Zaby
On a holiday, when I asked my wife what she wanted to eat for lunch, she said "Chinese". So, I searched for a restaurant on the "Tabelog" website and chose "Club China". It was my first visit to this restaurant, which had moved from Tsukisamu to Chuo Ward. The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of the SYOKUSAN 3.5 building next to Norbesa. As I entered, I was asked if I had a reservation, but I hadn't planned that far ahead. We were seated at a table for two near the entrance. There were three groups of customers in the restaurant, totaling eight people, including families, couples, and two elderly women. The interior of the restaurant gave off a high-quality hotel-like vibe, but the service seemed a bit lacking. We ordered the "Fair Lunch Course (Half @ 1,650 yen)" and the "Choice Lunch Set @ 1,430 yen". For the two choices, we selected the "Hirata Ranch Three-Element Pork Fillet with Black Vinegar Sauce and Honey" and the "Club China's Famous Shrimp in Chili Sauce". The food was served quite slowly, and I wished I could have ordered a beer, but due to the influence of COVID-19, that was not possible. It took 16 minutes for the first dish to arrive, along with my "set" on a tray. The soup was a smooth and delicious "Pumpkin Potage", and the salad included watercress, carrots, and steamed shrimp with an Italian dressing. The two choices we made, rice, dessert (almond jelly), and jasmine tea were also served. The pork fillet was tender and easy to eat, but the sauce had too much acidity and sweetness, throwing off the balance with the meat. The shrimp in chili sauce was served with three large prawns, but the sauce was too acidic for my liking. I also tried a few other dishes, and the "Mapo Tofu" was creamy and tasty, but quite spicy (my wife couldn't eat it). Dishes that didn't use vinegar seemed to have a better flavor. The almond jelly dessert was like a small pudding with fruit jelly on top, and it was quite enjoyable. Overall, the "Yakisoba with Ankake Sauce" seemed like a good choice as well.