Last Friday, I was invited to attend the VIP Night and Grand Launch of Ichiba: Japanese Market in Newport Mall.

As the name Ichiba: Japanese Market ( Ichiba meaning Japanese Market) hints, it is inspired by the famous Japanese markets: Tsukiji, Kuromon, Kyushu and Hokkaido. 

Walking in, the decor and interiors will transport you to a fusion of traditional and modern Japan.  There's the Philippines' very first Asahi Bar at the end of the restaurant.


This is the main dining area. 

Ichiba boasts of its live aquarium display capable of sustaining up to 600kg of live seafood.  There's a long pond on the right most part where guests can enjoy their "Fishing and Eating Adventure".  Yes, you can buy a bait, rent your fishing rod and try to  catch a fish within the time limit of 30 minutes.  If you catch a fish, you can pay to eat it and have it cooked according to your preference.

Aside from Lobsters, they have Nylon Shell (250 php/kg). Elephant Shell (390 php/kg), White Shell (250 php/kg). Seabass (1,300 php/kg), Stone Fish (1,500/kg) and Alimasag (640 php/kg).  Like other palutuan, they also buy vegetables like Red or Green Bell Pepper, Red Onions, Lettuce, Parsley, Squash, Bok Choi, Carrots, Eggplant, Tomato, Red Cabbage and Ginger to complement your seafood.  There are also seasonal fresh fruits such as Banana and Mangoes.

Food Stations
Another unique concept of Ichiba is its food stations with a bar right in front of them so you can order and eat there.

Takoyaki Osaka Station

You can watch as the chefs cook your order and serve them to you hot and fresh.

♥ Takoyaki (105 php)

Here's a paper boat of Ichiba's chunky Takoyaki. 

Yakitori Station

They have a lot of charcoal grilled Yakitori Selections: Tori Kawa (chicken skin), Quail Egg, Tsukune (chicken pate), ♥ Chicken Liver, Sunagimo (chicken gizzard), Negima (chicken thigh and negi), Torimono (chicken thigh fillet), Squid, Tanuki (shitake with minced chicken), Pork Belly, Prawn, Gyukushi, ♥ Salmon (145 php) and Baby Octopus.

Beef

♥ Gyu Saikoro

Aside from their regular Yakitori selections, Ichiba also offers a wide range of high grade and premium beef, Wagyu and Angus beefs in various cuts such as A4 Japanese Wagyu Chuck Roll, A5 Japanese Wagyu Ribeye, US Angus Ribeye, Premium Local Beef Shortplate, Premium Local Beef Tenderloin, US Tenderloin and US Angus Tenderloin. 

♥ Gyu Saikoro

Fall in love with Ichiba's tasty and tender Gyu Saikoro.

Gyoza Station

♥ Gyoza (135 php)

Another simply delightful treat is Ichiba's Gyoza.

♥ Karaage (245 php)

The Karaage is fun to munch with its pleasurable crunchiness.

♥ Ebi Tempura (385 php)

As you can see, they use top quality batter and real tiger prawns with their Ebi Tempura.

VIP Treats

Tray of ♥ Hotate Sashimi (5 pcs scallops) (350 php), Shrimp, Grilled Squid (65 php), Crab, ♥ Gyu Saikoro and Pork Belly (85 php)

Grouper Sashimi (350 php/5 pcs), ♥ Uni Sashimi (235 php), ♥ Salmon Sashimi (290 php/5pcs), Prawn and ♥ Rock Lobster

Chef Watabe Happily Carrying the Otoro

The highlight of the event is the Hon-Maguro or Kuro (Black Maguro) or Northern Blue Fin Tuna cutting show.   Hon translates to genuine which hints that this is one of the top-grade among tuna variants (second to the Southern Tuna).  In fact, this giant Northern Blue Fin Tuna (usually from the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea) is worth 150,000 php and was flown in from Misaki Suisan Japan by CEO Bryan Tiu (best known to be the founder of the Teriyaki Boy chain of restaurants) just for the event.  He surely knows  how to treat his guests.  Aside from Tsukiji, Kanagawa's Misaki Market is well-known for Tuna trading (600-1,500 trades per day).  And like in Tsukiji, Tuna's are sold by bidding.  Even in Japan, there are only a few places where you can watch a tuna cutting show.  I'm very thrilled with the show because it's a first time for me.

♥ Otoro

Toro translates "to melt" and is the belly of the tuna.  There are 3 basic kinds of Toro (depending on the part of the tuna): Toro (lowest and leanest), Chu-Toro (chu translates to middle and is semi-fatty) and Otoro (fattiest, lightest in color and cut just under the skin).

