My Virgin Omakase

Update : Mikado Japanese Restaurant@Damansara Uptown has closed down.

One Saturday evening, my partner and I visited the newly opened Mikado Japanese Restaurant at Damansara Uptown. Mikado is occupying the first floor of what was once Umai-ya.

We perused the menu, looking for bento, but there was none to be had. There were lots of other things on the menu. What to eat, what to eat?

I decided to take the easy way out by selecting the Omakase. It's meant for two persons and it looked like a pretty good deal. It has a little bit of everything, so we have a variety of food to enjoy. My partner agreed.

First to come to the table was the Salmon Sashimi.

I love Salmon Sashimi. I thought the serving portion was quite generous.

Look at the wasabi. So prettily presented. They must have run it through a piping bag.

After that, the rest of the components came in stages.

Variety. I like!

This was when I got into jakun mode. The Zensai (three variety starter), Mixed Tempura and Nigiri Sushi, I can handle. Those are served in individual portions and easily shared.

I don't understand the raw quail egg.

Now, how do you handle the Chasoba? As you can see, there are two portions of noodles but only one bowl of broth. And I believe the platter of condiments on the left (with a quail egg) is meant for the Chasoba. Right? 

Also there is only one Smoked Duck Chawan Mushi. What if I am dining with someone I can't share bacteria with? Apologies for my ignorance.

So me and my other half proceeded as best we could. He took his Chasoba first and when he was done, he passed his leftover broth to me. I am very sure this is not the way to do it.

Smoked Duck Chawan Mushi. One only.

Then I noticed the quail egg. He told me, eh crack it into the soup lah. Which I did without much thought. But the broth is cold and the egg is raw. Then I quickly transferred the egg to the chawan mushi which was by now lukewarm. 

Mine using second hand broth.

So I ate raw quail egg. My partner, who was not feeling well that evening let me have the chawan mushi all to myself. Luckily, I have a stomach of steel and did not suffer from any tummy troubles the next day.

Continuing on with our meal, the Tempura was light and crispy, like any good tempura should be. 

Then this nice Eda Chuka Wakame Salad. I thought the server made a mistake because I did not realize that it was part of our meal. It was delicious. I loved the sesame dressing.

This is the Chicken Teriyaki. It was alright, not outstanding. 

And then it was time for dessert. Green tea ice cream with some red bean. Though I am not a fan of green tea ice cream, I still managed to enjoy the refreshing taste.

So that was my first time at Mikado and my first time having an Omakase. 

Midway through our meal, we asked for the menu so that I could audit snap a pic of the Omakase and to make sure that our order was complete.

While at Mikado, I can't help being reminded of Umai-Ya (since it is occupying the same premises). At one time, Umai-Ya was my favorite Japanese restaurant.

My partner and I stopped visiting Umai-Ya some two years ago due to an incident where we waited for more than an hour for an order. We eventually cancelled that item. My partner was so annoyed that he vowed never to come back. That is the way that he is.

Well, with Umai-Ya gone, I am wishing Mikado all the best and I will make my partner take me here again to try out the other items on the menu. Who knows, this might become my next favorite Japanese restaurant?