In a city crammed with over 12 million people, digging up a little space to breathe can be a tall order.
With hundreds of thousands of shops, restaurants, businesses and apartments competing for space, little nature is left for the taking, from within the earthy depths of the underground to the maze of streets above and all the way up to the skies. But though huge billboards and neon signs dominate the skyline, a handful of dining entrepreneurs have taken a tip from rooftop savvy cities like New York, San Diego and Los Angeles and created heavenly havens above the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis.
Half the fun is getting to this joint. After disembarking from the lift to enter the ninth floor's bar and lounge, rooftop ramblers are led around an opening in the floor that looks down on a lavish restaurant serving traditional Japanese cuisine. Diners below are scattered around the base of a huge Benjamin tree that branches up through all three levels, making one feel like you've just climbed Jack's beanstalk and will soon discover something magical. Upon reaching the portal to the peak, the anticipation builds with the appearance of a somewhat shaky-looking staircase. Mounting the stairs provides a mild test of bravery (thus no food service on the rooftop), but like many great climbs, the view at the summit is well worth it. The Benjamin treetops are enclosed in a glass pyramid jutting up through the center of the roof, and surrounded by potted plants, trees, and voguish tables, sofas and reclining chairs. Lazing around with a hot buttered rum, ambient music and a view of several neighboring districts, Navi is a prime place to relax with a date when the only plan is to while away the hours in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.