The blog often goes through phases of silence and I have a host of excuses to blame it on - work, home, family, laziness... I could just go on. And then I feel this wave of guilt for neglecting what I really love to do and get back into it, diving in head first. And so, after one of those breaks, I am back... again! and what better way to start than with a cuisine I love - Japanese!
When we first saw the board announcing Sakae on Double Road, we were all sorts of skeptical considering the location. But then curiosity got the better of us and we decided to give it a shot. Sakae, as my good friend Google tells me, means prosperity.
Sakae means Prosperity
The restaurant is attached to the UNO-Inn hotel. When we first went there some time last year, the restaurant had two sections to it - one with the traditional low seating that is often let out for parties. The other was a plastic chair and table affair in white and red. The second time, there was a lot of change and the main part of the restaurant is now split into three sections. An enclosed one right after the entrance for small groups, the red and white table and chair set up and then the low seating, not the kind where you have to cross your legs like in Harima, but the ones where you have a nice deep space to dangle your legs.
The
low seating in Sakae. You have to leave your footwear at the stand at
the entrance and settle down on these soft cushions. Soft slippers are
kept near the restrooms for those
who need to use them.
who need to use them.
On our second visit, Sakae seemed to be have upped their game as far as presentation goes. This up here is the serving of the Onigiri/sticky rice and miso soup when we ordered it recently. An interesting touch to have it wrapped in Nori sheets. The sliced veggies are pickled and the Miso soup as flavorful as it was the first time.
Another dish that we brought to the table was the Haikoro - Double Cooked Pork which is served on a salad of lettuce, peppers, scallions and finished with a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds. You may find the salad part of this dish overpowering, but it does lend some great texture and taste to the pork that is abundantly mixed into this.
The Prawn tempura served with daikon. Crispy and crunchy, these fresh jumbo
prawns are quite addictive.
prawns are quite addictive.
Sakae is no EDO if that is what you are wondering, but what it definitely is, is Japanese food at prices that won't make you wince. The food is generous in quantity and the experience of sitting down to a meal quite literal. The menu, part in picture and part in Japanese script is not user-friendly, despite the 2-3 word English descriptions, but with a sense of adventure and some help from the staff you will do just fine.
Sakae has a full fledged bar and so a tipple of your choice is by and large on the cards. A meal for two here is approximately Rs 3000, which of course is based on the meal you are ordering. They have a clean loo including those automated hands-free loo apparatus that I find most amusing.
Address: 90, KH Road, Double Road Shantinagar
Cuisine: Japanese
Price for 2: Rs 2000
Serves Alcohol: Yes
Cards Accepted: Yes
Parking: Limited parking outside and in a basement parking space
You can find it on the map here
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