PENANG IS DEFINITELY moving with the times. What with Hard Rock opening, and now new Japanese Aozora Fine Dining Restaurant in town, we are definitely getting more choice and people's taste buds more sophisticated!
Aozora in Belisa Row, Pulau Tikus, revamped from the old Jurin, is definitely a sign that Penangites are getting more sophisticated. "It's the latest thing in Japanese cuisine now," said the multi-talented James Neoh, who is one of the partners and also an artist in his own right. This shows in the way he's done up the place: its black and white decor is understated elegance. He also claims to have the largest selection of French labels in town. Prices range from RM80 to ... wait for it ... RM16000! And no, I haven't keyed in an extra nought by mistake.
The food is excellent, even a non-Japanese food connoisseur like myself can tell. But I know what I do like, and apparently so do the Japanese, because many of them are going there as they realise it is very authentic. Prices are commensurate with the ambiance, mind, but the sets are quite reasonable.
The sashimi of course is delicious, and the wasabi is of a frozen variety, much more subtle than the powdered reconstituted type. The Norwegian salmon is flown in fresh. However I loved one dish which is not yet on the menu: belly of pork. It's like eating butter, and very tasty.
If they keep up the standard, I think they're going to do well. There's certainly enough space: the upstairs has two private rooms. In the evening the place converts into a bar after the food stops - it stays open till 1am.
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