Sunday, 14 November 2010
Friday, 26 March 2010
The distant future is oh so near.
A few of weeks ago, we had a reunion in London. Steff kindly booked us lot for an evening meal at Inamo. We, three kings have been wanting to eat here for a while especially since it's a combination of food AND swish technology. The Japanese sounding name (to a foreigner like me) seems to suggest that it is one but, it's actually an oriental fusion restaurant.
As you enter, the place is much smaller than I thought and dark but that is so you can see the colourful images on the tables' surfaces. These are their interactive ordering system and the basis of their appeal. Basically, your table is projected from above with images. So your table is like a computer screen and you order your food through there by using some kind of touch pad. I'm not a very technical person so I'm trying to describe this as best as I can. A waitress asked us if it was our first time and told us how to use the table and even suggested in ordering food to share but from our experience there, it is not a good idea as the portions weren't so big to share. However, it may depend on what you've ordered.
It's easy to think that the waiter/waitress may not be doing their job but they still bring us the food and drinks and pretty quick too as they don't have to take orders from customers. Pros, you get the food that you've ordered so there are no misunderstanding between you and the waiter. Good for a first date to break the ice or if it goes dull, you can play Battleship or other games they've got. You can set a different mood on the table by choosing themes. My favourite was the galaxy look. They even tell you how much you've spent as an individual and as a group. Then there's the webcam to spy on what's going on in the kitchen. However, it may not be a live shot. In conclusion, the table was fun and cool.
The only downside of the evening was probably the food I ordered. There were seven of us and the facility limits us to just three tables (two people per table). Unfortunately, I had to share my touch-pad with Martin. We had a little dispute and accidentally confirm our order for a £16.95 Wagyu* beef which was in the end a steak cut up into 6 pieces for both of us to share. Even if I was eating this by myself, that would not be enough. The beef was soft but I found some bits a little chewy but that could be the fat. The sauce was lovely. The overall dish was okay but not for the price. I enjoyed Steff's crispy duck more. Next time I'll order that or Hannah's lamb chops. They looked very tasty.
*Wagyu is some sort breed of cattle that is fed with beer and massaged so they produce tender and juicy beef.
I have three tips for eating at Inamo:
1. Book a table. It's a high on demand place to eat.
2. It's best to check the menu online before you go. Reason was we had an hour and half to wine and dine because of reason #1. However, even if we were over the time, I don't think they'll kick us out. The food comes out pretty quick too. Another reason was if it's your first time, you need to get used to the system and try reading descriptions of the food at the same time. You'll learn quickly.
3. Never share an interactive table with someone as I did with Martin because you might make the same mistake that we did. An expensive mistake.
www.inamo-restaurant.com
Opening Times:
Mon-Thu 12pm - 11.30pm
Fri-Sat 12pm - 12am
Sun 12pm - 10.30pm
134-136 Wardour Street,
Soho, London,
W1F 8ZP
As you enter, the place is much smaller than I thought and dark but that is so you can see the colourful images on the tables' surfaces. These are their interactive ordering system and the basis of their appeal. Basically, your table is projected from above with images. So your table is like a computer screen and you order your food through there by using some kind of touch pad. I'm not a very technical person so I'm trying to describe this as best as I can. A waitress asked us if it was our first time and told us how to use the table and even suggested in ordering food to share but from our experience there, it is not a good idea as the portions weren't so big to share. However, it may depend on what you've ordered.
It's easy to think that the waiter/waitress may not be doing their job but they still bring us the food and drinks and pretty quick too as they don't have to take orders from customers. Pros, you get the food that you've ordered so there are no misunderstanding between you and the waiter. Good for a first date to break the ice or if it goes dull, you can play Battleship or other games they've got. You can set a different mood on the table by choosing themes. My favourite was the galaxy look. They even tell you how much you've spent as an individual and as a group. Then there's the webcam to spy on what's going on in the kitchen. However, it may not be a live shot. In conclusion, the table was fun and cool.
The only downside of the evening was probably the food I ordered. There were seven of us and the facility limits us to just three tables (two people per table). Unfortunately, I had to share my touch-pad with Martin. We had a little dispute and accidentally confirm our order for a £16.95 Wagyu* beef which was in the end a steak cut up into 6 pieces for both of us to share. Even if I was eating this by myself, that would not be enough. The beef was soft but I found some bits a little chewy but that could be the fat. The sauce was lovely. The overall dish was okay but not for the price. I enjoyed Steff's crispy duck more. Next time I'll order that or Hannah's lamb chops. They looked very tasty.
*Wagyu is some sort breed of cattle that is fed with beer and massaged so they produce tender and juicy beef.
I have three tips for eating at Inamo:
1. Book a table. It's a high on demand place to eat.
2. It's best to check the menu online before you go. Reason was we had an hour and half to wine and dine because of reason #1. However, even if we were over the time, I don't think they'll kick us out. The food comes out pretty quick too. Another reason was if it's your first time, you need to get used to the system and try reading descriptions of the food at the same time. You'll learn quickly.
3. Never share an interactive table with someone as I did with Martin because you might make the same mistake that we did. An expensive mistake.
www.inamo-restaurant.com
Opening Times:
Mon-Thu 12pm - 11.30pm
Fri-Sat 12pm - 12am
Sun 12pm - 10.30pm
134-136 Wardour Street,
Soho, London,
W1F 8ZP
Martin and I should not share.
How you operate the table.
Seeing what's going on in the kitchen.
Hannah won against Martin and me...
Miriam and her special veggie set.
Wagyu beef.Thursday, 18 March 2010
In need of serious update
Good morning! We have been terrible at updating this blog! Since May last year? Well, we have millions of photos of food to share soon and I've been designing our royal coat of arms (we are kings). I don't think the other kings have seen it but I will post it soon! This is just a quick post to say we are still here. We're just busy kings with the occasional laziness but, mainly busy!
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