Osaka - To Eat 26June2018 (Izakaya Toyo)

Japan Osaka - To Stay
Japan Osaka - To Do
Japan Osaka - To Eat 

Osaka - To Eat

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26June2018
Izakaya Toyo
Closed Sun Mon Thur
Opens from 2.30/3.30pm to 8.30/9.30pm.
Check google for opening timing on your visit!
This local place was followed from watching Only in Japan Video series.

*Original video from Only In Japan channel. Click to subscribe to his channel!*

Located in the street alley, this vibrant and standing only Izakaya joint is best known for their charismatic showman’s use of a blow torch. The place is famously known for their blow torch broiled tuna cheeks as well as super fresh and very very reasonably priced salmon roe, uni and tuna.

 *The queue from arriving 30mins after opening*

*Newly added post Netflix. Visited on 03Dec2019*

 

Some of the staff can speak English so they are ever ready to help you out with the orders. There's an English menu but the seasonal specials are in Japanese. Be sure to ask about them!
Click here for Izakaya Toyo 3 居酒屋 とよ Chome-2-26 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 534-0024, Japan

*Its just a narrow Alley way for this local place.*

*He cooks the Tuna cheeks in batches so the flame thrower show may not be on all the time. You just got to hang around a little longer!* 
Ordered on:
03Dec2019
(Post Netflix Fame)

*the Sea Grass is really nice. Refreshing pops in the mouth with the Ponzu which seemingly goes with everything to bring out the flavors. Caviar of the sea? Really nice addition to the expanded menu. Nothing to shout about over the crab/scallop salad and grilled eel which is sadly reheated in the microwave. The winners are still their staples of Tuna, Uni and Ikura. The sea grass is worth the order.*

 Ordered on:
26June2018
(Pre Netflix featurette)
Flame broiled tuna cheeks
about ¥450

*I thought their signature was more for the show than anything else. The seared tuna was enjoyed with the fresh spring onions, herbs and paired with ponzu soy sauce. It could go a little more rare on the inside, but am guessing because its cooked in batches and rested, the residual heat cooks it all the way through. A novelty cook method and nice but the good stuff is with their shashimi.*
Ottoro ¥1400, half portion Uni ¥900 and Salmon Roe ¥450
*By far the cheapest and best cuts of Ottoro had. 5 incredibly fat and juicy pieces at ¥1400. Chutoro was just as good with distinct difference of quality between the two. For that pricing, perfectly chilled and reallllyyy generous thick cuts, this is by far the best and most value Ottoro and Chutoro had.
The Uni ¥900 and Salmon Roe ¥450 were half portioned and huge serves atop simple maki was fantastic. Each bite packing amazing flavor and sweetness. An incredibly satisfying meal served with affordable Asahi iced beer ¥600.*

 *A shot with the master. Sooo sooo good*
Total fed 1 at ¥4160 with taxes

Fantastic atmosphere and dining experience. The place is very relaxed with you grabbing your own drink from an ice chest and glasses to share with others. Best Ottoro/uni/ikura experience over other places like Kuromon market, Tsukiji market and even Edoko sushi. Highly recommended for an off the beaten track and highly valued dining location.
Place opened at 1530hrs on my visit. I arrived at 1600hrs with a queue already formed. Waited for about 20mins before getting a standing spot and joined by another Singaporean traveler on a in-between job holiday.

Probably the sweet spot time to go is an hour after opening to avoid the opening rush and to beat the dinner crowd.

Food 4/5
Value 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Service 3.5/5

A must try and will return for, I think damn value Shashimi, drinks and atmosphere. There are other dishes available but the place is most known for those ordered above.
Izakaya Toyo restaurant is located a stone throw away from Osaka Castle.

Click here for Izakaya Toyo 3 居酒屋 とよ Chome-2-26 Higashinodamachi, Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 534-0024, Japan

Osaka - To Do (26June2018 Osaka Castle)

Japan Osaka - To Stay
Japan Osaka - To Do
Japan Osaka - To Eat 

Osaka - To Do

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26June2018

Osaka Castle

Click here for ABBA location of Osaka Castle 1-1 Ōsakajō, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 540-0002, Japan

 

Osaka Castle, an icon of Osaka is located 5 bus stops away from Sheraton Hotel. Regular bus service 62 takes one to the southerly entrance of Osaka.

From there, one has the option of taking a leisurely stroll or a ¥200 (for adults) electric tram shuttle in.

The grounds itself are relatively large with a few gardens surrounding the main castle. 

