EN JAPANESE DINING BAR @ RIVER VALLEY

Location: 207 River Valley Road #01-57 UE Square
How to get there: Clarke Quay Mrt Station, transfer bus 54.
Opening hours:
Sun - Thurs: 1800-0200
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH: 1800-0300
Contact Number: 67352212

Hi everybody!!! May&FJ are back and this time round, we're doing a review on En Japanese Dining Bar. We often passed by this restaurant as we visited Chikuwa Tei and saw their HUGE sign promoting a 50% off selected Sushi and Sashimi from 1800-2000. This was the main reason that got us heading down today to try their food in the midst of the rainy evening . (Ain't we cheapos? hahaha!)

We ordered 2 Sashimi platters (1 specific, 1 assorted), a plate of Squid Ink Fried Rice, 2 Grilled Scallop skewers, a Soft Bone skewer, a California Maki and a Soft Shell crab Maki. (Sounds little ain't it? Wait till you see the platters! I was full by the end of the meal!) The bill totaled up to about $102 for 4 people! (We had 2 extra friends who joined us for dinner) I have included the menu where the selected Sushi and Sashimi are on the happy hour offer here. I have also included a picture of their HUGE poster so that you guys can check out their other promos at this outlet too!

Advantages:

• The Sashimi platters come in a form of 3,5 and 7 types of Sashimi, prices vary accordingly. You can choose to change the type of fish for the Sashimi platter as long as it is within the choice range from the platter you have chosen. For our case we chose a platter with 3 types of Sashimi only: Tuna, Salmon and Yellow Tail. But as May and I do not really enjoy Raw Tuna, we decided to change it to Raw Scallops but was told that we had to pay an extra of $2, so we've decided against that and change it to Raw Salmon instead without the extra costs.
• The Sashimi's good! Fresh! Q! Love it! (Especially the Salmon!!)
• The Soft Shell Crab Maki is really yummy! You should give it a go!
• The California Maki is worth the money spent as you get 6 HUGE pieces!
• The Squid Ink Fried Rice's portion is real enormous~
• We highly recommend the Grilled Scallop! It's hotel buffet standard! (You know those awesome ones you eat at wedding dinners?! Yea, this is it!)

(The 3 type of Sashimi Platter) 

(The Assorted Platter)

Disadvantages:

• We have read other reviews that this place is notorious for its not so awesome service staff. Trust me, they do live up to their notoriety. They get you what you want still without faulting in orders, but most of their attitudes really need some correction.
• The Yellow Tail is a little bloody and fishy still. Though I ain't a huge eater of Yellow Tail, if you ain't a fan of the bloody after taste, we would recommend that you just order the Salmon platter.
• The waiting time for the Squid Ink Fried Rice was rather loooooooooooong.
• The Squid Ink Fried Rice is salty.When we raised that up to the service staff, they told us that that was the way it is. Well, we have nothing to say to that. Looks like you have to try it for yourself as tastes differ accordingly. (Our friend felt that it was just fine, so we guess it really depends on the person eating it.)

(Squid Ink Fried Rice) 

(Grilled Scallops Skewers)

Note:

• As stated clearly in the menu, only those items tagged in the "early bird happy hour" stickers are entitled to the 50% offer. (We had some off the 50% offer, but it's worth it! Especially the Grilled Scallops!)

(California Maki) 

(Soft Shell Crab Maki)

I would actually like to point out one of the male service staff; he's a tall and lanky Chinese dude who really brought up the service standard of this place. My only regret was not being able to get his name to do a proper commendation for him. He's the only person in this place who came and poured us tea even though the pot was at our table, filled the pot when he realized it was empty and had the politeness to ask before clearing our plates (unlike the rest; they just stick their hands over and take the plates away). Moreover, our dear May left her bottle in the restaurant and he even took the liberty to run out of the restaurant to find us and pass us the bottle. (Mind you, we've walked a fair bit by the time he caught up to us.) Most of the service staff would just pick up the bottle and leave it at the counter without making the effort like he did. It's always the little things that matters. His actions saved our impressions on the restaurant's service standards. 

(Soft Bone Skewers)

Overall, we would say that you have to choose wisely over what to order even though there's a 50% offer as some ain't worth the price even after the discount! We would safely say that the Sashimi and the Maki are worth ordering, and if you wish to pamper yourselves, you can get the Grilled Scallops too!

<3May&FJ