I like Nasu Dengaku

I know I have said this before, but it is true.

One of my favourite things to eat is miso eggplant, nasu dengaku. I have had it at every Japanese place I can possibly have it, and no two places make it the same.

Almost every place. I have yet to have it at Oyama.

Sunnydoll currently has my favourite though. Most of the ones I have had were a bit milder in the miso department.

Today’s eating adventure had the closest to Sunnydoll for umami  flavours.

Today, after trekking around the city aimlessly for half an hour, I went to Sake, imagine there is a thing over the e. Sake, keep imagining, is a modern Japanese restaurant on Eagle Street. The food was really good, the staff were great but the atmosphere was, actually the atmosphere was what I expect from that sort restaurant.

It’s pretty expensive and presents itself that way. The food is small in portion, but very tasty. The nasu dengaku was not as good as Sunnydoll, for my liking, but it was good. It was also done very differently to what I am used to.

Normally nasu dengaku, or at least most of the ones I have had, is half an eggplant grilled, then coasted with miso (I hesitate to say miso sauce but I suspect it is) and grilled again. Sunnydoll’s is very strong in the miso flavour, which I love, and comes apart beautifully (most of the time, luckily I have a big mouth for the rest).  At Sake (imagine dammit), the eggplant was thin pieces of a narrow eggplant, each topped with a miso and something topping, that made the miso a little mild, but still pleasant. The presentation was really good though.

I also got sashimi, as I am prone to do, and this too was good, but for really good sashimi go to Oyama. As far as the sashimi itself goes, they were on par. Oyama is very inviting though, and one of the things that make Oyama a great place are the staff. Sake staff are very professional, beautifully so. Oyama staff are, however, capable of making you feel like your first time is the beginning of a beautiful friendship between you and the restaurant. They are far more relaxed, while at the same time being incredibly good at their jobs. This made the difference. At Sake, you got the food it was good and they knew it was good. At Oyama, they know they are good, they are brilliant at making food, but they also excel at making you feel like you have input in the process. Both of these places are an experience, I just prefer the Oyama experience.

The last dish I had, I have never had before. It was tooth fish. This was expensive, but well worth it. The fish itself is very delicate, I didn’t realise I hadn’t had fish that delicate before today. Each mouthful felt like it was just a subtle fish flavour melting through your mouth. At first I was taken aback, because all you get on the plate is the piece of fish and a tiny bit of garnish. I trusted the chef knew what they were doing, and I was not disappointed. Each mouthful was melt in your mouth great. Also, a word of advice for anyone else willing to pay for this (or who can get one with paying for it) look at the fish, notice the curve and run your chopstick/fork gently across it. A loose bit will start to come away, start there. Don’t fight with it like I did at first.

OK, off to make dinner now. Eat well.