Boring offerings
K is always drawn to Japanese restaurants and seeing the queue was manageable, we decided to join it. However, I had a bad feeling since first of all, nothing particularly attracted my attention after glancing through the menu at the entrance. (Probably explains why I’ve skipped the outlets at OC and Suntec, too).
Before we could change our minds, a staff approached us with an available table. Turned out the people in front were a large group. But we were seated right beside the kitchen, at one end of a U-shaped table, I on a chair while K on the tatami platform. Not quite happy about it since I caught a whiff of funky smell every now and then, either from the garbage in the kitchen or the line of shoes on the steps.
Ootoya dishes up teishoku, or set meals accompanied with appetizer, rice and soup. However, the permutations of chicken and pork with an occasional tuna were hardly enticing. After turning the menu over several times, we finally settled on two rice dishes, a la carte.
My kimchidon ($13) arrived first. Four pieces of grilled pork were tender enough, which were stir-fried with kimchi. Unfortunately, the mix of vegetables, while crisp, severely lacked spiciness.
K’s sumitoridon ($11) came soon after. The char-grilled chicken thigh marinated with special sweet sauce was juicy and crispy, but uninspiring considering it’s served with fresh lettuce and seaweed.
After polishing off our rice bowls (at least we liked the short-grain pearl rice), we had to remind a waitress of our dessert and, lo and behold, she came over with the menu to “double-confirm” our order instead.
In any case, the maccha mousse ($7) was worth the trouble. The Kyoto Uji matcha mousse was intensely flavored – bitter with a hint of astringency – just the way it should be. Served with milk ice cream and Tokachi red bean paste, they provided a sweet contrast to the green tea mousse.
Apart from the dessert, the food was mediocre at best. We were lucky not to have queued long for it. Service was inattentive – our warm water and dessert order were totally neglected. Granted, it’s a busy Saturday evening.
Note: May appeal to those watching their diets since caloric value for each dish is stated on the menu. UOB cardholders are entitled to 10% discount.
Total damage: $32.85
The Whimsical Palate 