This has been on my list for quite a while now, and I finally decided to read it today. Why the hell did I put it off for so long? is what I had thought when I finished reading. Personally, I like the art and I think the way it looks a bit sketchy fits perfectly with the story. Though there were some angles in which I thought the face was completely off, there were also some panels in which I thought the art was absolutely sexy. So all in all, the art is either hit or miss, love it or hate it. 9.5/10

Plot wise, there's nothing I could really pick on other than the fact that I wish it was a bit longer. I do agree with gloomy gloo that Akira's feelings were developed a bit too fast, but I also want to add that I also find Torihara's feelings to be developed pretty quickly. Hell, they didn't explain very much on how it developed other than he just couldn't help himself. I also found myself thinking a bit like Torihara in the last chapter while reading this story, cos' somehow, Akira's feelings seem somewhat "suspicious" or not fully-developed, so that was a bit of a step-back for me...but then again, the somehow not-so-genuine feelings gave me the realistic feel. Lastly, I just wanted to add that the fact that both characters tend to overthink about everything was kinda cute, and it gave me the warm-fuzzy feelings, haha. 8.8/10

Now for the one-shots. The first oneshot was great, that's all. It has so much potential and it could be longer if Yamashita Tomoko wanted to, but I think her decision to end it like that was just perfect. It had a lot of angst and I like the whole connection with his contacts, it for sure didn't fall short as a one-shot. 9/10

The second one-shot, ahhh. This one was kind of disappointing, I honestly don't remember what happened right after I read it, so I had to read it again...it was fairly cute, though. I like Kawabe's "You want me to freakin' murder you?" 7.7/10

All in all, Dining Bar Akira left me satisfied after I read it. I didn't really expect much since it was only one volume, but damn, this alone is better than many other yaois I read that span 5-6 volumes.
The average I got for this manga was 8.75, but I think I'll go for a 9.

... Last updated on February 13th, 2011, 9:35pm

To me, the main attraction in this story is Torihara. Even though this manga's art style isn't exactly to my taste, I still find him very well-drawn and his emo-ness only makes him more attractive. It's also refreshing to have a younger, more mature seme with an older, immature uke, lol.

The parts I don't like is how Akira's feelings seem to have developed a bit too fast, and him freaking out over everything can become annoying.

Other than that, though, I do like how their relationship is portrayed in a simplistic way, free of melodrama that is so prevalent in most yaoi. I also enjoyed cameos of the other characters, but I was hoping that maybe there was more about Maki-san and his relationship with Akira.

Now about the one-shots...I really wanted a continuation of the one called Foggy Scene. It had so much potential to become a longer story but was instead ended much too abruptly and inconclusively.

The other one, called Riverside Moonlight, also could have been made into a longer story, but it was good for a bit of crack nonetheless.

... Last updated on July 26th, 2010, 9:04pm

The translation is a little weird. Sometimes I didn't know what the heck the characters meant when they said something. It could have been a lot clearer in places. It looked nice and clean, though, so that's good!

And I LOVE the cover art! So fun!

Also, I wish the manga had been a little more serious (less shouting and palms slapped to foreheads and stuff), mostly because the manga art style looks more serious, so that's what I expected... and wanted... I jut think it would match better.

but depressing as well... like all the works of this mangaka, they are deep, disturbing, well executed, surprisingly real life like but I'm getting tired of being depressed. I know that life looks like that, I'm an adult after all, I've seen so many unhappy endings in real life... and that's why I read mangas and books. I don't want to look at unhappy people all the time. I want a story that will cheer me up. This story is way too depressing, too fuckin' real. Especially the one shot.

The art is very good, it has that special something also the story is memorable, it's a really good yaoi despite being sad.

... Last updated on June 2nd, 2018, 11:01am

Surprising (to myself) that I even got interested in this. It seems a bit too slice-of-life for my liking, and the art style is definitely not the kind I usually go far (shojo-manga/androgynous types). But for some reason I like the art despite it being more down-to-earth. I suppose it's because the art style has a very appealing angular structure and its style is still very... manga-ish. (That's the best way I know how to put it. I mean, usually one can tell between a manga art style, manhwa, and American comic right? Sorry, I'm terrible with words.) I think the biggest plus is that the main characters aren't too built, and are definitely not girly in build.

