Date # 38: Sugi

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  My initial impression of Sugi in Greenhills wasn’t exactly good. We weren’t exactly given a very warm treatment upon entering because we arrived at around 2 o’clock pm, just when the restaurant was about to close. Maybe they shouldn’t have invited us in if they’re just going to emphasize that they were “about to close”. That’s why we ordered more of the basic, typical Japanese food fare because the waitress kept on pressuring us to finish ordering and get on with it. I think we could’ve been more adventurous with our orders if we weren’t pressured to hurry it up so much. 

  Well, at least my impression of it changed as we went along. Read on to find out why.

 The ambiance in Sugi is very peaceful, fit for intimate dates. 

 Tekka Maki (P200?) is actually my favorite kind of Maki because of its simplicity. The basic and yet exquisite taste of raw fish mixed with Japanese rice and nori just hits the spot. I was very happy with Sugi’s version of Tekka Maki since it had a relatively large cube of raw fish in each roll (Check the picture). Sugi’s wasabi was very powerful, too—it sent a strong, powerful kick with every bite. 

  Douglas is a salmon monster, as I’ve mentioned before, so he insisted we get a platter of fresh Sake Sashimi (P350). The cuts were big, succulent and luscious. (Camera fail made them look like orange slices=)) )

  However, since I like the union of Japanese rice with my raw fish, I insisted we also get a platter of Sake Sushi (P170). As you can see, the salmon cut in the sake sushi differs greatly from the sashimi one, this cut being the fattier one (observe the thin layers of fat—they’re not just design). I believe the added layers of fat contributed a silkier, more complex taste.

  This bowl of Miso Soup comes with an order of Tempura Donburi. It was served piping hot, and was also full-flavored.

  We ordered a Solo Portion of Tempura Donburi (P330) to share, since Douglas is on a diet (I still don’t see why). You can see the rich glaze of donburi sauce coating the tempura, which was positively sweet, but not overpowering. The Japanese rice was freshly cooked and tasty. This is their bestseller, and we understand why.

The Verdict: Despite the hazy first impression, I’m ready to come back for more interesting sushi and sashimi variants because the ones we’ve tasted delivered quite well. Maybe just take note of their service hours and you’ll be treated better.

Sugi, Greenhills Shopping Center

Crossroad Arcade, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills

San Juan, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 721-7111

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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