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Christchurch
Reviewed by Diana
Other
Christchurch Restaurants
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Date/Time:
Tuesday 12th September
7.30 PM
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Restaurant:
Yamagen
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Booking:
Advisable
to book, especially for Teppanyaki tables at any time, or
at weekends. As it was a Tuesday night we took pot luck
and walked in on the off-chance there would be a space.
There were no teppanyaki seats of course, but were seated
immediately at a table on the restaurant floor.
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Where
to Find:
Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Christchurch
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Parking:
Available under
the hotel, under the casino across the road, or on the street
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Service:
Excellent, as always – friendly and unobtrusive
Presentation:
Always perfect
Cuisine:
Japanese
Wine List:
reasonable choice; spirits,
beers and sake also on offer as you would expect. I particularly
enjoyed the citrussy oiliness of the Te Whare Ra Riesling.
Value for
Money:
Exceptional.
Main course served with salad, rice and miso soup for around $30
per person.
Ambience:
Understated, very pleasant
The feel good
factor:
I eat at the Yamagen regularly, often for
business lunches. If we’re there at night with guests we usually
head for the showy teppanyaki chefs, knives flying and good humour
guaranteed. This was a different situation, and we both enjoyed
sitting away from the drama and savouring some truly brilliant classical
Japanese food with warm and attentive service and the perfect glass
of wine. A slip up with our drinks order was handled with grace
and aplomb. Still my favourite tempura in town, and the beef is
to die for – even better than their teppanyaki. All in all a delightful
experience – one of those spur of the moment dinners after a 12
hour day from Hell in the office, and a great antidote. The Crowne
Plaza also take The Entertainment Card and are members of the Priority
Privilege scheme, which cuts down your bill even further.
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