OK, so first 6 pages or so, for some reason Torihara resembles Zoro (One Piece) so much to me. And since I got here from Googling cooking manga, I keep seeing Akira as Sanji because of that stubble.
OTL WHY. I mean I don't even take that pairing seriously! Not that I wouldn't support it because I like any pairing that resembles my OTP--but that's not the point--!!
...Akira is such an unconscious tease.
Pfffft--What is that kid DOING. I love how Akira keeps running to Daddy.
I don't get it. Akira is likely straight--how is he okay with going along this? There's no "I'll think about it" in these situations. Gah! Well, that's way better than the alternative cliche, but still.
So far, I'm really liking the humour. Akira's freaking-out pose is quite amusing.
Some shots are really... quite sexy.
...As funny as that confessional in front of Tori's door was. ...I am so calling BS. His reason for not being able to stop thinking about Tori is total and complete bulls--HOLY FEMALE BONER.
asjghlzaisuhgisghs "I'll come back for it later." FFFFFFF--
...Akira is like, four. I swear.
Tricked into being a stupid homo. ...That's one way to put it.
Akira has awesome one-liners, he does. Witless they may be.
I'm kind of impressed. It's definitely not the typical melodrama--and the thought processes are definitely more masculine (well, men ARE action over emotion). Akira's fears are understandable and not far-fetched, but are poetic in an austere manner, and somehow still interesting.
Crap, I just read "Torihara" as "Orihara", and now I can't read it as anything else and can't get a certain sexier-than-all person out of my head, along with his hunky counterpart. Fffff. (No, that's only my 3rd top OTP.)
Wow. Akira doesn't even shut up then and there. And ends it with an epic one-liner.
I think a lot of times, the humour is misplaced, but that's the mood, I suppose. And heck, this manga really does have me giggling constantly.
asflaiurhgapirg "Your hat smells like shit. Baaarf. (For the third time.)" THESE TWO.
Okay, so I liked the main story. A lot.
The staff are all amusing characters--and the second oneshot was cockblock incarnate--though I think that was the intention. I'm saving the end of the first oneshot for last, aaaand...
WHAT. WHAAAAT. IT WAS SO AMAZING AND THEN--FFFFF. WHAT HAPPENS, DAMMIT. Nothing? Is that all?! Not even a bittersweet conclusion?! Fffff!! Don't leave me hanging after something so beautiful! DAMMIIIIIIT.

Personally, I love the art. It feels very earthy and far more masculine than most of the other yaoi I've read. The relationship between them feels pretty good too, as an older couple (which, getting older myself, I connect to easier and easier!). Toki having it together and Akira being nervous about changing course after decades of living on one path ... well it makes sense. It works.

And it can be SO funny!

In some parts I agree with gloomy gloo, Torihara was my main attraction in this story too, but I don't agree with that Akira is freaking out about everything, I think Akira had rather well explained reasons for what I wouldn't really call freaking out and I didn't find it annoying at all, it actually made it more interesting for me and unusual to read since I don't often stumble across this kind of yaoi.

This kind of art is not something I would usually go for, but I was suprised how much I liked it in the end and I think it turned out great. So I say you should give it try, it might suprise you.

The thing I like is how it shows relationship between two men and not some girl-like guy.I like the way their relationship progress and how artist took her time with it, not hurrrying it.The simplicty of it (as gloomy glo mentioned free of melodrama), in a way shows you how we sometimes forget what really matters in relationship.

Characters are really sweet and cute and I loved their personalities. I liked how Torihara at first sight seems cold and not caring, but actually it's quite opposite of that. Akira is also special in his own way.

And about one-shots, I think gloomy gloo said it all.

All in all..I really enjoyed this manga which isn't some typcial yaoi and I think it's really worth reading this one and you won't be making mistake by it! I hope you like it as much as I did

... Last updated on November 17th, 2010, 11:02am

I mean i liked it tho i would have wanted it longer and kinda more detailed (like their sex life hehee). I dunno but i really liked it. Kinda warm,kinda sweet and adorable. I liked the art too, i liked the setting, and the characters were human and likable. Somehow touching....i dunno but it was good <3 u understand if u try reading it~
About the one-shots....the first was crap xDD the only good thing about it was the main chara (Tohru was his name i think) was good looking and cute~
....the second one-shot was weird and too short =__o
Ahaha i liked the extra pages about the other workers at the bar!!! Really i want more of this!! x))

... Last updated on September 26th, 2015, 12:12pm

One of the few yaois that doesn't have a cliche plot so I tried to stick with it until chapter 2. But the art was so not my cup of tea, it distracted me away from the goodness of the manga. It can be a good read if the art doesn't bother you.

... Last updated on May 1st, 2014, 12:03am