" Oyama Macho Bar "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

My curiosity about this restaurant had to finally come to an end and the big night arrived yesterday after having booked the table about one month ago. I love japanese food and had wonderful experiences in Japan as well as fabulous dinners in NYC where places like Tomoe Sushi, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Sugiyama and Jewel Bako are on my all time favorite list. Unusual dishes or never heard fish don't scare me away, I am more then happy to try everything that is new to my western palette. And this is what Oyama is already famous for.

We were seated on the left hand corner of the bar, right at the entrance. The non ordering concept makes the customer feel homey and it creates positive anticipation. Mr. Oyama greeted friendly towards our direction. I was told by the waitress about the different sakes and her explanation and suggestion was very helpful. I wouldn't mind to have a little explanation for the food as well and talk about the different dishes and sushi specials that are about to arrive. It would be respectful gesture since I am willing to spend at least 1000 rmb for one person and a delightful teaser as well.

However, we were served a little soup and some sashimi. And piles and piles and more piles of ginger. But no sushi.

We witnessed how delicious plates full of sushi's would be served at the restaurant tables. Tables that arrived 45 minutes after us.

After finishing already the second bottle of Sake I asked Mr. Oyama if he is considering to finally feet us and asked him why we don't get some of those wonderful looking sushis like the rest of the restaurant.? First a giggle and then he answered "they ordered it". That was very confusing to me since I thought that there is no ordering in this restaurant? After my second complain to Mr Oyama, the service speeded up but we were still wondering how he could not have seen us, since we were sitting right in front of him and the bar was, except of 2 other people empty by that point? Is Mr Oyama more focused on male guests and their wifes or his japanese clients with whom he loudly chatted while we were sitting there starving? Is this a macho oriented restaurant?

We did get something red that melt in the mouth, something white as well and some sort of mackerel that had the melting effect. The rest of the sushi was of the same quality as you can find at Haiku / Shintori / Sun with Aqua. Mr Oyamas concept being the only restaurant in Shanghai that serves unusual and exotic fish reveals around only 3 types of different fish in my case. Is that justifying the celebrity status and difference of Oyama towards the other japanese places in town? For now Mr Oyama can keep this position since he is still without competition. In a place like NYC Oyama Sushi bar would be one of many and not especially noticeable.

My all time favorite list didn't get a new member last night. My expectance was not satisfied and I won't return.

" Great Sushi, Great Experience "

Value for money		Suitable for...
The food		.. a date
The service		.. business dinner
The decor		.. with friends

The decor is classy and the service - for Shanghai - excellent. Also, Oyama himself is a very enjoyable host for the evening. In terms of quality, presentation, and flavors, we were impressed - way better than any other sushi we've had in Shanghai. And yes, it doesn't come cheap, but it's also not unreasonable, given that the fish is flown in everyday from Japan. But, the evening ended up sour a bit later, when my husband and I both ended up with a minor case of what appears to be food poisoning (or something similar). It's really too bad - we had a REALLY great experience AT the restaurant, but I don't know that we'll be rushing back now. I believe it was probably an isolated experience to something served last night - at least I hope so!

Would be a very suitable place to impress someone!