New Restaurant, Akane (Chikuyotei)(Tel: 6738-1990)

August 18, 2007: A new restaurant opened at The Japanese Association, Singapore, on August 10, 2007. It replaced the previous Akane Restaurant (thank goodness), including its name. This new restaurant is run by Chikuyotei, a reputable century- old eatery that began in the Edo period in Tokyo. Its signature dish has faithfully remained as the eel, but at Akane here, it's offering a wide variety with the highest level of authencity, reasonably priced. Its outlet in Takashimaya seems a little higher in price, probably due to the Takashimaya rent.

I was immersed in a peaceful ambience when I passed the narrow passageway into the restaurant. The dining area peeps at a tiny rock "garden"(rather a pebble garden) outside the large all-glass panels. It's on the fourth level of the Japan Association but oversees no streetscape except the tiny triangular patch of pebbles and plants.

As for the food, it's "thumbs up!". The tamago yaki is not poisoned with mirin and sugar like what you'll get outside for instance. 'A' gave full marks to its koaji boozushi and the set he ordered which came with soomen (soft fine angel's hair), al dente, and beautifully garnished. I rate it as excellent as well, but the only snag is: like any healthy Japanese restaurant, it only fills up 80 percent of your stomach. The bill was reasonable - in fact, cheaper than Kuriya, the Japanese food "factory".

Each of our set was SGD 20, which came with a tiny piece of well-chilled melon and papaya at the end.

I have to say Donguri's crown for service remains untoppled, but the experience at Akane was memorable: The Japanese usherette gave Akio the wrong bill to sign on and returned the wrong membership card. He'd to go back to retrieve his card which was almost given to someone else. It's a lesson for all though, but we'll certainly go back again because it serves real Japanese food!