To those who are familiar with the inner intricacies of fine wine and dine spaces, the exquisite Shiro Restaurant sure needs no introduction. Tucked almost to the end of Greenwood Avenue , this quaint dining precinct provided for Shiro the best environment to suit its refined image. Best known for its exclusivity, no one enters this restaurant without first making a reservation.

• The Ambience.

  Following the Japanese style of paying intricate attention to every detail, Shiro is neatly designed with simple surfaces and neutral tones of brown and gold. This dimly lit space, illuminated only by spotlights, exudes an infinite air of elegance, and further enhanced by the cream and gold drapes that line the wall, giving it an aura of mystery. From the elegantly designed gold menu, to the immaculate waiting staff, and even to their restroom, the effort placed into making Shiro the perfect spot for fine dining is unmistakable.

  With soft lounge and jazz music playing in the background while the patrons speak to each other in hushed tones, it is easy to be intimidated by the whole ambience. In addition, those looking to dine in a more authentic Japanese restaurant will not find it in Shiro, as its dining hall does not seem to hold any element of being Japanese.

• The Haute Japanese Food

  There are two separate menus – the permanent list and the seasonal offers. The permanent list displays the 5-course set lunch and dinner plus ala carte dishes, while the seasonal one will be revised from time to time, with the chefs preparing delicacies that are appropriate for the season.

  Starting us off on our meal was the seasonal Renkon No Hasami Age ($15), which is a simple no frills dish of deep fried lotus root that holds minced meat within, served with a side of salt that is advised to be taken with the meat. Do heed their advice as this dish does taste rather bland, and was too neutral for my liking. However, do use the salt sparingly, or your taste senses would be overpowered!

  We were then served the highly recommended Shiro delicacy, the Kurama Ebi Garriyuki ($28), which is a platter of grilled prawns with a creamy garlic sauce and finely sliced cucumbers, further drizzled with a generous amount of glistening salmon roe over the top. Its striking taste certainly pleased our palates, and we could detect the distinct aroma of garlic, which was complemented by a tinge of spiciness. The texture of the prawns however, held traces of being placed on the grill for too long.

  Concluding our meal was a platter of Sanma No Watayaki ($25), which is a grilled Japanese Pacific Saury that was carefully marinated with finely grated mashed liver, and served with a side of mashed cold radish. A combination of all its condiments will ensure you a treat for your senses. The fish was grilled to perfection, and still held the aroma of the hollandaise sauce, which went well with the subtly scented radish. However, the meat was not very tender, but nevertheless managed to leave a pleasant aftertaste in my mouth, which was richly appetizing yet satisfying at the same time.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Shiro
Not one to be entirely comfortable in fine-dining environments like these, Shiro’s classiness definitely ranks as one of the top for being intimidating. Its high prices will also perhaps further dissuade many from coming to dine here, which on the other hand, helps to define its highly niche clientele. You can expect a 5-course set dinner at $180 +++ per person, while their set lunches are reasonably cheaper at $40 - $58 per person. Cuisine-wise, the food has been sufficiently delightful, though its quality did not manage to meet expectations. Nevertheless, if you are one to enjoy such dining affairs, do make your reservation with Shiro as it is in a class of its own when it comes to Japanese fine-dining in Singapore.