WATAMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Call me biased and what not but I’ve got to tell you, it’s not that I’ve run out of places to advertise! It’s just that this was a request made by a close friend I couldn’t deny. There you have it, my reason for dedicating yet another post on Japanese eateries in Singapore. Doesn’t the food look delicious? (Forgive me if it doesn’t, I got my very first complaint on my pictures being a little on the blur side. Working on it!) Without further ado, let’s begin with our look into this other Japanese diner.

I’ll be honest, this was a family meal which I remembered distinctly was my choice of a Saturday night dinner. Watami at Ion was only slightly crowded when we arrived but got really packed as we took our seats. (NOTE: They didn’t allow a phone reservation for me. Explained it as not allowing reservations for that particular time. Weird huh?) Anyways, it wasn’t my first time there… Having already been there once in the past year. So it was time for some Japanese style munchin’ !! AMBIANCE: Watami Japanese restaurant boasts a very delicate design catered very much to suit the Japanese stylings with a modern touch. Wood pieces placed in a similar way like those of spa houses in Japan. 

Our Orders: Starting from the top, we ordered the Mentai Tamago Yaki, Saba Shioyaki, Ebi Tempura with Sushi, Unagi Steamed Mountain Rice and finally the Mountain Rice Una Donburi.  

The Mentai Tamago Yaki is actually Salmon Roe wrapped in a grill-styled egg. Basically a combination of 2 different types of eggs in one bite-size package. With every bite the succulent juices of the egg mix well with the salmon roe to entice your taste buds as they tingle from the perfect unison. Be sure to also have this with a spot of chopped radish served together with it to bring out an additional flavour. Like bread to butter, rice to meats(sauces).. the radish is the dish’s stand-alone carbohydrate counterpart although it is not a carb. This dish is a must try, it cannot be missed!

The next dish is the Saba Shioyaki. Like the Mentai Tamago Yaki, they share the words “yaki” behind the dish’s name. Did you ever notice this word popping up very often? Well the word “yaki” actually means “grilled” like on the grill, “grilled”. If you ever see the word “yaki” it means “grilled”… REMEMBER THAT! So let’s break the name “Saba Shio-yaki” down to… Saba fish grilled the salt style. “Saba” being the name of the fish and “shio” representing salt (you will see this word in ramen stores as well alongside, miso and shoyu as the description of soup base). 

Now, the Saba Shioyaki here didn’t really fit the awesome bill for me as it was quite dry and missed out on the juicy factor it should have. It lacked the WOW factor and passed off as an average fish dish in my honest opinion. I wouldn’t recommend it but I wouldn’t not recommend it either. It’s just a normal passable dish to me on the dinner table, nothing to be very taken aback by. My taste buds did not really want more from this dish, that was for sure. A sad loss nonetheless but I’d give a thumbs up to their fresh chopped radish to the side.FYI: I don’t usually eat radish, I only eat it as its chopped form as a garnish to other foods so I’m saying something here. *hint hint* that Watami’s radish supply is fresh and delicious.

Now, here we have the Ebi Tempura which is popular amongst Singaporeans and coming together with my sushi platter even. I won’t be elaborating much on their sushi-s here because they’re pretty average on a scale as compared to the other Japanese restaurants I’ve been to. The Ebi Tempura is also not very fantastic but of course on a passable scale much higher than the Saba shioyaki. This is a dish you would want to try for the crunchiness of the prawn.

Yes people, Ebi Tempura must come with a crunchy prawn very nicely separated from the deep-fried flour overcoat (which is the meaning behind Tempura. Ebi means prawn while Tempura is the description for the cooking style of deep-fried flour overcoating). Watami would not be the best place to get your tempura but it passes on my scale for the clean separation of the prawns from the flour. The review seems like it’s going down for Watami isn’t it? I’m sorry I’ve tasted better… then. 

Well if you think you’ve just dropped all your interest for Watami as your next family meal or whatever meal destination… You should really hear this out. Now Watami at Ion does not actually boast a wide array of “Don-buri”s as compared to other Japanese restaurants like Sushi Tei and all. Most of their menu comes independent of rice in a sizable proportion to its main dishes. However, I did spot this wild mountain rice unagi claypot set. This one… was how do I put it… Alright let’s give it to the gamers’ community, GOD-LIKE. 

