yesterday i met mingyao for lunch along upper circular road. we were undecided at first at what to eat but we chanced upon the japanese restaurant near tcc with the nondescript entrance - a 'kyoto' something - and took a look at the menu and we were attracted to the poor english - which meant, real jap! - and we took our place at the queue and after being led in through the main eating area pass where the lightwell is we sat at the bar counter behind, which was semi-alfresco and opened to the side lane with timber decks on the floor. dark wood and maroon - mingyao thinks they go together well and my katsu don was delicious - the egg was slurpy enough and the katsu was good too and i tried mingyao's salmon - awesome and fresh - no more going to wasabi tei, we contemplate. and dessert was some caramelised white jelly thing in a very small cup - just about right.

i think we'll be back.