Melo Villareal
A New Look with John & Yoko
Going Japanese with cosmopolitan restaurant John & Yoko takes on a whole new meaning with its interior update and menu revamp. After 8 years as the beloved choice in Greenbelt 5 for Makati diners looking for an upscale dining experience, the upgrade stirs things up in bold and exciting ways. John & Yoko introduced urban cuisine in the tradition of Japanese restaurants found in cities like Madrid, Rome, Paris, and of course, New York.
Restaurateur and Sumo Sam Restaurant Concepts Group honcho Ricky Laudico says, “Filipinos have developed a more discriminating palate for Japanese food, from the freshness of their sushi and sashimi, the crispness of their tempura, the umami of their ramen. Cosmopolitan cuisine has also evolved from urban and trendy into more sophisticated gastronomy with global appeal. John & Yoko takes it up a notch with a new look that appeals to a wider crowd, and a more interesting menu for a truly unique flavor experience.”
Bold playfulness
The menu revamp involved much more than adding new dishes and taking out old ones. To bring a truly unique experience to its clients, three top chefs put their heads together. Former Nobu New York and Shibuya Las Vegas chef and John & Yoko head Chef Chris Oronce is a rising star in the Philippines for Japanese cuisine, and uniquely positioned to infuse a bold playfulness into the dishes. He says.“We’ve infused bolder flavors into the menu for some interesting flavor combinations, and employed some new techniques on the bestsellers to bring out more flavors,”
Chef Benjamin “Bengon” Gonzales contributes a touch of tradition to the endeavor, bringing to the fore his years of experience with the cuisine, and his Torigin and Furosato training. He says, “The dishes showcase different culinary traditions, both Asian and Western, with premium ingredients and sauces that offer new flavor profiles.”
Mix in the innovative techniques favored by Chef Sonny Mariano, who has won numerous international competitions help in Singapore and Malaysia, and you are sure to have a winning combination. He says, “There are more textures on the menu now, with components that add that extra crunch or creaminess, so you can savor each mouthful. Several dishes also showcase a combination of temperatures, with both hot and cold components.”
Menu rundown
Some of the stars of the menu include Salmon Carpaccio, and Truffle Prawns in Asparagus. Healthy choices feature Spicy Tuna Salad, Salmon Lasagna, and Unagi Chocolate. Must-tries are The Salmon Aburi with Mango Salsa and The Dragon Roll. You should also check out the selection of Mini Tacos in Crab, Tuna, and Salmon, or even the Scallop Dynamite, Oyster Overload, and Crispy Chicken Teriyaki. Other selections include Uni Truffle Pizza. The Euro Soba , and the Shoyu Chasyu Ramen.
For heavier fare, the Chicken and Shrimp Japaella is sure to please, while the slow-cooked Braised Buta Kakuni and the Ropponggi Steak goes down very well. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with the Dessert Bento, a cacophony of different crepes.
Chef Chris says, “At the heart of each dish is still the well-loved classic. The new dishes are simply exciting takes on old favorites, and we hope our guests find a new favorite dish on the menu.”
The fun has just begun. John & Yoko is set to roll out even more dishes in the future. Chef Sonny explains, “We’ve decided to update the menu every so often so there’s always something to look forward to. It’s going to be exciting for the diners of the restaurant.”
You can be part of the excitement by checking out John & Yoko at the 2nd Level of Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Call 623-7255 for or send an email to [email protected] for reservations. You can also connect with them by visiting their Facebook page (John and Yoko Cosmopolitan Japanese).
