I’m infatuated with Japanese gourmet culture, and @edw_yatsushiro (Espresso D’ Works) rocks my boat and makes my tastebuds sing. I can easily write 10 reasons to convey how impressed I am:
- free water and I can drink as much as I can
- dishes not only satisfied my tummy, but were also a feast for the eyes
- open kitchen concept in which I got to see the staff work together like a troop of busy efficient ants. I saw one staff tasting a strand of spaghetti to make sure that the dish was turning out right. Seriously, who would do that in Singapore?
- got to watch another group of staff baking bread
- the dish came in the form of a set meal (soup, salad and drink). I reckon that this is one more side dish served than in eateries back home
- in the midst of our meal, a staff offered us free bread
- despite the hive of activity, I felt that I was granted more than enough personal space to enjoy with my family.
- that’s because we lucked out and got to eat on cosy sofas. Now, my daughter literally doesn’t like to sit down. The sofa made it easy for her to go to and fro.
- the bookshelf was actually the entrance to the washroom. Seriously, how many restaurants would have secret doors?!
- those books on the shelf. THESE ARE ACTUAL BOOKS ON COFFEE. Yes, I checked. I am a book nerd. But seriously, only the Japanese will go to the trouble of sourcing authentic books to create the picturesque look they want.
In Japan, I just pay the bill without considering whether it is cheap or expensive. The element of surprise, the work ethics in display, and the delightful attention to detail made me think that I was getting more bang for my buck.
The food looks gorgeous.
I think you've posted a few things lately about restaurants that make a point in serving bread they bake themselves. Is this common in Japanese restaurants?
I generally associate bread-baking with Europe, especially France (Americans can't bake worth shit). Is there an established breas-baking culture in Japan?
Looks amazing. I want to eat there too!
Is coffee and curry a thing in Japan? It was a major theme of a recent popular video game
Awesome trip report, thanks for sharing! We're thinking of adding a stop in Singapore for a few days next year, so will keep a note on this place to check it out.
So far, our favorite Japanese food stop in SG was Menya Kokoro. Love their soba. Obviously a very different setup and experience. Keep in mind we're Westerners. And as much as we love foreign foods, please do take any recommendation from us with a healthy amount of salt.