First Bite: UMU Japanese Restaurant, Dusit Thani

I hardly visit Makati on a weeknight as I try my best to avoid wrinkles caused by stress and road rage. But this whole I-will-not-go-to-Makati is often forgotten when the words "free food" is in the picture. Oh gluttony, no wonder you’re part of the seven capital sins. Anyway, R invited me to join him, his parents and some of their company’s VPs for dinner at Dusit Thani. And since we’re talking about good food, I quickly said yes.

Hello, UMA!

UMA is Dusit Thani’s Japanese restaurant tucked inside the ground floor of the fancy looking hotel. We were welcomed by wait staff donned in kimonos and they quickly ushered us inside the huge restaurant. 

It is well decorated and every corner looks very Japanese. 

We spotted private dining rooms with Japanese sliding doors, a Japanese stone garden and lovely orchids on our way to our teppan table.

The teppan area is a bit cramped so make sure that you have done your business before sitting down. 

First served was our fish appetizer on some salty clear sauce. It didn’t really leave much impression except that the fish was rather chewy because of its skin.

The ginormous California Maki was served next and it made me wonder if I was just hungry but it was pretty good. The Japanese rice was delectable and wasn’t the type that would make you think if you were munching on rice or paste. 

The mango, kani and other ingredients also delighted my tastebuds. 

Restaurant Discovery: Tosca

A few Fridays ago, I felt like I was transported to another place at a blink of an eye (fine, with the help of a motorized vehicle). Anyway, it was like entering a huge Thai spa with walls ornamented with gold…paint. I thought it was just me till R told me the same thing. Don’t judge me but it was my first time to enter Dusit Thani and I wasn’t expecting the place to look like it.

Hello, Dusit Thani!

The place was pretty different from the hotels I’ve been to. It has a very strong Asian feel to it. We actually went there for an event at Tosca (one of the restaurants inside the hotel) but since I fell in love with the food they served, I just have to share it!

 

First served was the tuna crudo with grilled artichoke in lemon infused olive oil. It was quite like sashimi only it was tangy with the help of the lemon. The artichoke added a bit more texture to the dish as well. It was a nice light dish to start lunch. (It made me crave for salmon sashimi.)