Date # 3.1: John and Yoko: Cosmopolitan Japanese

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  (Forgive the Caution: Wet Floor sign. It wasn’t our fault.)

  Many would remember the John and Yoko tandem from the 50s’ most controversial couple: John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Although not explicitly said but greatly implied, this hip and modern restaurant makes use of the same East meets West concept. 

  Cosmopolitan means being universal. The restaurant’s concept is to universalize Japanese cuisine and make it apt to different sorts of taste buds. You can see from its wide array of dishes (which even include pizza and pasta) that it aims to cater to anyone who has a preference for any other cuisine. So if you’re craving for authentic Japanese food, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re looking for something new, come inside. The food served here is rather unique, so it would be hard to find another fusion cuisine with the same kind of execution. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews about this place, but from what I know, you just have to order the right stuff because some aren’t worth their price, but some are. The servers were very friendly though, (our waitress even knew where to get medicine because I was suffering from bad case of girly pains) so if you’re confused with anything on the menu, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.

   The tables here are rather spacious, perfect for groups of 6 or more, but they only have a few tables for couples. Not a very date-friendly ambiance if you ask me. 

Rock and Roll (P218) 

  This is basically a Tempura Maki which is coated with Tempura batter and sesame seeds and then topped with a hint of Japanese mayonnaise and sauce. I enjoyed it very much, and the shrimp tails at the ends were a nice touch. 

New York Fried Maki - P278 - Unagi (eel), Mango and Cucumber

  This… tasted really weird (you should have seen Douglas’ hmm face when he tasted it—it was priceless).The mangoes overpowered the unagi (which was a very small piece, by the way), and it created a very strange taste for me. It sort of tasted like eggplant for some reason. I wouldn’t recommend this, especially for its price.

A Pair of Chawan Mushi P128

  I loved this! It’s your typical Chawan mushi with a seafood twist. What’s even more lovely was that it is served in pairs—perfect for couples! Both chawan mushis come with a whole shrimp, but you can still scoop up pieces of shrimp and kani inside. Reaching the bottom (where the glass slims down) was a challenge though, but it was worth it.

Ika Linguini P228

This is linguini with mixed white and red sauce, topped with slices of fried squid and nori strips. I liked this dish mainly because the sauces were blended well, and the pasta wasn’t overcooked. It’s a Japanese take on a traditional Italian dish. As you can see in the picture, they were quite generous with the squid. I would say this is very much worth its price. You might want to share this with your partner because it’s kind of heavy.

Japanese Carbonara - P299

   I love red sauce more than white sauce, but I’ve been craving for Carbonara for the longest time now so I ordered this. The sauce was a fusion reaction happening in your mouth—there was nothing like it. It was because the Carbonara’s sauce was not only your typical cream and cheese, but it was infused with Japanese sauce. It was the perfect East meets West meal. I can’t say the same praising for the two soggy pieces of tempura though, but it was a good try. The Carbonara itself also had bits of ham, to complement the Eastern flavors.

The Verdict: I would say John and Yoko would be good for a couple’s casual meal right after a movie. If you plan to eat here, don’t make it the highlight of your date, but make it compliment something else. It’s a very good restaurant, though. It’s unique and modern, try it if you’re tired of the traditional Japanese meals.

John and Yoko,

2nd Floor Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St.,

Legaspi Village Makati, Metro Manila

Telephone: +632 729-8698

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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