The set, comes with the mountain rice in the age-old claypot style cooking. Heated slowly under a supposed “charcoal” flame, the claypot wild mountain rice contains mushrooms and other vegetables grown on the mountains. Like the mountain folk of Japan, the dish is brought before you in this comfy air-conditioned restaurant. The unagi comes separate, already grilled lightly before hand and need only be placed within the confines of the claypot atop the wild mountain rice. It brought me into character, like them mountain folk cooking his meal over the small charcoal stove. 

The Unagi(eel) is heated within the confines of the “pot” and melds well with the rice, giving rise to a blend which brings warmth to the heart! Please blow over it if it’s too hot and don’t gulp it down!! Anyways, every mouth brings you closer to the beautiful old town Japan like a little essence of it seeps right into every grain of it. Simply magical. Definitely a big thumbs up for me!! MUST NOT MISS!!

Who can have a meal without completing it with a dessert? Thus here it is, a mix of matcha(green tea) waffles with a nice chocolate coated vanilla ice cream balls akin to Pino(refer to picture below). Tasting exquisitely delicious with its perfect crunch of  the crust, the waffled matcha ice cream is a good way to end the otherwise heavily grilled/fried meal before. Exceptionally brilliant. :)

This, people is Pino. A very tasty Japanese vanilla inside with a chocolate coating. Tastes awesome! Make sure to Get it! :)

Overall Review: Here comes … *drumrolls* my verdict! Well, I wouldn’t place it as excellent on the high side since I’m the extremely picky and particular. Watami earns a nice and average 6.5/10 for me. They have a nice array of different dishes but I would definitely want to see more rice sets.. blame it on me being asian. So much for it being a Japanese restaurant as well. I did remember my mum ordering an extra portion of rice for the food being just weird absent of rice. The rice quality is passable as a California rice brand but it needs to pay more attention to its roots. Get Japanese rice please! Anyhow, don’t be disheartened readers .. if you’ve made your mind up to try this place please do so. They offer loads of attractive set meals for lunches and sorts so it’s an ease on the wallet in the middle of money-demanding town!

Neither did I criticize on the food being bad now did I? Well, with that set in the back of my pocket. It’s time to get up off your seats and head on down there right? It’s easily accessible and of course should not be missed even amongst many other restaurant choices as its neighbours. Service is good and I might say their tea is delicious with the accompaniment of its sushi platter. So knock yourselves out at this place if you’re not so much into rice and just love its set meals of affordable and of course passable Japanese food standards. Please be advised, this has been reviewed by a Japanese who has tasted Japanese home cooking in and out of Japan and even restaurant standards from the country itself. If I say it’s passable, it’s definitely a place to patronize the food here because I wouldn’t even want to start on which Japanese restaurants are bad in our dear Singapore. More than my fingers and toes put together that’s for sure. Watami, Fight on! :)

Address: 

2 Orchard Turn, #B3-23 ION Orchard, Singapore

Tel: +65 6509 9366

F.Y.I: There are more than one Watami outlets in Singapore. This is merely a review on the outlet at Ion Orchard. Much like my other reviews(unless mentioned), they have been from their specific joints. Food standards may vary from place to place. Although, that’s really not good but forgive franchising and you don’t expect the chef to be mechanical + in 2 places at one time, do you? 

Till next time then everyone, 

"wash your hands before you eat!" 

TWG

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this for the first time. Using my blackberry right now to blog this. Amazing isn’t it? How such a small device can do such wonders!! The power of media now. Anyways, today’s kind of a rainy day and what I would give for some relaxing and soothing teas and perhaps some scones… But mainly just the tea. So I decided that today, I’ll talk about a nice tea joint I’ve recently visited for a little writing venture I wanted to pursue. We’ll have a look at the much talked about TWG tea house.

