SETTING

Located at Isetan The Japan Store’s fourth floor, The Tokyo Restaurant is a chic, modern restaurant/bar that is great for small parties or a date with your partner. Dark wooden furnishings and warm lighting help to lull diners into a relaxed state that unfortunately gets broken from the noise of adjacent tables and the popularity of the restaurant. As the restaurant shares the same floor as other Japanese restaurants, the aesthetics blends into the common areas. The bar however, is small yet intimate with a lounge area good for a few cocktails.

FOOD

Start with a highly recommended glass of Kuro Kirishima shochu to accompany sushi tacos. The sweet potato shochu imparts an earthy note but is balanced off with the tart, refreshing and light sushi tacos. The appetiser resembles a great way to tease the palate with a modern take on sushi and comes with pickled ginger to refresh the palate.

For the main course, a recommended dish is the Hamburg steak with Japanese demi-glaze sauce. The meat is well cooked, soft, chewy and resembles a mince rather than a patty. It comes with a side of gratin penne that’s a different take on a mac and cheese, while broccoli, mushrooms and a sunny-side up egg add colours and flavour depth to the dish.

The restaurant’s famous 6th Avenue New York-style cheesecake is a must-order for dessert. It is deliciously creamy with just the right amount of sweetness, with the middle of the cake being creamier while the bottom layer is spongier and slightly charred, giving it a smoky taste that mixes well with the soft cheese.

DRINKS

As the restaurant comes with its own bar, complete with a well-known Japanese bartender, little surprise that the drinks menu features a diverse selection of wine, Japanese wine, cocktails and more. Diners can buy wine, shochu and sake by the glass, allowing for mixing and matching throughout the meal. Do ask the attentive waiters for advice on what drinks to pair with your dishes of choice.

SERVICE

Service is prompt; we were greeted immediately upon arrival and shown to the table with no delay after reservation was confirmed. The staff are attentive and seemed to be in a good mood. Water glasses are refilled without any prompting. Overall, a very satisfying experience.

PRICE

The bill came to RM130 (including tax) for one person. It’s a fair price, considering the restaurant is an upscale modern Japanese fusion establishment in one of the busiest locations in town. The restaurant does a very affordable set lunch that comes with soup, salad and beverage along with a main. Prepare to spend a little more if you intend to have more than one drink.