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2013-06-13
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*******************Environment / Surrounding********************The restaurant impresses you the moment you step in. The cylindrical glass tube that encases their wine to the elegant / modern decor oozes simplicity and class in design. You definitely feel like you have arrived at a nice Japanese restaurant. Japanese designs tend to make things beautifully simple, and this restaurant is a good example.You are greeted by kind staff who quickly escorts you to your table. We had no reservations on a
The restaurant impresses you the moment you step in.
The cylindrical glass tube that encases their wine to the elegant / modern decor oozes simplicity and class in design. You definitely feel like you have arrived at a nice Japanese restaurant. Japanese designs tend to make things beautifully simple, and this restaurant is a good example.
You are greeted by kind staff who quickly escorts you to your table. We had no reservations on a Sunday, and there were still quite a few tables empty on that day.
Rating: 8.7/10
**********************Food******************************
Rating Scale from 1-5
I realise I am quite harsh on these, but for something to reach a 5 it has to be absolutely perfect. A 5 means la crème de la crème of its type and category; my point of view is that there is no such thing as perfect in texture, taste, presentation, smell etc and a 5 is virtually impossible.
0-1: Horrific, inedible
1-2: Will not order it again, and it's below average
2-3: Average joe food. Many places can replicate or make this.
3-4: Quite good and tasty. The higher end of 3 represents that the dish is identifiable to the restaurant and has its own distinctive taste and I will consider ordering again.
4-4.9: Very very tasty and the flavours of the dish is unique to the restaurant. In particular in the mid to higher ends to the 4, the food is almost proprietor-level good.
5: Pure bliss and so perfect that it's inexpressible.
Lunch Set Menu on Sunday:
Lunch Set Menu Left sideLunch Set Menu Left side
Lunch Set Menu Left side
Lunch Set Menu Right side
Appetizer 1: Assorted Sashimi (4/5)
The Sashimi was extremely fresh, airplane fresh.Each piece was delicately precisely sliced, and laid out on a beautiful basket like presentation. The yellowtail and tuna were fantastic. The fish oil that people crave for when they eat good slices of sashimi is present. Each piece melted in my mouth, with the fish oil slowly seeping out of every little knab of the tonge. Each bite allows the texture (a mix of smoothness and tenderness) to sink in.
The fishiness (in a good way) was also present enough to let you taste the freshness flavour. You know it's fresh when you eat it, otherwise the fish usually tastes bland.
Sashimi is well worth reordering.
Appetizer 2: Salad (3.3/5)
The salad that came with was dressed with seasame sauce, with a separate dish of pumpkins on the side.
This is the sesame sauce japanese salad that you often see from many other restaurants. It is always refreshing to have tomatoes, onions and mixed greens. However, there is nothing particular, or special that you can't find elsewhere.
As fo the pumpkin, it was poached, refridged and plain. It was a nice little addition, but nothing special again.
Main Course 1: Angus Rib Eye Teriyaki (3.6/5)
There was a good amount of hokkaido butter spread in the beef, and the beef and onions were well sautéd. The flavour was plentiful, and the rib eye was tendor. Beneath it was a large bowl of rice that would be more than enough for an average person.Each piece of rib eye was cut out to a good size, not too thick nor big. You will consume this dish no time because it's so well executed. There was also plenty of rib eye flavour as the beef was fresh and cooked to medium well done.
Main Course 2 : Black Pork Cutlet with Eggs (3.7/5)
Using black pork always makes this dish so much better. In general, black pork tends to be more tender, juicy and flavourful and it is especially a good choice for pork cutlet dishes when you have to batter and fry or bake them.The eggs were cooked to about 75-80% of the way, which gives the egg a little bit of soggy slippery feel.
Topping it off with the sauce, this makes the dish so wonderful. The pork kept its juiciness and complementing with delicious eggs and sauce, your rice never feels too dry or soaked and the pork full of pork flavour due to the use of black pork.
Mind that this is not the type of pork cutlet that is extremely crispy. They got the pork just right because it had just the right amount of batter on it.
This is well recommended.
Main Course 3: Pan Fried Sliced beef with Foie Gras (3.7/5)
We asked the beef to be cooked medium. The beef slices were again, very juicy and tender like the other dishes we've had. It was full of beef flavour and it was cooked exactly to medium. The sauce was excellent. It didn't overpower the beef, and it was a perfect complement to enhance the beef taste.The foie gras on the other hand, is EVEN better! It was so well executed. Crispy on the outisde, buttery and smooth on the inside. The foie gras was a memorable one indeed. The crispiness was so delicate on the outside as the layer of crispiness was so thin.
Side Dish: California roll (3.6/5)
The california roll, invented in LA, is a very easy to eat and popular sushi roll. What makes or breaks the california roll usually come down to two things: the rice, and the crab meat.Xenri D'zen nailed it on both fronts. The rice was excellent, and they used real crab meat.
By the time we had the sushis...all of our stomachs were so filled we couldn't finish the sushi. The portions of their dishes are very generous, and you will have more than you can eat!
**********************Service******************************
Service was excellent throughout. They were attentive, such that when you need something there will always be a waiter around.
Also extremely patient, they explained the dishes to us and recommended us some good dishes that we ended up having.
The type of food they served, and for the price you pay, the service is on par and it is what you would expect.
**********************Conclusion******************************
This is a great higher end japanese restaurant, and well worth the experience.
From the fresh sashimi they serve, to the well executed hot dishes, they have it all. Not to mention, they have miso soup that I actually enjoy! The portions are plenty generous, and the service is very good.
Although slightly pricey for what you get, I would still come back again and I would recommend this with no hesitation.
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