AMBIANCE: I was visiting the Marina Bay Sands(MBS) branch that day and I have to say, the ambiance is simply fantastic. It felt very foreign being seated above a “man-made river”. A false feeling of being in Venice, quite well carried out. Applause for both MBS and TWG for allocating and securing such a great spot for a little tea loving experience. Although the river may not look very spectacular, one would still enjoy the very interesting view skyward. The spacious view overhead to the roof of the MBS shopping centre gives off a modern feel with its numerous glamorous posters and escalators. I did however feel like a caged animal to be stared at by passing shoppers.. Hmm. Dali Salvador’s poster did take my attention off though. The art science museum.. Ahh. Ok Digressing!! The architecture of the little tea house was beautiful with it’s finely furnished woods, I’m guessing redwood. The furnitures are finely selected and the presentation pastries, simply gorgeous. I would say the lighting in the display cabinets do help to make it look extremely appetizing. Especially… (Wait for it…) The macaroons!! So came the time for me to order the tea… From about say 100 over different blends?! What was I to choose? Well, they did make things a little less difficult and definitely interesting when they presented to me an entire teabook. A book filled with the numerous descriptions of all their blends nicely categorized by country and caffeine strength. Well prepped eh? Thumbs up!! TWG also boasts a very unique style of tea preparation. They follow the French brewing style which is strict on its one time tea leaf usage. The best of the best must not be degraded by a blander taste.. That kind of thinking? Posh Posh.. Thumbs up for me!!

MY ORDERS: I was feeling adventurous so I decided to have a tea with the strongest caffeine level. It didn’t take long for the waiters to recommend their strongest blend, a good start that they know their stuff. Thumbs up again!! The Rwanda Express BP1, a blend introduced to Rwanda, Africa in ther 1960s. It is a high quality black tea which is rich and malty. The black tea leaves are blended with the vigour of cracked coffee beans, the best of both worlds. It is recommended to have a mix with milk for those who find the bitter flavour less appealing. The milk addition allows a lasting and soothing aftertaste but still holds a very heavy punch. For those into the bitter tastes, the blend without milk brings about the raw feeling of coffee beans. A very rejuvenating drink to wake the mentally and physically fatigued soul and body. Uplifting. All just for $11/pot for this gourmet tea!! Alternatively, I requested for the soother of the bunch, the one tea that would induce sleep. It’s the no caffeine and light tea called the Jade of Africa tea. The Jade of Africa is a South African red tea enhanced with subtle fragrance of red berries and a sprinkling of sunflower petals. A light, fruity tea for any time of the day. I did try something rather odd though, tasting it in spoon size and from sips off the cup. From a spoonful of the tea, a very weighty feeling settles in your mouth. It has a bitter-bland fruity after taste when taken from the spoon. From the sip, the taste is on a lighter side and would serve well to calm and relax. Sip this tea, don’t gulp it down. That’s the word of advice!

LOCATIONS:

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place #01-22, Singapore 048619

Tel: +65 6538 1837 Fax: +65 6536 7178 Open Mon - Fri 10am - 8pm

Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn #02-21 Singapore 238801

Tel: +65 6735 1837 Fax: +65 6736 1837 Open Daily 10am - 10pm

Reservations: Mon - Fri from 10am - 11am 12pm - 1230pm & 630pm - 830pm

TWG Tea Boutique

Takashimaya Dept Store, B2 391 Orchard Road Singapore 238873

Open Daily 10am - 10pm

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique on the Bridge

The Shoppes at Marina Bay SandsB2-89/89A, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972

Tel: +65 6535 1837 Fax: +65 6221 1837

Open Daily 10am - 1030pm and until 12 midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holidays.

Review: I enjoyed myself immensely, hearty chats with the company I was with. Savouring tea whilst in the ambiance and great care of the staff. It was indeed an experience you wouldn’t want to miss on a lazy Sunday afternoon unless you’re rushing to get back to camp(army boys). Don’t miss it for the world, it’s an experience for the entire family. Don’t miss the numerous delicious cakes, pastries and… Macaroons!! FYI guys, TWG was established in Singapore in celebration of its spice and herb + tea trade history. Be proud, Singaporeans! Come sample them teas with your family, you don’t expect me to taste all 100 over flavours myself, do you? Rating: An 8. Would do better if them kids stop staring from them escalators goin’ up and down. GAH! Oh well.. 

Till next time, 

"wash your hands before you eat!"

Saffron Indian Bistro

I was looking through the food photos in my Blackberry, trying hard to think what kinds of food I would introduce to revitalize this blog. Then it struck me when I remembered this memory vividly. This particular restaurant was somehow linked to the previous post on Baikouken Ramen. It was when I was hungry for Ramen a second time that I brought my besties to the same place, near boat quay. It was a Monday and Baikouken just happens to close on Mondays, CARELESS ME!! It was really by chance that we decided to sate our North Indian taste buds as we stumbled upon Saffron just moments later. Yes, the two restaurants are really close. 

