Monday 14 July 2014

Kihachi Cafe: Affordable version of this chain




Area:  Meitetsu department store at Nagoya station, 4th Floor  名鉄百貨店
Restaurant:  Kihachi Cafe   キハチカフェ
Website:  http://www.kihachi.jp/cafe/index.html
Map:  http://www.kihachi.jp/shoplist/cafe_nagoya.html

Hours: 10am-10pm



I've been wanting to try this sandwich for a while, being the sandwich lover I am.  It's a fried shrimp and avocado sandwich.  This restaurant has a monthly seasonal plate, but because this sandwich has become one of their staples, it's always on their menu.  I ordered the half plate because it comes with salad and it is still the size of one regular sandwich (¥1296).  The green salad had a nice mixture of different types of leaves, and was dressed with a mild vinaigrette which went well to accent the natural flavor of peppery arugula.  The carrot salad had a bit more punch to it, with I believe an olive oil based vinaigrette dressing and bits of fresh parsley and oregano.  The tomatoes in this salad added a bit of acidity, but the hard boiled egg mellowed the vinegar accent out.

Now for the sandwich...the menu prides itself on the perfect balance in this sandwich from the thickness of the bread to the flavor of the tartar sauce, the crispy fried shrimp and the amount of creamy avocado and arugula.  I must say there's a lot going on in this sandwich but the flavors do meld well.  I especially like that the bread was toasted and could hold up to the sauce and fried batter.  The slightly sweet and mild mustard sauce was a good contrast to the spicey arugula.  However the avocado was overpowered by the rest of the flavors and only added a pretty green colour.  

The cafe itself is a good place to go for affordable Kihachi food.  There also seems to be a Kihachi restaurant in the JR towers, but it is fine dining at fine dining prices.  

The atmosphere, is calm but somewhat upbeat with the warm deep yellow lighting and the jazz piano music playing.  

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