There’s a more modern-ish building located beside the castle which the first level houses souvenir retail shopping and light trendy eats and desserts.

The upper two levels are more posh restaurants whose selling points is the dining view of Osaka Castle. Often street performers maybe seen outside in the open areas.

Entrance for the castle is at ¥600. Apart from the 8th story view from the top, the rest of the interior has been retrofitted with air conditioning and to be a museum of the castle's history. Nothing really interesting and a bit dull actually.

Osaka 21Nov2018
In Autumn!

 

Osaka Castle’s beauty is best enjoyed outside and around the palace grounds rather than inside itself. Its beauty is especially enjoyed during the seasonal changes.

 *Some TV Celebrities filming their TV series*

Click here for ABBA location of Osaka Castle 1-1 Ōsakajō, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 540-0002, Japan

Singapore - To Eat (22June2018 The Summer House)

Singapore - To Stay
Singapore - To Eat
Singapore - To Do

Singapore - To Eat
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The Summer House

*The smaller hall which leads to the larger alfresco dining with the view on the left*

 *Yeap. Ex U.S. president Ubama was here.*

The Summer House is located over at the growing Seletar Aerospace Hub.
You might also be interested in,
Wheeler's Estate (the more famous, pretty but very pricey)
Wildseed (New management, fun creative with great food in a quaint location)
Both of which are around the corner. Click for the full reviews.
Click here for ABBA location of The Summer House 3 Park Ln, Singapore 798387

Ordered On:
22June2018
Baked Smoked Camembert, Truffle, Endives SGD30

*Simple yet nicely executed. This is especially so with the endives which were lightly dressed with the addition of micro chives and edible flower for that extra layer of texture and beauty. The cheese and truffle goes without saying went beautifully with the bread. A plus for service as wait staff served up another stack of toasts on request to finish that beautiful wheel of cheese. Worth a try to replicate at home next time!*

Sea Bass, Assam, Crispy Eggplant, Okra, Cameron Highland Cherry Tomato SGD32

*This was probably the least favorite dish. Though a very beautiful and modern take of traditional Assam. The Assam sauce lacked its punch and I'd personally feel that the original Assam fish is the purer way to enjoy it in all of its glory. A creative interpretation that may not go down with traditionalist.*
US Prime Marinated Short Rib, Roasted Caultiflower and Tahini, Pickled Mushroom, Mustard Caviar SGD36

 *Apart from the pickled mushroom component, everything was perfect to a T. The roasted cauliflower puree was a fragrant, flavorful pedestal which on top sat tender short rib slices. The unique caviar mustard were an interesting texture and offered a refreshing burst of flavors that melded everything together. Excellent!*
Slow Cooked Iberico Fermin Pork Collar, Soubise,
Broad Beans, Sage Brown Butter SGD34
*A thing of beauty. The cook was a beautifully tender medium rare. Great fat distribution around the protein and the sauce was exquisite. The broad beans gave the textural component and freshness for the dish. The star dish for the night and a must order. 
Kurobuta Sausage Ragout, Tagliatelle Pasta,
Conchiglie, porcini, slow cooked egg SGD26

*As portion sizes were a tad on the light side, we ordered this additional main to top of the end of the meal. They were generous on the meat and the presentation like the previous dishes were beautiful. The slow cooked egg gave that added richness and sauce for the dish.*

Brandy Marinated Orange, Mandarin Ice Cream, Honeycomb, Bleu Pea Flower SGD14
 *Pretty but over priced. Probably because of the brandy marinated oranges which jacked up the pricing. Simple enough to replicate at home. The sweet bitterness of the oranges, the crunch of the sunflower seed and creaminess of the ice cream work well together for a colorful medley of flavors on your pallet. An enjoyable dessert to end of the meal*
Total 223.65SGD Fed 4

The Summer House was a delightful meal experience among the greenery in a retrofitted black and white house. The atmosphere was nice and the food, though serving a slither small, but the presentation emaculate and the taste to match, makes up for it.

Great location for first dates, semi casual dining and meetups with good friends. Worth a visit another time assuming menu changes with the season.

Food 4/5
Value 3.5/5
(Portion sizes are a little small and especially so for the dessert)
Ambience 4/5(Good enough for ex president Obama, good enough for me :D. Pleasant interior decor and really the building sells itself)
Service 4/5
(Extra toasted bread was given f.o.c on request. They were quick with water and beer order refills as well as clearing of used plates without being over bearing.)

Click here for ABBA location of The Summer House 3 Park Ln, Singapore 798387