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Showing posts with label chotto matte in bgc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chotto matte in bgc. Show all posts
Thursday, June 29, 2017
IZAKAYA SENSU: New Japanese Dishes to try in BGC

With more and more Japanese Restaurants opening left and right, it seems that authenticity has declined. Some restaurants tend to have a more dominant sweet Filipino flavor in their Japanese dishes just to cater to its market. Thankfully IZAKAYA SENSU in BGC has decided to put it in the middle. Without sacrificing too much, a balance is achieved with each dish they serve.
As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a small sushi bar. Here, different rolls and sashimi are prepared fresh for everyone by their master Japanese chef. Drinks are also a must as IZAKAYA SENSU is the other half of CHOTTO MATTE. Known for their Japanese cocktails, their SAKE offerings are no different either. The ASIAN BEAUTY is great way to start a meal. Very smooth and aromatic, the sake has one of the highest grade. The rice used was 50% polished so the extracts are right there where you would want them.
New dishes were prepared for their JULY LAUNCH. There was a set of rolls that were created to make use of the fresh ingredients. The first thing that would catch your attention would be the colorful RAINBOW ROLL. A mix of blue fin tuna, salmon, white meat fish, and horse mackarel, variety is the name of the game. Another variety that would interest you would be the ABURI UNI and IKA. Sea urchin is mixed with squid and a number of garnish are torched to create a creamy outer layer. The ika or squid might be a little slimy at first but the texture compliments the entire dish.
If there was only one roll to pick, it would have to be the dynamite roll. Salmon and blue fin tuna are mixed with chili powder and tempura flakes. This gave it a bit of crunch and punch.
Surprisingly, IZAKAYA SENSU has brought out a couple of soup dish that are cooked table side. The first would be the "CHAN CHAN" NABE - SHAKE MISO. It's a shabu-shabu that uses Norwegian Salmon. Fresh vegetables helps flavor the broth. From here, one should dip the salmon  for less than a minute to produce perfection. The liquid in itself is a bit salty but with go well with the accompanying noodles. It actually makes sense to have this with rice.
For meat lovers, the WAGYU SUKI-YAKI would be perfect. Delicately sliced wagyu and other fresh ingredients are mixed in a sweet Japanese soy sauce broth.
The meat in itself has great marbling and could be cooked in less than a minute. After such, drown it in the provided freshly cracked egg. This in turn, adds sweetness and brings out the flavor of the meat really well.
Dessert is very similar to a green tea parfait. Having different toppings, the ANMITSU is a refreshing end to a heavy meal. With red beans, fruits, and even mochi balls, you won't go wrong with having this spoonful after spoonful.
Aside from these new dishes, happy hour occurs everyday. Guests are able to try out more drinks as they offer buy one take one on selected cocktails.

RELATED LINKS:


IZAKAYA SENSU and CHOTTO MATTE
Ground Floor, NET PARK,
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Note: Valet Parking is available at the basement. Entrance after 5pm is at 80Php Flat Rate. Otherwise, it's 80Php for the first two hours then 50 Php per hour thereafter.




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Wednesday, August 17, 2016
IZAKAYA SENSU and CHOTTO MATTE in BGC: A Closer Look at Japanese Food

It was inevitable. Picking a Japanese Restaurant for lunch or dinner is no longer based on just the price point and dishes offered but also the authenticity, ambiance and if they have delicious alcohol to go with the food. At IZAKAYA SENSU and CHOTTO MATTE in BGC, they deliver on almost, if not everything.
Located just in front of BGC'S FORT STRIP, IZAKAYA SENSU serves authentic Japanese food. Trained in the traditional way, the chefs are skilled in producing different Japanese dishes.
To start things off, guests might want something light.

The staff will definitely suggest their signature POTATO SALAD. Egg lovers would also enjoy the HANJUKU TAMAGO. A level further would be the AONORI DASHIMAKI.
The potato salad is creamy and is topped off with a flaky, crispy smoked milk fish sheet. The eggs are beautifully cooked to produce a liquid center. The seaweed flavor would be prominent in their version of an omelette.

Getting a bit more serious, the sushi chefs know how to handle their patrons. They produce a lot of OMAKASE dishes that elevates the flavors of each seafood cut. Six different types of fresh seafood are hand rolled and properly served using masterful strokes. Here, the guests are able to sample amazing unique flavors.

A signature masterpiece, the SENSU ROLL is perfect for diners that would go for something different. This is basically a mix of two different rolls to make one huge dish. One has tempura asparagus, spicy tuna, green chili slice and unagi sauce. While the other has crabmeat mayonnaise, yuzu skin, cucumber with mangoes and flying fish roe on top. Simply divine.

One aspect that Izakaya Sensu perfected would be their grilling techniques.

They are able to produce SENSU KAWARI KUSI and a YAKITORI OMAKASE. Chicken breasts were grilled and each has a different flavor to present. The Yakitori platter used different ingredients such as quail eggs, corn, bacon and chicken skin to deliver the perfect beer match.
Fish lovers would enjoy the SAWARA SAIKOYU YAKI or mackarel. The fish was drenched in miso  to make the flavors come alive.
Another seafood dish would be the HIRAME SUGATA-AGE. Fish cutlets were masterfully cooked and deep fried to create a boat like fish figure. This goes well with the sauce provided.
Lunch goers would be pleasantly surprised as IZAKAYA SENSU now offers bento meals to cater to  discerning taste buds. Being able to have a variety of dishes for lunch would make any guest jump for joy. Aside from your chosen main dish, an assortment of side dishes are served. This includes rice, miso soup and dessert.
Make room for dessert. You will definitely want to try out their selection.
Aside from their MATCHA CHIFFON CAKE and COFFEE JELLY TIRAMISU, the best sellers would be the MATCHA BELGIAN WHITE CHOCOLATE and the MISO CHOCOLATE CAKE. Personally, I was blown away with the flavors and texture that the MISO CHOCOLATE CAKE gave out. It was not too sweet but had the right push to deliver an amazing experience.

