—Backdated Post (04.06.08)— JuleenW
It all began when RuehYinn started to get so addicted with blogging. Not only that, he was hunger for guidance and advice on how to start a good blog. There’s no one to turn to, other than to his old friend, Ms. Cheryl Leong. Apparently, Cheryl has been blogging for the past 3 years or more, so I guess she can give RuehYinn a good advice on how to start !
To cut the story short, they decided to meet up after such a long time not meeting each other ( I don’t know how long, but it was long!!!). And being RuehYinn’s girlfriend, I was invited to tag along. Oh, other than to meet each other, RuehYinn intended to introduce me to Cheryl. We never met before.
We decided to meet at Sushi Zanmai at The Gardens @ Midvalley. Cheryl suggested that it is a good Japanese restaurant to go. RuehYinn and I have not been to this restaurant before but I have seen it somewhere. I remember I saw it somewhere. It took me a while to recall… All of the sudden, I recalled I saw it at 1 Utama when I was having an outing with my friends. That outlet was still under renovation a month ago. Look at the picture below, taken few months ago:-
We were amazed with the big sushi poster that we decided to take this photo. Look at the huge sushi… hahaha, imagine having that for dinner. Yum…!! I guess God must has heard my heart desire. I was thrilled and excited when RuehYinn told me we’re going to Sushi Zanmai at the Gardens.
The day came. When we walk into the restaurant gave us the feeling that it is a posh Japanese restaurant until we saw the food conveyor in the restaurant. It is exactly the same like what you get in Genki Sushi, Sushi King and etc. I was thinking in my heart, it can’t be that posh when there is a tray conveyor in the restaurant. We were ushered by a friendly waitress to different corner which is slightly apart from the food conveyor. It was confirmed when I look into the menu. The pricing of the food is equivalent or cheaper to what you get in Genki Sushi and Sushi King. Anyway, this is Cheryl Leong:-
It took us some time to decide what we want. Trust me, the menu is so big and extensive that you do not know what to order. We were spoiled with too many choices. However, after some discussion with Cheryl, whom have been here before, we ordered:-
1. Tenzaro Chasoba, small (by Cheryl) - RM10.80. Cold Chasoba noodle with tempura…
2. Kakiage Don, small (by Juleen) - RM8.80. Fried shrimp with rice…
3. Unadon, small (by RuehYinn) - RM15.80. Eel with rice…
Apparently, RuehYinn thinks the sauce for the rice is too little. If given more, the rice will be tastier. But he finished it anyway..hahaha..see how clean is the bowl:-
4. Sashimi salad - RM12.80. Raw fish and vegetable…
5. Inari Kani Ebikko (2 pcs) - RM7.60, Inari Ebikko - RM3.80 and Black Caviar - RM3.80. From L: Crabmeat and shrimp roe, shrimp roe and black caviar…
6. Caterpillar Roll - RM12.80. Roasted eel and omelette sushi roll topped with avocado. Sorry, we are too hungry, can’t wait for the photopgrapher. Look at the macro picture below… it will make you drool !
Overall, we enjoyed all the food. I am in the opinion that, Sushi Zanmai’s food are above average. Of course I have tasted better Japanese food but Sushi Zanmai is not in the same league as them. Looking at the pricing, I think it is only fair to compare Sushi Zanmai with other Japanese food chain like Sushi King and Genki Sushi. However, Sushi Zanmai provide more varieties.
Most of our orders are small but you can order big if your appetite is big. Don’t worry, the price for big portion is pretty reasonable too… The green tea comes in cold or hot and they are bottomless. Drink as much as your stomach can afford… haha!
No complains other than the not so suitable background music. No idea why they would play a fast beat song when we’re in a rather fine Japanese restaurant. What more it was at the same day when the government announced increase in oil price. Hehehe…
Ohhh…if you don’t intend to use the wet towel, just leave it there. Apparently each wet towel used cost RM0.20.
Our verdict is that if you would love to eat affordable Japanese food with uncompromised standard in almost high class atmosphere you can give it a try at Sushi Zanmai. The address is as follow:-
Sushi Zanmai
The Gardens, Mid Valley City,
T-217 3rd Floor, Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 2282 1160 Fax: 2282 3160
And not to forget to thank RuehYinn for his effort to take all the pictures…
