From left: Cook Kenji, Executive Chef Tomo, and general everything Chama. - PHOTOS BY GHOST FOOD REVIEWER
East Japanese Restaurant
MarketPlace Challenge Centre
Shop # 50 & 51
67 Constant Spring Road, Kgn. 10
Telephone: 960-3962
Hours of operation: Noon to 10:30 p.m., Thursdays 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays and public holidays Extra parking at Red Hills Road, beside Ace Hardware
WHENEVER I have the pleasure of visiting friends, this is what I get: "What a wonderful job you have, tasting all that great food. Can I tag along next time?"
So guess what I did? I gave two people the opportunity to choose a restaurant that has not yet been reviewed and do it.
Am I not just the smartest person on earth? I lay in my bed watching a good movie while others went out and did my work. Hello? These two were smart - they chose a restaurant I was dying to go to. Grrr. They chose to review the new guys on the block - East Japanese Restaurant.
Okay, in America it is fast food Japanese but a Miso soup, a touch or two of Sashimi, a tablespoon of that orgasmic Wasabi and a jar of Sake and, baby, I am yours. So I missed out big time. The best part was that I didn't have to be a guinea pig for East Japanese. Now that my ghost reviewers have done it I can now go there and eat just for the sheer joy of it.
Confucius says nothing wonderful and pleasant about going out to dine with high hopes and returning home with long face. Yes, I know Confucius is Chinese and this is a Japanese restaurant. So before it gets worse and without further ado I give you my reviewers report verbatim.
THE GHOST REPORT
East Japanese is a fine spot to sample efficient and aesthetically pleasing Japanese meals. This franchise, that boasts numerous locations in New York, is located in the busy MarketPlace Centre of Kingston (Constant Spring Road, above Half-Way Tree) and has been opened for two months.
Arriving at the restaurant, we were impressed with the decor a pleasing space with vibrant hues of reds, terra cotta and black with bamboo accents on the ceiling. The general manager, Devon Kerr, greeted us warmly at the door and subsequently came to our table to ensure that everything was okay. Kim, our server, was pleasant and attentive Ð obviously well-trained.
MORE THAN JUST SUSHI
There are a number of creative menu choices with sushi and sashimi getting the spotlight. But sushi isn't the only thing on the menu. There is Teriyaki, noodle dishes, chicken, beef, seafood and pork entrees. The variety is interesting a mix of traditional Japanese and modern with creations such as a Mexican, Philadelphia and Dynamite Rolls.
The staff is gregarious and helpful and quick with service. Dressed in kimono tops with black pants, an Asian tone is gleefully set from the moment of arrival. One can sit at individual tables or the sushi bar where restaurant owner Taka swiftly prepares his artistic creations. Those dining on this evening were an upmarket but diverse lively lot, ranging from young professionals, to students, families and corporate executives. It was a good crowd for a Friday evening and the food came out of the kitchen rapidly with servers buzzing around the tables with ease.
However, we were both a bit surprised by the Elvis music that was blaring only Elvis music. Hound Dog, Love Me Tender and Jailhouse Rock literally rocked the place. We understood from the staff this happens every night. We weren't sure how it fits because the ambience is such that you expect to hear more Asian tunes.
We ordered and enjoyed a Japanese beer, Asahi Super Dry. The label is written mainly in Japanese but there is a tagline that reads: The Beer for all Seasons.
CHAMA, A MAN ON THE RUN
What was fun to watch was one little Japanese boy with a wild hair style who kept running past our table with plates of food from the kitchen to the Sushi Bar. He never walked, only ran. His name is Chama. Turns out he's cashier, food runner and floor supervisor. No wonder he is so fast.
One time he ran past us with an interesting plate of food. On his way back, we asked him what it was. He talked as fast as he walked so what he said sounded like Robocop. When our server, Kim, came back to the table, we told her we wished to order a Robocop. Turns out it was a Big Lobster Roll and we changed our minds because that wasn't as exciting as Robocop sounded!
We did our best with ordering, but what Chama was tearing around with seemed far more exciting than what we had. His dishes looked more creative and fancy and things dangling off the plate and spiralling into the air, colours bursting off the plate and some creatures looking as if they had just been plucked from the sea.
WHAT WE HAD
Miso Soup lovely, served hot and very tasteful.
Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura the batter was light, lovely and fresh.
California Rolls it's hard to go wrong with these they were good.
Sashimi, Hamachi, Toro (Fatty Yellow Tail), King Salmon (Norway Salmon) and Salmon. The Toro was served with the traditional Wasabi and ginger and some lovely vegetables on wooden trays. The sashimi wasn't bad but my friend insisted that it was better on a previous visit. I couldn't complain and I have to wonder about her remark because on her first bite she was a bit over-zealous with the Wasabi. I thought we were going to have to call the fire station to relieve her burning sinuses! I doubt she had much taste buds left after that. The Spider Roll was very interesting looking. With soft shell crab, caviar, cream cheese, avocado and cucumber, it was nice, but lacked a little flavour.
With all the excitement, we were invited into the kitchen to take a picture. The head chef prepared a special Tofu Creation that was not on the menu. It was heavenly and I think they should consider adding it to the regular fare.
All in all we had a pleasant meal. We would definitely return. We had another plan for dessert.
JUST DESSERT
Guilt Trip
20 Barbican Road, Kingston 6
Telephone: 876-977 5130
Hours of operation: Tuesday - Sunday 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Closed Mondays
Carryout dessert: Monday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. to closing.
Our next adventure was to be true indulgence Guilt Trip (Barbican Road, St. Andrew). Here, our arrival was in bold contrast to our previous lively Japanese experience. We were whisked into a romantic, peaceful garden of elegant table settings, candlelight, eclectic jazz-fusion music.
The evening was cool and the soft laughter from the surrounding tables added to the overall excellent vibe. Words cannot describe the choices from the showcase filled with tantalising and scrumptious looking exotic cheesecakes, rich gateaux, puddings and cakes.
Finally, a Guava Cheesecake with Butter Cream Frosting drizzled with Tamarind Glaze and a Praline Gateau arrived with Blue Mountain Coffee on the side. The cheesecake was sheer moist perfection. The Guava Topping, heavenly. My Praline Gateau a three-tier cake with butter cream frosting and chunks of praline crisps generously stuffed between each layer was also drizzled with Tamarind Glaze. It was very light, the combination proving quite unusual. The frosting was rich and exquisite.
OUR CONCLUSION
We had a delightful evening but it made us realise that being a food reviewer is not that simple. You just cannot relax and totally enjoy. Camera, focusing, attention to detail, tasting, questioning. We couldn't relax, we had to be observant at all times, and ask permission to take pictures. When we did take the photos, half of them were out of focus or didn't turn out well for one reason or the other.
We could do it again but, yikes, not every week.
