After standing strong for 3 years, our beloved Japanese restaurant Kofuku might have relocated, but atleast we’ve got a newbie to replace it. Tatami – a Japanese kitchen and sake bar is now up and running under a younger management (read: mid 20s) who are trying to bring in a bit of the country’s culture to the project. We dropped by last night for a few sake bombs and a few too many sushi rolls!
AMBIENCE
You can sense the younger influences in this space from the minute you enter with the picture of a fat (yet cute) sumo wrestler beckoning you in. There isn’t much in terms of the layout that has been changed and you will still see elements that will remind you of Kofuku, but adding colour to the décor are manga paintings on the walls and curtains that hide the traditional low sitting area with kotatsu and tatami mats. The bar looks much more heavyduty than it was earlier and we expect this to become Mumbai’s first well-stocked standalone sake bar that will host special events like Sake Nights soon.
Most Oriental eateries play soothing Asian instrumental music making them seem a bit formal, but thankfully, Tatami is keeping it upbeat with chart topping house tunes that make dining here extra fun (and groovy).
FOOD + DRINKS
The menu has a few familiar names from its predecessor along with a lot of new additions. They’ve also managed to retain some of the old staff and chefs, so regulars might get a little déjà vu. The extensive offerings are a delight with sashimi, nigiri, sushi, donburi, appetisers, mains and hotpots.
We started off with a Sashimi Moriwasa (Rs 1,800) – a platter that comes with 15 thick cuts of 5 varieties of juicy, fresh fish. The non-vegetarian Nigiri Moriwasa (Rs 1,050) with 8 pieces was able as well, but if you are a chopstick ninja, we recommend opting for a Sushi Boat (starting from Rs 1,800) instead. We got ourselves a Tatami Platter (Rs 2,500) that was served in a wooden boat filled with 25 pieces of sushi (rolls and nigiri) along with a cocktails glass loaded with sashimi topped with ikura (salmon eggs). Plus, there was a soft shell crab roll and a salmon roll as bonus!
Keeping us company through the meal was a warm cup of Sake (starting at Rs 350) and the bar plans on having the longest sake list in the city very soon. The extensive alcohol list offers most domestic and Japanese liquors as well including beer, whiskey, wine and more. We also sampled concoctions like Back to Basic (Rs 400) – a sake based cocktail with cucumber that had a refreshing nose and a strong aftertaste. We suggest you go easy on these if you are a first timer though.
Grinning like a well-fed Geisha by now, we opted for a Donburi. Our Katsudon (Rs 650) was a tonkatsu that came with pork cutlets, eggs and miso soup. The portion sizes are quite generous and this one can easily be enough for two. You might not spot Ramen on the menu, but if you make a special request to the chef, he puts out a hearty bowl in quick time.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: A Japanese eatery with a modern approach.
Meal For Two: Rs 2,000
Cuisine: European
Review Other Details: Tatami on What#39;s Hot
They are also on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tatamiindia
**The writer was invited by the restaurant to preview their menu. **
After standing strong for 3 years, our beloved Japanese restaurant Kofuku might have relocated, but atleast we’ve got a newbie to replace it. Tatami – a Japanese kitchen and sake bar is now up and running under a younger management (read: mid 20s) who are trying to bring in a bit of the country’s culture to the project. We dropped by last night for a few sake bombs and a few too many sushi rolls!
AMBIENCE
You can sense the younger influences in this space from the minute you enter with the picture of a fat (yet cute) sumo wrestler beckoning you in. There isn’t much in terms of the layout that has been changed and you will still see elements that will remind you of Kofuku, but adding colour to the décor are manga paintings on the walls and curtains that hide the traditional low sitting area with kotatsu and tatami mats. The bar looks much more heavyduty than it was earlier and we expect this to become Mumbai’s first well-stocked standalone sake bar that will host special events like Sake Nights soon.
Most Oriental eateries play soothing Asian instrumental music making them seem a bit formal, but thankfully, Tatami is keeping it upbeat with chart topping house tunes that make dining here extra fun (and groovy).
FOOD + DRINKS
The menu has a few familiar names from its predecessor along with a lot of new additions. They’ve also managed to retain some of the old staff and chefs, so regulars might get a little déjà vu. The extensive offerings are a delight with sashimi, nigiri, sushi, donburi, appetisers, mains and hotpots.
We started off with a Sashimi Moriwasa (Rs 1,800) – a platter that comes with 15 thick cuts of 5 varieties of juicy, fresh fish. The non-vegetarian Nigiri Moriwasa (Rs 1,050) with 8 pieces was able as well, but if you are a chopstick ninja, we recommend opting for a Sushi Boat (starting from Rs 1,800) instead. We got ourselves a Tatami Platter (Rs 2,500) that was served in a wooden boat filled with 25 pieces of sushi (rolls and nigiri) along with a cocktails glass loaded with sashimi topped with ikura (salmon eggs). Plus, there was a soft shell crab roll and a salmon roll as bonus!
Keeping us company through the meal was a warm cup of Sake (starting at Rs 350) and the bar plans on having the longest sake list in the city very soon. The extensive alcohol list offers most domestic and Japanese liquors as well including beer, whiskey, wine and more. We also sampled concoctions like Back to Basic (Rs 400) – a sake based cocktail with cucumber that had a refreshing nose and a strong aftertaste. We suggest you go easy on these if you are a first timer though.
Grinning like a well-fed Geisha by now, we opted for a Donburi. Our Katsudon (Rs 650) was a tonkatsu that came with pork cutlets, eggs and miso soup. The portion sizes are quite generous and this one can easily be enough for two. You might not spot Ramen on the menu, but if you make a special request to the chef, he puts out a hearty bowl in quick time.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: A Japanese eatery with a modern approach.
Meal For Two: Rs 2,000
Cuisine: European
Review Other Details: Tatami on What#39;s Hot
They are also on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tatamiindia
**The writer was invited by the restaurant to preview their menu. **