Sun with Moon Restaurant Japanese Dining & Cafe at The Central (6534-7784)

April 11, 2007: I wanted to dine Japanese tonight and had Donguri in mind, but somehow was made to change my mind. I was taken to a new outlet of Sun with Moon, a new business venture of the Suntory Group. This new outlet just opened a few days ago-on April 8th, if I am not wrong.

This place is like a hip Tokyo-style outlet, but sprawling spaciously by the side of the Singapore River and is thus more relaxing. I ordered the mainstream fare: assorted sashimi (about SGD 32.50) and tempura (SGD 28?). The sashimi did not taste as good as it looks, maybe because I was comparing it to Sushi Yoshida on 10 Devonshire Road (Tel. 6735-5014), where I found fresh raw fish to be of No. 1 quality. The tempura at Sun with Moon turned out crispier and lighter than those I tried at Yoshida's, though. I was impressed with the succulent shiitake and the branch of golden mushroom which opened up like a Japanese fan.

I had Lindeman's Semillon, a very easy companion, to go with it. Most of the Japanese restaurants that I have been to do not carry good wine menus.

The signature dishes at Sun with Moon include kamameshi (averagely priced at SGD 25), traditional steamed seasoned rice pot which are subtle cousin to local claypot rice, and aburi - half-broiled sushi. I ordered the oyster and shiitake pot which turned out to be very good, partly because I was hankering for oysters. The warm house sake made it quite divine.

The most supreme seemed to be the desserts. In fact, the dessert menu is impressive. My tofu cheese cake (SGD 6.50) was a delightful call.

It's sour, smooth and creamy and contrasted with a very sweet crispy crust, lightened by its thinness.
There are certainly many other temptations worthwhile succumbing to the next time I come.

Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #01-70/71/72 The Central Singapore 059817