kokuto (Okinawan black sugar), chai and vanilla cream.
Canes & Tales – Team
The cocktails inspired by the Orient Express span their namesake train line’s journey from Paris to Istanbul, with the Bitter Departure in the style of a French aperitif with Scarlet Aperitivo, Campari, peach, strawberry, tomato, sansho and Perrier, and Between Borders showcasing traditionally Turkish ingredients and flavors representing the destination of the original Orient Express, with olive-infused Haku Vodka, Belvedere Vodka, Miyanoyuki Yamada Nishiki Daiginjo Sake, Saijo Shiro Hon Mirin, absinthe, olive oil, bay leaf, paprika and dill.
The Southeast Asian-inspired Sgroppino, Floating Market features Dassai Nigori Sparkling 45 Sake, passionfruit & lime leaf verjus, guava, butterfly pea, white miso & coconut ice cream, also available without alcohol; Japan comes to life in the Nozomi, a rich and complex mix of Yamazaki NV Whisky, Glenmorangie 12 YOWhisky, Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, Scarlet Fernet Amaro, toasted shokupan, butter and anko.
Peacock Alley – Cuppa T, Cereal Bowl
The Great Railway Bazaar menu follows Canes & Tales’ previous collection of cocktails which was inspired by the short stories within F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tales of the Jazz Age. The tales inspiring the cocktail menus share a common sense of literary escapism, inviting guests on a transportive journey through intriguing timeless narratives.
Found on the 28th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the intimate 47-seat bar lies tucked at the end of a dimly lit corridor behind an alluring dark green door, distinguishable only by a symbolic gold ampersand. Inspired by Manhattan’s intimate hideaway bars, Canes & Tales carries forward Waldorf Astoria’s rich cocktail heritage, rooted in the brand’s New York origins.
Canes & Tales in Osaka, Japan, is open Sundays through Thursdays from 5pm to 12am, Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 1am. Reservations may be made here and walk-ins are also available. For more information, visit the website here or follow on Instagram @canesandtales.
