This is by far the best Japanese restaurant we have visited - and that is no easy feat considering that we have been to Japan many times (and going soon in Sept/Oct) and have tried most Japanese restaurants here from the economical to the upmarket ones.

We have visited here at least once a month since they have opened and thus will not focus on any specific visit but will state the highlights here.

The chief chef is actually based here from my understanding and this is actually the first of the 3 Sun outlets. While I have visited all of them, this continues to be my favourite.

They have specials monthly based on the what's in season and they just had a tuna promotion and in the past have other promotions such as US beef and Kyuushu specials. What we like about the place is the top quality and fresh ingredients used, as well as the thoughtful preparation.

For those on a budget, go for their lunch sets and / or Kamameshi which is rice cooked in a hot tin pot. The rice maintains and accentuates the flavour of selected topping ranging from unagi to foie gras. This will set you back only less than $30 each during lunch and comes with Coffee/ tea and a dessert for the set.

For starters, the Foie Gras Lettuce is a great dish to select. The richness of the Foie Gras is well complemented by the toast and the fresh / juicy piece of lettuce.

The sashimi is a must. The fish are chilled and not frozen and this maintains both the freshness and the taste. Slices are generous and succulent which packs favour. Depending on the season, you will have different fishes included. I also enjoy their scallop sashimi for its sweetness. The Chef Mori sashimi used to include one whole lobster sashimi and is a steal. However they have since removed lobster from this dish to our great disappointment. Nevertheless, always try their sashimi and you won't be disappointed.

For the same reason that sashimi is a must, their sushi is also to die for. The same fresh ingredients go into their sushi and it is always an enjoyment. The rice is flavoured perfectly with vinegar, and moist, and does not crumble like at some places. It complements the fish well. For this, you can consider their Business set which does include a selection or the assorted platter which comes with 5 or 7 kinds of sushi.

I am surprised by the reviews which question its value. We have always been impressed by the quality of the ingredients as well as preparation which enhances the original ingredient rather than to smoother it with sauces etc. We have returned regularly monthly and will continue to do so.

But sadly they ain’t at all mine. :( The Heavenly Tuna belonged to an “influential member of the media” and his beautiful lunch partner at the next table. There was so much tuna on their table I swear every part of the fish was eaten! Arhh…so jealous! :(

Yeap. The Sun restaurants are having a Heavenly Tuna promotion ongoing till 14th July which features hon maguro (top-grade bluefin tuna) in sushi/ sashimi and a couple of cooked creations. How do they fare I don’t know but you could probably read about them in the papers soon I suppose. =)

And so I had to settle for a sad-looking Heavenly Saba and Tori Karaage Tofu Salad Set ($15.80). I wanted a nicely grilled saba but err…I’m not wild about chickens, so I changed the fowl to a salad.

The saba was not too bad, nicely grilled, crispy at the skin and the flesh was still juicy below. But somehow I have this sinking feeling it was fried instead of grilled, coz it came almost too quickly. Pre-grilled? Horrors.

Tofu salad came with diced kiwi and strawberries atop some cabbages. It was ok except for the side dressing which was not-here-not-there. I think it was trying very hard to be sesame dressing? But it wasn’t at all flavorsome I couldn’t detect the sesame fragrance or taste in it. Miso soup came tepid. If not for the nice nameko mushrooms within, I would have protested.

The set lunches are not at all great. Mostly comprising cooked items, they are ok if you not particular about quality. But for the price, there are many other Japanese restaurants which offer better value for money sets. I most certainly won’t be ordering sushi/ sashimi here at Sun, coz by just browsing through the menu I see that they are really over-priced if I were to compare them to upmarket restaurants like Nogawa, Sushi Yoshida etc. For the pricetag attached, I’d rather go Aoki where I can be assured of premium quality.

I only came here coz I wanted to make use of the 10% discount voucher I got in the email (valid for all the Sun outlets till 30th June). I probably won’t return (unless of coz if it’s a treat :) ), coz for the price I paid for just a set lunch, I can get much much better quality elsewhere.

Service was nonchalant and not welcoming. The Chefs were too jittery and conscious of media presence. Instead of concentrating on their fish behind the sushi counter and kitchen, they were peering at the couple (at the “next table”) from time to time. I wonder what special treatment the 2 received.

Chijmes was the atmospheric setting for our Valentine’s Day dinner.

Having undergone a stunning facelift as a national heritage site, Chijmes is now a trendy dining and leisure spot.

Having dined at its sister outlet – Sun with Moon Japanese Dining and Café, at Wheelock Place, I was pretty positive that the standard of the food served at Japanese Dining Sun @ Chijmes would pleased both our taste buds.

Without a doubt, we ordered Sashimi – Hamachi, or yellowtail, and Salmon Belly for the appetiser. I have to commend that it was one of the best sashimi I have ever tasted.

Not only was the chef generous in the thick slicing of the fish, each serving of sashimi was thoughtfully packed with ice at the bottom, to keep the fish chilled and fresh for consumption. The manager also recommended the Grilled Anchovies with Japanese Mayonnaise, which is pretty tasty when, go along with Hot Sake.

Speaking of which it was pretty interesting as the waitress brought out a basket of ceramic sake cups in different shapes and sizes, and ask us to pick one each.

For our starter, I opted for the Tuna Belly Sushi, or Otoro. Part of the Tuna’s lower belly which contains high fat content, Otoro is a highly prized fish in Japanese dining that is rich in taste and silky in texture.

And it is said the best time for consuming Otoro is during peak winter period (Nov – Feb), where the fish accumulates the most fats. For mains, we went with their signature Kamameshi (traditional steamed seasoned rice pot) of Beef and Foie Gras. They came served in traditional Japanese wooden pots.

Atop each pot stood an hourglass to indicate the end of one minute — the time required for the piping hot steam to permeate the rice casserole within. This method of cooking, apparantly dates back to the 19th century.

The beef slices was tender and marinated to taste, and the Foie Gras was sinfully excellent. Added to the fact that the rice is cooked just nicely as compared to my 1st experience at Sun with Moon, the Kamameshi was excellent this time round.

To round up the wonderful night, I went for piece of delightful Tofu Cheesecake that I have been carving for ever since I tried it, and she decided on the Kyodango & Warabi Mochi platter that comes with opaque yellow bean squares.

I am not a big fan of flour but I have to say that the mochi were delightfully smooth and soft, but however the sweetened thick soy sauce that goes over it is a bit of an acquired taste.

You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.

We love to eat here, mainly because the food is fresh, especially the sashimi.

I have been here like twice before. So for new year day's lunch, thought of taking my family to this place.

Have always been impressed with this place - very understated classy, interesting food.

Hubby ordered cod, I ordered the beef and foie gras set A and ordered the salmon teriyaki for my maid.

My set was huge, the rice was nicely flavoured with beef slices and foie gras, and came with a 1-minute hourglass. You hv to allow the beef to be cooked within one minute, then mix the whole bucket to enjoy the different taste - lovely! the set came with a small bowl of udon, pickles, salmon and scallop sashimi, fruits and coffee/tea. it costs $28.50. quite reasonable and very filling!

The salmon teriyaki came with fried rice which was very delicious! Came with salad, fruits and coffee/tea too. Costs $16.50. quite reasonable.

Can't remember what came with the cod though!

Rather expensive place, but the service and the food made up for it.
They seat us in a private space so it's really nice, with soft cushions and comfortable seating!