Yesterday evening, I went here with a friend and my bf to try their IENS dinnerdeal special. The reception was friendly, though a bit aloof, but maybe that's the thing with these more expensive restaurants.
As we were seated, we ordered drinks and checked with them if our altered menu was still available. My love and I don't eat meat, so they thankfully could sub the steak for sea bass. Thankfully, they still remembered and served us a fish-only menu.
We had miso soup as a starter. Just to wet the appetite. It was ok, not much to say about it. It's miso! Next we had sashimi of tuna, salmon and a fish I forgot. It was quite good. Next course, sushi! We had sake nigiri, ebu tempura and kappa maki. The sushi was good, but the rice was a little on the dry side. Kappa maki (rolled cucumber) was nice, but not really the kind of sushi that makes my taste buds explode. The sake nigiri was good and tender, but not wow.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I am all up for simplicity. But then, it has to be done perfectly for a restaurant of their stature right?
The main course, for us the sea bass, for my friend the black agnus, was very tasty. It was grilled perfectly and tasted lovely. The veggies on the side where steamed. The rice that accompanied the dish, again, was a little dry. Not as steamy and full of flavor as I hoped it would be.
My love and I already discussed in the car that expensive restaurants have a tendency to fall short because the expectations are so high. Then again, if they charge really high prices, you would expect ultra-good food right?
Normally, this menu would have cost around 60 euro's. It was now for half. Honestly, in my opinion, it wasn't worth 60 euro's. The discount was fair enough.
It does make me wonder. Do they put less effort in a discount menu? But that wouldn't be smart right, because it would generate bad publicity? I've had sushi and sashimi in cheaper places that were soooo good! So what's the deal?
And both my love and I felt the same about the quality of the food (my friend loved it, but she doesn't eat sushi on a regular basis). She asked me what I would give this restaurant and the menu. It's honestly a 7. Which translates for me as three stars. Because no, I am not a fan. It was good, but definitely not divine. And I am saddened by it, because I really hoped it would send me through the roof. read more