To compliment all the dishes, head on over to CHOTTO MATTE. Meaning "To wait a minute", CHOTTO MATTE is the Japanese Bar that connects to IZAKAYA SENSU.
Just like the group's other restaurants, CHOTTO MATTE works well together with IZAKAYA SENSU. Here, you get to experience a Japanese pub that offers authentic highballs. Other than that, get their flavored sake. It is to die for.

They have it all here at IZAKAYA SENSU and CHOTTO MATTE. Delicious Japanese dishes and straightforward alcohol. That is what the Rain Tree Group does. Making two concepts gel together to produce a wonderful and delightful gastronomic experience.

RELATED LINK:

Izakakaya Sensu and CHOTTO MATTE in BGC

IZAKAYA SENSU
CHOTTO MATTE
Ground Floor, NET PARK,
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City, Metro Manila
Located infront of BGC Fort Strip.

Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience. was invited to this restaurant.
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Monday, July 11, 2016
IZAKAYA SENSU and CHOTTO MATTE: Opening tomorrow in BGC


The perfect drinking place. That is what an Izakaya is. A neighborhood bar that is the go to place after work. Delicious Japanese food served alongside beer and sake. This Tuesday, July 12, 2016, the Raintree Group, in collaboration with PIGLET from Tokyo, Japan, is opening CHOTTO MATTE and IZAKAYA SENSU to the dining public.
Strategically located in NET PARK, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, this concept was brought in to meet guests longing for a place to indulge and relax after work. Furthermore, no need to worry about where you would stay as you could basically cross order from both restaurants. To put it plainly, CHOTTO MATTE, which means "wait a moment", is the bar area while IZAKAYA SENSU is the dining place. The two concepts intertwine and compliment each other.
 
The press preview, held just recently, showed the prowess and the depth that both establishments have. CHOTTO MATTE, being the genius that it is, has a plethora of choice drinks that would make any alcohol lover jump for joy. Starting out strong, HIGHBALLS were served right there and then. Complementing these drinks would be different high grade sakes. For something on the sweet side, FLAVORED SAKES would be your top choice. Crowd favorites would include tangerine and plum. For first timers, the orange sake is a safe choice.

To accompany the drinks, Japanese Bar Chow was served. One could start with the grilled edamame. You could say that this is the Japanese version of club peanuts. You crack the shell open and eat the green legumes inside.

A wonderful treat was the SICHIMI AGE. This lightly fried chicken hearts and gizzards were marinated with Japanese 7 Spice. Not really a fan of such but one bite in and I was impressed. The texture and the flavor surprised me and caught myself getting more than I should have. I couldn't stop. This is definitely a must try dish.

Aside from the heart and the gizzard, another dish to order would be the SOBA. Their version has the right bite and texture. With the addition of tomatoes, one would say that this is a refreshing noodle dish. Each slurp left me wanting for more.

Something familiar would be the SENSU KARA-AGE. This sesame crusted fried chicken has a crunchy outside and a moist and tender inside. Lovely.

One thing that separates great Japanese restaurants from mediocrity would be the freshness of their dishes. A Special OMAKASE (chef's choices) would be the ideal seafood platter that demonstrates this. 11 different kinds of sashimi are placed elegantly on the plate to entice the guests.

Adventurous foodies would enjoy the UNI IKA "RUIBE". Sea urchin "ice candy" frozen and wrapped in squid. The Squid had a bite but it wasn't rubbery. The uni perfectly melts and weirdly enough goes well with the squid. 

A play on flavors, chefs are sometimes given freehand to create something off the beaten path. It pushes their creativity to the limits. I enjoyed the seared tuna marinated with different Japanese seasoning.

Here, an assortment of edamame, avocados, roe, and uni were wrapped up to give a lighter touch.

 Definitely one of their specialty, the SENSU ROLL would make anyone swirl with delight. A combination of two rolls in one, you get more flavor profile than a typical roll. One is made with tempura asparagus, spicy tuna, green chili slice and unagi sauce. The other one has crabmeat mayonnaise, yuzu skin, cucumber with mangoes and flying fish roe on top.
An IZAKAYA would not be complete without grilled sticks. Assorted yakitori goes well with any drinks they serve.
If there are only 2 variants to try, it must be the chicken skin and the enoki mushrooms wrapped in bacon. The chicken skin has crunchy exteriors with a slight salty taste. The mushrooms, on the other hand, provided a little bite giving way to a play in mouth feel.

Something different would be the SENSU TAMAGO. Simply put, these are sweetened eggs. Created like a souffle, the sweetness of the egg was brought out. The texture is almost like a Japanese Cheesecake. This gave the diners a perfect way to end the meal.
One could never go wrong with fresh ingredients and quality workmanship. At CHOTTO MATTE and IZAKAYA SENSU, there are no wrong decisions. The ambiance of the place alongside the food and drinks would make it the ideal go to restaurant for a night of unwinding.

CHOTTO MATTE
IZAKAYA SENSU
Ground Floor, NET PARK,
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City, Metro Manila





Disclaimer: was invited to the preview. wrote this based on my experience. Go for the Gizzards and the Soba, you won't regret it.
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