Ambiance: Saffron certainly was quite the different setting and don’t be fooled by their quiet environment, this here bistro actually has a long list of guests waiting to patronize it. There’s always been a significant difference when you think North Indian as compared to other Indian cultures. The North Indian cultures are closer to Arabic cultures and there is just one thing about lighting they seem to like to play with. Along with the scents of mint or herbal spices and leaves, they bring about this sensual environment. Yes, I mean relaxing and rather sensual. Lights dimmed down to allow the table candle more presence in your dinner company. The bistro definitely gets a thumbs up for bringing you into the mood for some “kick back and relax” moments. North India never felt so close, though I could’ve done with some nice live dinner music but the perfect radio station choice was a pass on their part. Furniture also plays a part and the Bistro has done wonderfully in matching the colours well, one wouldn’t think the overly-red surroundings to be anything of an eyesore. That’s if you have an eye for Indian embroidery and are in the mood. 

Food: I wouldn’t say I tasted 90% of the menu but the two things to not miss here as of the Chef’s recommendation, would be the Naan and Biryani. The Biryani originated in South Asia and is popular in most Muslim countries, not forgetting North India and Arabia. It is a rice dish that is cooked with spices and herbs in layers before being served with meats of different types. The meats include mutton, chicken and fish not forgetting the occasional eggs and vegetables of different sorts which come in a curry. The curry I ordered was mutton, my personal favourite and definitely the pride of their very culinary skills. The other curry was my bestie’s choice of Fish. (cause she don’t like them chicken!)

It feels like a union of two very different, very balanced blend. Remember the word, UNION. Biryani rice layered in different smells and spices accompanied by the hard-hitting flavours of the curry, that is the UNION. Smooth textures of the mutton with its crisp, rubbery bite size coupled alongside the slightly olive tasting rice was just astounding. The fish was very well cooked as well, eliciting the fine aromas of herbs sliding slowly down its steaming sinews. Food bliss! *CAUTION: Do not underestimate this small portion it comes in as it would fill your stomach right to the brim, somehow.*

The other recommendation by the chef that night was the Naan. The North Indian specialty source of carbohydrates which go perfectly with the curries. However, the Naan did not originate from North India but came from Persia? The Persian bread boasts a great texture which leaves the mouth watering and wanting more. I would describe it as a breath of air through each bite since I always believed it was a play with the foldings in the makings of it. The air spaces perhaps created a space for the perfect crusting of the bread inside and out as it cooks on the flat grill. The curries which are carefully cooked with the addition of different herbs and spices, this three-way combination would knock your socks off!

There was one other thing that spiced my interest and want to advertise this restaurant. That being their very special mint sauce. Unfortunately, the chef didn’t reveal the secret blends behind the special sauce which went so well with the meats in the curry and a dip for the Naan. Something you wouldn’t want to miss!! Always a plus for a mystery in the menu, no?  

Extra info:

 1) Most foods here are cooked in spices and herbs. If you have bad allergies to some herbs, please consult with the chefs or waiters. It’s not nice getting all puffy in a setting of red.  

2) Did you know? Saffron in cooking or Saffron Crocus is actually a spice first cultivated in Greece and still holds the long-standing most expensive spice in weight. It is also commonly mixed up with its wildly common cousin, the meadow saffron? Also, saffron herbs are poisonous to a certain dosage! They’re in the Biryani! Oh no! Don’t worry too much though, it won’t be in a killing dosage for our adaptable human tummies. So, feel free to eat as much of it as you like!! :)

Location Address:

50 Circular Road, Singapore 049405 (Parking at UOB Plaza)

Tel : 6536 5025 Fax : 6536 0852 

Operating Hours:

Mon to Sat : 11am - 11pm (Last order at 10.30pm)
Closed on sunday

[Don’t be a careless one like me and go there stomping off in rage cause they aren’t open!]

Overview: Well, it’s time to settle the scoreboards here on my review. On a scale of 1 to 10. I would give this restaurant a nice 8. It’s definitely got my tummy wanting another nice visit for its delicious array of North Indian and I did realize Persian, Arabic, etc foods. Perhaps, I would review it again for the rest of its menu very soon. Can’t wait!! FYI, rates can always drop… or RISE! *big star eyes* 

Well, till next time,

 "wash your hands before you eat!"