Experience Fine Dining The Traditional Japanese Way At Sugi Restaurant!

When in Manila and would like to take a break from our usual greasy Pinoy dishes, why don’t you try to go on a traditional Japanese style feast like what Frank and I did  this weekend? For our featured restaurant, we’ve chosen a very trusted establishment that has been operating for 30 years! OMG!! They must be cooking up really good stuff to last that long! Made me even more excited, I just couldn’t hide it! LOL

 

Let us take you once again on a gastronomical tour and this time, courtesy of  Sugi Restaurant located at Greenbelt 2!

 

The Destination: JAPAN

 

 Are you ready?

 

A little background: Since my mom stayed in Tokyo during her college years (she majored in Japanese language at Tokyo University), I grew up being very familiar with all things Japanese. Making sushi is quite common in the house as well as frying tempura from time to time however, to tell you honestly,  I haven’t experienced dining the traditional way that’s why I’m so excited to do this feature! Also, Japanese dishes are all neatly and artfully plated so I can’t wait to see the result of our 1st Japanese cuisine shoot!

 

Joining us this week is our blogger friend Ms. Ana Gonzales of Anagon Collection. She’s currently one of the prominent names in local fashion blogging. A really cool down-to-earth kid! Frank and I find her to be very inspiring and an ideal role model for this generation. We’re so glad she said yes to our humble invitation!

 

 with Ana Gonzales of Anagon Collection

 

ready for another adventure with Frank!

 

 

Anyway, moving on with our Japanese feast at the highly acclaimed  Sugi Restaurant, allow me to guide you through this photo story to show you the highlights of this week’s date….

 

 

As we entered the place, we were mesmerized  by the chic interiors

 

 

The place adorned with fine porcelain and oriental icons…. a feast for the eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

busy chefs on the move

 

 

 

 

I sure wished we had the chance to try this out. Aside for having better lighting, it would have made the experience more authentic!

 

 

And then it was time to meet Chef Nakamura! He was kinda shy but was really warm and nice! He arranged the table in a very traditional Japanese way for us! Thank you Chef!

 

 

 

how neat!

 

 

And so we all started clicking..

 

 

Frank doing his thing!

 

Ana enjoyed the photo shoot a lot!  She even blogged about it!! Thanks girl! How sweet!

 

 

THE STARS OF THE SHOW….

 

 

WARNING: The following jaw dropping photos will not only make you drool but will make you wanna lick your monitor as well!!

 

 

Kaiware Kani Salad (250php) –  Radish sprouts and crab meat with your choice of dressing

 

 

as for the dressing, they recommend Japanese mayo and  vinegar with sesame seeds

 

 

ultra fresh and crunchy!

 

 

Assorted Sashimi (750php) – An array of skillfully sliced fresh picks made up of salmon, tuna, blue marlin, mackerel, eel and kani placed on a bed of fresh shredded radish garnished with lemon and wasabi!          

 

 

             

an ocean on a platter

 

 

 

 

skillfully prepared, artfully plated

 

 

Ebi Tempura (390php) – Deep fried crispy fresh all prawn tempura! Best enjoyed while hot! It wasn’t so warm by the time we started eating ‘coz it took us time to take photos. It  tasted very good nonetheless! =) We loved it!

 

 

 

 

Since Ana is a Vegan, she enjoyed  the crispy vegies a lot!

 

 

 

Salmon Aburi Maki (530php) –  Sushi roll with ebi fry topped with slightly seared salmon. This I may say, was the one I liked  the most!! Highly recommended!

 

 

OMG!

 

drooooooooling!

 

 

waaaaaaaahhh!!

 

 

Wagyu Ishiyaki Steak  (620php)  – Wagyu beef and vegetables grilled on hot stone on your table.  Served with 2 kinds of sauce. The meat was really fresh and tender!! Frank loved this a lot!

 

 

 

 

look at that beauty…

 

 

Chief Ason has been working here for 10 years. She gladly assisted us with the preparation! Thank  you Ma’am! =)

 

 

cooked on a hot stone

 

 

we enjoyed talking with her about her career at Sugi as well as Japanese food

 

 

we like it medium rare

 

 

 It’s feasting time!! wwwwwwwoooooooooooot!

 

 

I appreciated this a lot!

 

 

 

a look at my plate

 

 

Frank’s plate

 

 

Ana having a great meal!

 

 

we should all practice healthy eating everyday!

 

 

Frank enjoying his Tempura

 

 

Anagon:  “Ate Mae namatay ako sa sarap! AAhhhhhh”

Don’t worry Ana, I did too! LOL

 

 

 

I’d have to say, this sushi blew me away!

 

 

from the looks of it, I guess Frank loved it too!

 

 

the Sashimi was super fresh, melts in your mouth! It was very soft  and tender!  We were just a little “bitin” with the ideal beverage to make it more balanced. I believe it would have been better if we were served with some tea or the traditional Japanese sake to wash down the aftertaste and for the ultimate experience.

 

 

you can always request for utensils, no worries! =)

 

 

the scene of the crime… LOL

 

 

After that fresh filling Japanese feast, we greeted the rest of the staff and took more photos…

 

 

I wish I wore a Kimono as well! hihhii

 

 

 

 

 

 

with Chef Nakamura

 

 

I’m really proud of our photos for this shoot! Another addition to our fantastic portfolio! Frank and I are fast improving week per week! I’m so blessed to have a photo buddy like him! We do make a great team because we know how to communicate well, we honestly critic each other’s work and most of all, we see to it that we always enjoy each experience! What an adventure!! Also, having Ana as our guest was really pleasant! We can’t wait to invite her over once again! Thank you Anagon for gracing this evening and for the kind words you wrote on your blog about this experience! =)

 

To view the rest of the photos for this feature, kindly visit our humble blog Eats A Date!  Happy viewing!

 

From the ambiance, the staff and food… it was indeed a fine dining experience for us! =) We loved everything especially the Salmon Aburi Maki! We hope we can experience the tatami room next time!  I heard customers may use it for a minimum consumable order of 3,000php. Honestly, we were just a little “bitin” with the drinks. All in all, as to what their General Manager Ms. Ines  Cabarrus promised, we really had a great experience! Thank you so much Ms. Ines  Cabarrus to Chef Nakamura, chief Ason and to the rest of the staff of Sugi Restaurant!

 

Be sure to experience fine dining the Japanese way  at Sugi Restaurant when in Manila!

 

 

Sugi Restaurant

Greenbelt 2, Esperanza Street

Ayala Center, Makati City

Contact nos:   (632) 757-36-78 to 79  and 757-39-86

open daily from 11am-2pm then at 6pm-10pm

 

 

 

Experience Fine Dining The Traditional Japanese Way At Sugi Restaurant!