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Longing to try food that brings something new and unique to the table and excites our palates, just like falling in love for the first time, and given that my guy now way prefers Asian cuisine over European ones, I suggest heading to Izy Dining and Bar instead of other establishments in my wish list. And good thing that it is a trip well-made and well-worth it.
The location, open kitchen, the bar table and dim lights is reminiscent of my favourite places, such as Lolla and maybe Esquina, the hottest spots in town where people gather when the sun disappears from the skyline. Izy's interior does have that industrial vibe, but at the same time, the Japanese influences are strong and the glass lamps hanging from the ceiling add that touch of class to the whole place.
Notwithstanding the chic environment, the star of this watering hole is still the food. And when paired with quality sake, such as Mizubasho, it makes for a hearty yet fine treat. Nokke roll pulls no punches back in impressing us with huge dollops of fresh, creamy, briny uni, well-prepared negitoro, flavourful real crab meat and salmon roe. This is not like any roll I had seen before. The Kappa roll at the base complements the decadent ingredients at the top very well due to its neutral and clean taste that balance the sinful richness of the gems of the sea. And I appreciate how the Japanese chef makes the effort to soak his hands in ice water and plunges the tip of his knife into the cold water before meticulously preparing our Nokke roll while ensuring the freshness of the seafood will not be affected by the warmth.
Japanese food staples, like miso soup and salad, are also pretty good. The crisp vegetables are generously drizzled with Japanese salad sauce. And the soup, packed with lots of chopped vegetables, is very light and clear, which is my preference for miso soup.
The batter used in the Chicken Karaage is one of its kind and a league above others. The pale batter is crispy, with oh-so-slight texture of soufflé incorporated, thin and moist yet absolutely not oily. I love it not only for the unique texture, but also for its light colour—a testament to the fact that fresh oil is used. It is impossible to get that colour with used oil. The meat wrapped in the batter is also fresh, succulent and tender. The sauce poured onto the Karaage has a unique taste—a mix of tangy flavours and unami of dried bonito. While I like the uniqueness of the sauce, I do feel it is a bit too salty for me. My guy loves it thorough and thorough though, since he has higher tolerance for saltiness.
We are pleasantly surprised by how good the plain-looking potato salad is. It just has a dash of finely grinded pepper sprinkled on top, nothing else. But the combination of mashed potatoes with butter and pepper works so well. The pepper adds that subtle kick to the wholesome earthy flavour of potato.
The batter coating the fresh, flavourful prawns and vegetables in the Tempura set is crisper. And when dipped into the tempura sauce, softening it a slight bit, it tastes perfect. Even without the sauce, the tempura still tastes great due to the inherent sweetness of the ingredients, and one may prefer the crunchiness of the batter.
The service is good, being prompt in responding to requests and always eager to interact with patrons. Though one may need to call their number a few times to get through, just take note.
I am totally digging this place because of how the chefs put a new spin on traditional Japanese food. And quality and the essence of Japanese cuisine are not compromised in the process. Not to mention that lunch sets are absolutely value for money, from $18 onwards. Yes, the Tempura set is $18 only. Without a doubt, I will be back for more.
My Thoughts: Impressive!
This restaurant had been revamped to serve local fare.
Latest update: This restaurant is no longer in operation
