Purple Taste: [Closed] Satsuma (さつま) Shochu Dining Bar @ Gallery Hotel, Nanson Road

Located at 1 Nanson Road, this restaurant was our chosen venue to celebrate a friend's birthday. As it was our first visit, we were kind of lost. Went in to the hotel, and followed the sign to the restaurant. Was a bit confused when the sign pointed us out of the hotel. Nevertheless, we made a right turn, and saw Mimigar (but it was closed that day) and shortly after, found Satsuma (さつま).

Level 1 dining area looks quite small. Since we had made reservation for 8 pax, we were informed that our table is at Level 2. Climbed up the metal stairways to Level 2, and we were then showed to the private dining area. Not exactly private since everyone can still see us and vice-versa. Birthday boy said he felt as if we were sitting in a cage. Hahaa!

our dining room, with a clear view of yakitori chef

chirp chirp

That aside, it was kind of cosy. One has to take off the shoes prior to entering the room. The staff will hide/stow away your shoes, and it will reappear when you're ready to leave.

utensils

Two bowls of otoshi, consisting of raw vege (cabbage leaves, and vege sticks of cucumber, carrot and turnip) were already placed on our table.

vegetable munchies

miso, after much dipping and dabbing

Extensive list of sake and shochu, but we had none. Chose hot roasted tea instead.

roasted tea (refillable)

For starters, we had the Salmon and Avocado Tartare (@$20++) from the cold dishes (冷たい) selection.

salmon & avocado tartare

raw food: salmon tartare on cabbage

I think the waitress suggested raw oysters (probably seasonal items?), so we had that as well.

small sized raw oysters (@$10++ for 3 slivers)

Quite yums, the raw oysters. Slurps.

Then our platter of Sashimi Moriawase (large @$69++) arrived. Consisting of ebi, hotate, sake, akami, tako, mekajiki and hamachi. Liked the flowers too. Nice visuals.

Sashimi Moriawase (刺し身盛り合わせ)

Tried the akami, hamachi and hotate. Liked the scallops best as it was sweet~

hamachi (はまち)

akami (赤身)

hotate (帆立)

Then, the grilled items (炭焼き) began to arrive.

Japanese mackerel with plum and chicken thigh with leek (3 portions = 6 sticks)

tebasaki (3 portions shown)

Chicken thigh with leek was tender and succulent.

chicken thigh with leek (ねぎま) @$6++ per portion (2 sticks)

The Japanese mackerel with plum received very favourable feedback from birthday boy. It has quite the smokey taste with deep char on its outer skin, adequately salted and oozes with fish oil.

Japanese mackerel with plum (秋刀魚梅巻) @$9++ per portion (2 sticks)

By this time, I was beginning to feel quite full. Nevertheless, one can never be too full for chicken wings!

tebasaki/chicken wings (手羽先) @$7++ per portion (2 sticks)

Oily, lovely, tiny salted wings. Oh, devoured in minutes and you'd probably make such a nice snack to have with beer or shochu.

Next, beef rib-eye. Think it was by default done medium (to medium well), and should be eaten as soon as it was served. Tender with a slight chew and kind of juicy. Lightly salted. However, when it was left out for a little while longer, the meat became slightly tougher and more dry.