Sashimi cutting is very complex.  I've encountered 2 kinds of Otoro: Shimifuru and Dandara.  Shimifuru is at the front right behind the head.  While, Dandara is towards the back.  Shimifuru is better because the fat is evenly distributed and it looks netted and marbled with veins.  On the Dandara, there are fat stripes.  And then, there's also Kama Toro which is from the collar part.  I wish I had Jiro's Sushi Handbook to know more...

♥ Otoro

Gosh!  See the Otoro's fatty veins?  This is another first time for me...  Otoro is rarely served outside of Japan because usually the tuna served here are the lowest and cheapest class of tuna: Yellowfin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna which only have the Akami or the lean red meat part.  I now understand why friends and family are crazy over Otoro and must have it whenever they go to Japan.  No need to chew as just a massage by your tongue is enough.

♥ Chopped Otoro

Not sure what this is called.  But, my oh my.... this Chopped Otoro is so fatty and oily that it quicky melts in your mouth just like butter. 

And before you leave, you can also check their mini grocery for Japanese snacks.  They also have cute seafood hats for pictorials.

So check out Ichiba: Japanese Market as there are so many choices whether it's from their food stations, regular menu or Japanese live seafood. 

Sorry sports fans, I know I will sound like a loser to you all.  But, I have to come clean and be honest that I don't really watch basketball games.  So, this visit to NBA Cafe is really food and family induced.


Perhaps, I've seen a few clips or a basketball game.  But, never had I had the interest or patience to finish watching an entire basketball game (all four quarters).  Believe it or not, I was never even enticed to watch UAAP back in college.  The closest thing to watching a basketball game for me is to watch anime basketball series like Slam Dunk, Buzzer Beater and Kuroko No Basket.
 
It's not that I don't like the game, I just don't like to be an idle spectator.  So when it comes to NBA, I don't watch the basketball game itself but playing the NBA Live video game with my siblings on our Sega Mega Drive, SNES and Playstations is something I really enjoyed during my childhood.  

Seeing the NBA memoriabilias like authographed basketballs...

and NBA posters reminded me of my childhood days when I played basketball as a leisure.  We actually have two half courts in our house which we haven't used for years!  I used to play the 3-2-1 shooting game and half-court basketball game with my little sisters and my big brother's classmates whenever they'd drop by.  Those were fun times!  The last time I played basketball was during my first year college when we were forced to take it as PE and I don't recall it to be as fun... 

There were also toys which includes my all-time favorite NBA player: Michael Jordan. =)  

As expected, the set up is similar to a sports bar.  This one is the biggest and grandest I've encounter yet.  It has a huge screen that I'm sure game watchers would love.

The wall of basketball jersey is a cool colorful display.


I'm really impressed with the interiors as even the benches is textured like a basketball.

Food

Soup

Ale, wisconsin cheddar, cauliflower soup (175 php)

The Ale, wisconsin cheddar, cauliflower soup is an interesting cream soup and it has bacon it is which is a plus.

Salad

♥ Roasted Mushrooms (300 php)

The Roasted Mushrooms along with the caramelized onions, arugula, mascarpone cheese, carrot in  truffle vinaigrette is superb!

Mains

Beer battered fish and chips (320 php)

The Beer battered fish and chips is served with hand-cut triple cooked kenebec fries, tartar sauce and coleslaw.  The family enjoyed this especially the fries. 
 

♥ Lemon brined roasted chicken (450 php)

The Lemon brined roasted chicken  laid on a bed of mashed potato embellished with succotash.  It comes with parsley gravy which is delicious!  
 

♥ Baby back pork ribs (1120 php/whole)

When you order the Baby back pork ribs, you can choose between sweet kansas bbq sauce or spicy texas bbq sauce to be rubbed.  We chose the former.   You will still get both as extra sauce.  Both are very flavorful.  I personally prefer the spicy texas bbq sauce. It is also served with corn, sauteed vegetables and dried sweet potato chips.  The ribs were very tender and moist... almost fall of the bone but not quite so.

Burgers

Cheese burger (385 php)

The Cheese burger is a good one with gruyere cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sliced dill pickles, and truffle aioli.  The truffle aioli made this more than the typical cheese burger for me.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
All my expectation of NBA Cafe was met.  NBA fanatics will love the interiors plus the big screen to watch the NBA games.  While, non-fanatics like me will still appreciate displays and good food.  We're really lucky to have the only NBA Cafe in the world.  As of my posting NBA City restaurant in Orlando has closed down.  The price being reasonable, I really can't find any reason to pass up the chance of experiencing dining here.