DINING | Senju at Edsa Shangri-la: One of Manila's better Japanese restaurants

The entrance to Senju.

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to try Senju at Edsa Shangri-la. As a restaurant housed under a five-star hotel like Shang, it's unsurprisingly expensive, which all the more heightens my expectations. Here's how it fared.

Interiors and ambiance
Even before you step in, there's no doubting that this is a Japanese restaurant - clean lines, ambient lighting, and lots of wood and bamboo. A short, polished, black, concrete pathway leads guests into the restaurant. It's lined with polished dark pebbles and sake barrels for added feels.

The restaurant offers several seating options. There are the usual square and rectangular dining tables, a sushi bar, gazebo-style seating, and private dining options for small groups. I requested for a quieter spot and they sat us in one of their gazebos, which I think are perfect for date nights. After the private dining rooms, this is your next best bet if you want some semblance of privacy.

Irasshaimase!

Warm interiors enhanced by the right lighting.

The interiors are unmistakably Japanese.

You can probably say that the gazebos are Senju's "semi-private" dining areas. I mean, it affords you a little privacy, right?

Service
There was no one stationed at the entrance when we arrived, so after a minute or two we decided to just walk in. The receptionist was inside, probably attending to something else. But no big deal, as we were warmly led to our table when she saw us come in.

I like that our waiter was very attentive without being intrusive. Serving time was also pretty good. And props to the staff for that complimentary extra dessert because it was a special occasion and you took note of it.

The food
It's always a challenge when you're a first-timer who's totally unfamiliar with the menu. And because Senju's menu was too much to peruse, we played it safe and went with one of their set menus, Fuji Gozen (Php 2,300++).

It consists of senzai (an assortment of appetizers), sashimi, tempura, scallops teppanyaki (although on the menu it says lobster teppanyaki), beef teppan, rice, miso soup, and dessert. Drinks are not included.

Our beautifully presented appetizer set.

Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

The senzai was probably my favorite part of our meal. I don't know what it's called (didn't bother to ask either) but that warm, savory, soy-based concoction in the bowl was just awesome and full of flavor. The accompanying sushi duo was also nice, plus I always love fluffy scrambled eggs - even if it's just a slice. And of course, edamame.

Next we were each greeted by four thick slices of sashimi. The tuna was good but it was the salmon that blew me away with its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It was pure bliss. Also noteworthy was the tempura. The size of the shrimps may not be impressive but they weren't rubbery, and the batter was quite good and not too starchy.

My tummy was already feeling the weight of what I've ingested so far by the time our shokuji, or mains, were served. The beef and scallops were both tender enough but lacked flavor somehow. No, the dish wasn't bad at all but after that impressive introduction, this was a bit of a letdown. I suddenly remembered how floored I was with Nobu Restaurant Manila by comparison. But may I add how good their flavored iced tea was?

After the supposed build-up, our main course was rather underwhelming.

I still managed to gobble them all up, however. Like I said, it's not bad.

A variation on mochi.

Dessert came in a very straightforward presentation. It's basically mochi but not quite a full-on mochi since the ice cream isn't entirely wrapped in glutinous rice paste. I liked it, even if it was a little difficult to work with with just a teaspoon.

They also gave us a little surprise in the form of a rectangular chocolate slice covered in a mint-flavored hard shell. I loved how the cake was moist and not too sweet, complemented perfectly by the mint. Lovely end to a long and lovely meal!

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In hindsight
Senju arguably isn't the best Japanese restaurant in town but it certainly is in the upper echelon. It may not be as great as Nobu, for instance, but it's not as expensive either. All in all it was a nice dining experience for me with its cozy, oriental ambiance, snappy service, and overall great-tasting food. Yes, I wasn't completely wowed throughout but I had a nice and filling meal, with which I was happy. I understand that its price point may be a detriment for most of us ordinary folk but I find that it's worth the occasional splurge.

For more information, or if you want to check their menu out, or maybe book a table, head over to:
shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila/dining/restaurants/senju/