Sakura: The Unchanging Charm of the Cherry Blossom

Restaurants come and go.  That is the sad truth.  Those that do not churn out something unique in the menu are likely to disappear within months.  Those that do not learn to adapt, are equally risking their existence.  It is thus a wonder how some joints, albeit simple and unassuming, have managed to weather the years and maintain a loyal following.  

Sakura: the delcious cherry blossom

Just adjacent to the spanking new wing of the Glorietta mall, unfazed by the fresh and newfangled joints all around this brightly lit section, Sakura continues its long tradition of dishing out affordable and delicious gustatory pleasures.  As far as I can remember, back when Glorietta used to be known as Quad (I'm not that old, I assure you), Sakura and its twin, Ji-Pan (I believe they do not have the same owners), had occupied this busy section of the mall.  Its quirky tables and chairs rested amidst the busy flow of mall-goers, while the whiff of the good food brewing in the kitchen invited passers-by with the weakest self-control.  Its unique selections of Japanese goods were sought by many, at a time when Japanese groceries were relatively few.  Roughly two decades later, Sakura remains in the exact same place, with its die-hard fans still patronizing the quaint little spot.

And in fact, it was my first time to ever dine here.  For Sakura to have lasted this long, I was absolutely sure there was some sort of magic in their dishes.  The menu was unambiguous, offering well-known Japanese traditionals: sushi, sashimi, tempura and the like.  For this visit, we chose our favorites, just to experience why people never forget about this place.  Do mind the prices though, I tried best to remember the actual prices.  As a testament to Sakura's unpretentious reputation, the net barely had anything about its menu.

Crunchy Tuna Maki, P180-220 (+5% service charge)

Though visually unappealing, the Crunchy Tuna Maki was definitely filling and did not disappoint.  Almost a meal in itself, a bed of rice rolls filed with crabsticks was generously smothered with crunchy Japanese breadcrumbs and fresh and raw tuna strips, sprinkled with chili powder and chopped onion leeks.  Bursting with flavor, this was a sure winner with its contrasting texture and complementing taste.  

Chicken Teriyaki, P200-220 (+5% service charge)

For the main entrees, I got the familiar Chicken Teriyaki.  Perfectly grilled with just the right crispy skin and juicy and tender meat, this dish was well executed.  The teriyaki sauce exuded a masterful blend of sweet and salty.  Although I was biased to the more modern take of chicken teriyaki (crisp and fried), this more subdued version abided by the true taste of Japanese food tradition.

Ebi Tempura, 3 pcs, P185 (+5% service charge)

We did not forget the ubiquitous Ebi Tempura, of course.  The medium-sized shrimps were flawlessly fried to a crisp, with the batter thin enough to conceal the succulent meat within.  The price was reasonable for the size of the shrimps, as a 5-piece set was just a tad under 300 pesos.  A definite choice for those craving for a quick fix of deep-fried wonders.  My only complaint was that it was a bit oily, perhaps due to the thinner batter.  Nevertheless, the dish went well with a cup of gohan and the rest of our orders.

Really, there was nothing unique about the menu of Sakura.  You could have anything on it in a different Japanese restaurant, perhaps with more elaborate presentations and even larger serving sizes.  But the magic of Sakura, is in its simplicity.  True to the Japanese minimalist ways, it executes its dishes to a T.  The ingredients are fresh, the selections are cooked well and fast, and the taste is familiar.  Even if no dish we had tasted blew our minds, except perhaps for the rolls, Sakura delivered an authentic Japanese experience.  For those searching for genuine Japanese food for an affordable price yet do not mind dining amidst busy passers-by, go beyond the bright corners of Glorietta and settle on this side of the mall.  A restaurant with this longevity, despite having no advertisement or promotions, is certain not to disappoint.  And like its namesake, the cherry blossom, its beauty is in its unsophisticated and unwavering charm.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Grocery

Second Floor, Glorietta 4

Ayala Avenue, Makati City

(02)-728-2512

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Stay Away From the Overrated Worldly Chicken! Meister is Better.

I love food courts.  I grew up spending lunchtimes at this crowded part of the mall, enjoying looking at the brightly lit half-dried, half-warmed, half-exposed smorgasbord of colorful recipes that practically look the same.  The ubiquitous fastfood chain in the center, your friendly carinderia on the corner, and the box-office siomai stall all completing the cast of this wonderful place.  I would definitely trade a run-down overpriced dinner at a fancy restaurant for a comforting value meal amidst the smokey air of the food court.

Still, I gape at the long line of people piling up in front of an overrated food court chain known for its chicken and carbs combo.  I had tried this once before, got utterly disappointed, and vowed never to fall into such a travesty once again.  Compounding my bitterness was the fact that a better, lesser known, choice was just a few paces away.

Inside the Glorietta Food Choices area, towards the end of the hall, there's a humble stall quietly serving some of the best-tasting and healthier combo meals this part of the mall.  Meister, a food court brand of the Almon Marina restaurant, is a known favorite of hungry office people and shoppers alike, who tire of the long lines of cold meal disappointments. Serving value meals worth under P160, you get a hefty serving of your daily RDA of carbs, and a healthier grilled serving of meat, whether it be chicken, pork, or a fat piece of sausage.

This is easily one of my favorite go-to places in the food court (the other being Magic Wok, oh lechon macau I long for thee).  We usually order a rice / pasta and pork combo for me, and a pasta / sausage value meal for the missus. 

 Pork Loin, Rice Pilaf, and Vegetable Sides Combo

P145

I couldn't resist the long slice of pork loin basking in oil, enhanced by the warm light and barbecue fragrance in the air.  Even if I wanted to choose the healthier grilled chicken, I always end up surrendering to this slice of sinful heaven.  That's the good thing about food courts, what you see is what you really get (literally).  The way here in Meister is that you get to choose your poison (meat), your added kick (the sauce for it), the carb filler (rice or pasta), and the guilt-reducer (veggie sides, coleslaw, or another round of carbs - potatoes or macaroni salad).  I got the veggie side to reduce my guilt, then splurged on the rice pilaf.  The pork itself was silky smooth, with just the right amount of fat bordering the soft meat.  Add the spicy barbecue sauce, and you'd think this was Rack's, with a cheaper price tag.  The vegetable siding paired well with my sinfulness, crisp and crunchy pieces of carrots, turnips, and cucumber.  You can't go wrong with the rice pilaf, and this isn't your run-of-the-mill artificially colored excuse for a java rice.  All this will set you back for under 200 bucks.

 Pasta Vongole, Baby Potatoes, and Italian Sausage

P140

A less sinful combination, but equally tasty.  The vongole sauce consists of clams refusing to be opened drenched in white, peppery, creamy sauce.  The fettucine was al dente (which was surprising for a food court), and the sauce was generously draped over.  The baby potatoes does not actually come with any sauce, but, being a frequenter of this place, we got to convince the server to drench ours in the chili and cheese sauce (which was great!).  The Italian sausage was nearly half-a-foot long, packed with a peppery punch, further enhanced by the spicy barbecue sauce again.  You can ask the server to separate the sauces if you don't want to eat with all the sauces mixing up and turning into an undecipherable goo.  All this for a good price of less than 200 bucks.

And people still line up on the other side for a cold, uninterested slice of small chicken and a sad serving of an excuse of a pasta.  And they pay for practically more.  Still, I would rather watch them waste away their time and money, while I sit quietly and enjoy my secret nook in my favorite part of the mall.  The food court.

Jones

Meister

Glorietta 4 Food Court

Makati City

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