Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Chicken Karaage is one menu favourite of Cocoro's customers. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
After only six months in operation, Restaurant Cocoro, located at Mayfair Hotel, West King's House Close, has already boosted its original menu and added a selection of sushi rolls and vegetarian dishes for your dining pleasure.
Five variations of the sushi roll namely, the California, Mayfair, Fried Shrimp, Pirate's and Coco Roll, join their existing menu, where nothing will be omitted, but reflect the new amendments. Takahiro Sawada, Cocoro's business development manager, notes, "Not all people will eat the raw fish," so their menu extends past the usual fish sushi to include vegetable, shrimp, pork and even jerk chicken sushi. These are served with a 'special sauce', rather than the regular soy sauce that similar eateries usually serve with their sushi - and naturally, they would not reveal the contents of each secret sauce that they promise will give a stronger flavour to the sushi roll.
Cocoro also boosted its menu with a selection of dishes for vegetarians, including their fried tofu, served with noodles and steamed callaloo and carrots.
Tomohisa Natsume, restaurant owner and head chef, hints that customers can expect more intriguing new additions in the future. "At six months, we give you sushi. Maybe in another six months we give you something else new," he said.
The Fried Shrimp Roll is served with a 'special' sauce which gives a stronger flavour to the sushi.
The California Roll has a centre made of crabstick, avocado and cucumber, and is served with wasabi (horse radish) and, of course, Cocoro's 'secret' special sauce.
The Cocoroll, or Pork Katsu, is deep-fried pork and tomato rolled in dried seaweed, rice and sesame seeds.This too is served with a 'special' sauce, in lieu of the ordinary soy sauce.
New menus for your palate
Last week, Food delved into the new menu of Whitebones Seafood Restaurant, one fairly new eatery whose owners are determined to keep their menu dynamic.
Similarly, Restaurant Cocoro, Kingston's newest Japanese Restaurant, has expanded its menu to include a selection of sushi rolls, as well as vegetarian dishes.
By updating the dishes on their menu, local restaurateurs revitalise their brand and keep their customers intrigued.
Some of the more established restaurants, many of which have not altered their menu in years, could use the revitalisation that Whitebones and Cocoro will likely enjoy, by introducing new ways to excite the customer's palate.
