GINZA SUSHI ICHI @ SCOTTS SQUARE - "DINNER TASTINGS" - March 7 2012

Tried last week & again this late morning but SUSHI ICHI was fully booked ( it's probably because it's Newly Opened & 1 Star Michelin from GINZA,TOKYO so there could a "rush by those Japanese Foodie Expats here" & also for the Locals & other Foodies - since it have been Reviewed last Sunday by Wong Ah Yoke - The Sunday Times Feb 12 2012 - that most likely created keen interest to check out the latest SUSHI Eats !!! ;-) )

Since I have not been to any upmarket or famous Sushi Eats in ,Tokyo,Japan especially 1 Star Michelin,I am curious and I am also looking forward to taste Fresh Seafood and Ingredients flown in from the famous TSUKIJI FISH MARKET in TOKYO and I would like very much to make comparison with my Fav - Shinji by Kanesaka @ Raffles Hotel ( which I have enjoyed a few times already ! - please check my posting last year 2011 !!! )  ;-)

It have been awhile since my last Enjoyable Japanese Eats @ my Fav Japanese Eats in Hong Kong - SUSHI HIRO ( see my Postings in Nov 2011 !!! ;-) ) And sometimes I enjoy "quick Sushi Tastings @ ITACHO @ ION - But as a Foodie,it's really good to have New Eats to look forward to taste & enjoy !!! And it's another Latest Eats by the PJ Group that already have several Interesting Eats here already !!! ;-)

Of course by just looking @ their Menu below, I will need to "Save Up With Budget Meals For My First Tastings @ SUSHI ICHI" !!! So will start off with their Lunch Menu first !!! ;-)

KAISEKI LUNCH MENU - From : $60 / $110 / $170 / $250

KAISEKI DINNER MENU - From : $210 / $250 / $330 / $450

- BIZEN Dinner Tastings - Appetizer,Assorted Sashimi,Assorted Dishes,Nigiri Sushi ( 8 pcs ) ,Miso Soup & Dessert - $250 -  March 7 2012 -

Many thanks to my good friend - JL !!! It was a really good Wednesday - Enjoyable Afternoon Golf and then finally I have a chance to do a Dinner Tastings @ SUSHI ICHI !!! And once we decided, this time I immediately pre-booked in the early afternoon to ensure there'll be no disappointment that it was fully booked !!! ( I noted that it was true that it actually fully booked except for a few seats - it could be "last min cancellations or reserved for VVIPs" ! )  ;-)

DECOR - Actually i shared their friendly & smiling Restaurant Manager - Tomomi that "I was a bit disappointed" with the Seating arrangement on my arrival since I have pre-booked and requested for a central seating in front of their Head Chef - YUJI YABE !.....especially I have mentioned that I would liked to "admire his preparation skills and presentation !!!" Instead we were arranged in a "L shaped / corner" seating - where is probably not the best for me to watch their Chef's movements ! Probably the Japanese guests were their Preferred Regulars !!!  ;-)

- Chef Yuji Yabe was "camera shy but friendly !"

Read that the Decor is the same as their restaurant in Ginza,Tokyo with usage of Hinoki Wood.Besides the Main Dining Hall,there was a "smallish" Room - which was actually quite "packed & noisey" ( with this lady talking loudly !!! ) so I guessed this was my consolation for the Seating arrangement !!! ;-)

Started with my Fav ASAHI first,then......

MENU - Since it was our 1st Tastings - I checked with their "Pilipina" Waitress on the Most Popular Choice and we decided for "Entry Level" - it will be their Dinner Set Menu - $250 per pax ( because it included both Cooked & Sashimi Items together with the Sushi !!! So a good way to taste the different cooking style !!! Of course - the Star of the Show will be - SUSHI !!! ) ;-)

Appetizer - Deep Fried Edible Lily Bulbs
+ Boiled Ripe Blossoms "Nanohana" Dressed With "Karashi" Mustard
+ "Tatami Iwashi" Dried Baby Sardine
+ Stewed Bamboo Shoot With Mullet Powder
+ Minced Giant Clam

- Enjoyed their Presentation and Preparation for the above prepared by another Chef HIROKI SUDOU from Kyoto ( but it would be better if I knew ahead what was being served or after being served as Chef YABE wasn't fluent in English so we had to guessed what it was during the dinner ! At the same time,he also didn't check with us if there are certain preference ! Guessed he must be hungry too because he suddenly squatted down to have a few bites !!! ;-) )

Sashimi - Flat Fish

Sashimi - Tuna

Sashimi - Bonito

Cooked Dishes - Deep Fried Harvest Fish,Shitake Mushroom
+ "Taranome" Edible Wild Plant With "Ponzu" Juice from
Fresh Bitter Orange

Sushi - Kinme ( Alfoncino )

Sushi - Zuke ( Marinated Tuna With Soy Sauce )

Sushi - Ebi ( Tiger Prawn )

Sushi - Toro ( Fatty Tuna )

Ikura ( Salmon Roe )

Sushi - Anago ( Sea Eel )

Tamago ( Baked Egg )

On SASHIMI and SUSHI - the Taste was Excellent especially with their Seafood flown in from the Famous TSUKIJI Fish Market four times a week !!! ;-)
For the above MENU - for DESSERTS - there was 3 choices ( AgainI couldn't hear Chef clearly on the items below but there's - White Chocolate Mousse / Strawberry Bavarian / Assorted Sorbet ! Fyi - all the names for the items were provided by Tomomi later !!! ;-) ) -

TASTING THOUGHTS - Personally I much prefer SHINJI at this moment but probably since Ginza Sushi Ichi have opened recently so it may take some time for "fine tuning" and then it will really be One Star Michelin Class !!! ;-)
ADDRESS : SCOTTS SQUARE - No.6 Scotts Road #02-02, Singapore 228209
CONTACT : +65 6299 0014
WEBSITE : http://www.sushichi.com/
CLOSED on Every Mondays ( because Tsukiji Fish Market is Closed Every Sunday ! )

Other REVIEWS By :

- epicure - March 2012 - "Fish Fantasy"

- DINE OUT - THEEDGE SINGAPORE - March 5 2012 - "Seasonal Splendour" by Joan Ng

- "A Star Of Ginza" by Annette Tan - Today - Wine & Dine - Friday, March 23,2012