dinner without...

The girlfriend was occupied the previous Friday night, as some of her friends dropped by from the Lion City for a visit (Malaysian Mega Sales leh), which indirectly or indirectly means dinner for me will be a lonely, one person affair. Moreover, through the whole day, the girlfriend was happily mentioning that they'll be having seafood for dinner. In conclusion, the girlfriend is evil. I was contemplating whether to seek for a dinner date by announcing to the online community that I was desperately seeking fortunately available for the taking as a dinner companion that night. Fearing that no one will layan or give a damn about me having to dine alone the response would be too overwhelming to decide who gets this rare opportunity to feast with me, I decided to instead privately message a few privileged peeps for a meal.

In the end, I managed to grab hold of Uni-Junior. Also from MMU, I only got to know about her existance when she was doing her internship in my ex-company. Uni-Junior initially decided to forgo a relatives "dai sau" upon hearing the magical "Jogoya" which in turn was disappointed big time as we found out that its buffet dinner starts way too early; therefore, in the end having to settle for something less lavish only to realize that the "dai sau" will only be on the following night. Talk about coincidences. When two person who are equally care-free and indecisive about food tries to decide where to eat, the result would be overflowing suggestions followed by headaches and in the end, to no avail. But, thanks to the wonders of technology, an answer was finally found (no thanks to her, all the credits to me!). Kiku-Zakura.

A view towards the entrance from our seat... lookie, there's a traditional rice container on top of the aquarium

A blending of modern material into traditional designs... wood & glass

The bookshelf and the entrance to a private dining room, "atas" one leh

Met up with Uni-Junior @ KL Sentral where she got me a packet of Famous Amos cookies, such a great person, what more could I ask for from a friend? We headed to Mid Valley(MV), which was a mistake as surprisingly and apparently, there was heavy traffic ahead, on a Friday night. Finally reach, way past my dinner time. Brother Rames did mention that he saw me in MV, and was standing a few individuals behind me @ the ATM, too shy to approach me. Piiiiraaah!. Then again, now I would know who to look for if something should happen to my balance... Anyway, for those who did not know, Kiku Zakura is located @ T-025, 3rd Floor of MV but other than this, the restaurant also has outlets in Jaya Supermarket PJ, Berjaya TImes Square and Avenue K156 in Jalan Ampang.

The Uni-Junior

Hot towel served (not edible) before and after your meal

The restaurant was heavily decorated with wood, and has private dining rooms with mini staircase leading to the door, must "atas" mah. The menu was so extensive that we spend approximately 30 minutes to the already very empty stomach deciding what to eat. After placing our orders, while waiting for the food to arrive, we notice a bookshelf on the corner containing various japanese magazines and comics (I saw Dragon Ball Z) for your reading pleasure. It did not take too long for the food to arrive and of course it was good (I would never allow my hunger take the better of my taste buds), definitely a great escape from the typical commercialized Japanese conveyer-belt based outlet chains... Uni-Junior seems to be enjoying the hot towel (provided before and after your meal) more than the food itself simply because it reminds her much of her stay in Japan. A hearty meal and dozens of cups of ocha (green tea :: they really should slow down on the refills) later, we left the restaurant contented. I should say that the price was quite reasonable...

The extensive menu, there's more once flipped over

Too beautiful to be simply called a cup

Chicken teppanyaki set, showcasing the whole set

Chicken teppanyaki set, showcasing the the main dish

Some very-hard-to-remember-the-name udon/soba set, which was nicer than my teppanyaki set *pouts*

The fried dumpling *gyoza if not mistaken* is orgasmic! The juice flows into your mouth when biting onto it, but not as syok as eating "siu lung baos"

Agedashi Tofu... leaving it to soak too long will cause the tofu to be cold and the outer layer's texture soggy, so must be finished quickly.

I shall be seeing myself back here pretty soon, not only because of the good food, the main reason behind the return would be the girlfriend pouting over me eating there without her (though you didn't show it, I know you are... I can feel it). Yet again, I am left speechless...