Mikusu: Conrad Bengaluru, Ulsoor, Bangalore

Restaurant Name: Mikusu: Conrad Bengaluru, Ulsoor, Bangalore
Phone: 080 49653446
Address: Conrad Bengaluru, Kensington Road, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008 India
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM, 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 3,000
Cuisines: Japanese, Chinese, Thai
Facilities: Serves Non Veg, Full Bar Available, Serves Cocktails, Valet Parking Available, 4/5 Star

Decor:

This is the Oriental restaurant at the Conrad, the latest five-star hotel to open downtown. If it appears splashy on the outside, Mikusu, located off the lobby, is all restraint and quiet in style. Wood and earthy colors add warmth and attractive lighting arrangements exude a mellow glow at the restaurant that’s open only for dinner during the week. The food emerges from two live kitchens – one dishing out sushi, sashmi and cold appetizers and the other reserved for stir fries and grills, cooked here over charcoal.

Mikusu: Conrad Bengaluru, Ulsoor, Bangalore: Food

I will travel far for Japanese food. So, while Mikusu also serves some Chinese and Thai, it was the Japanese food I was excited about. Chef Dolphy Lobo, who heads Mikusu, presented a take on Tuna Tartare that was beautiful on the plate and set off equally impressive taste sensations in the mouth. Arranged in neat rows were the tuna, wasabi mayo, chives, tempura crisps and salmon roe, all of which you mix up, drizzle with some soy sauce and tuck into, savoring layer upon layer of taste and texture.

I then had the Asparagus Tempura Roll – a popular sushi order with vegetarians, which is impeccably executed here. We also tasted the Vegetable Crystal Dumpling and Chicken Gyoza, both of which were well done. Dishes from the Yakitori selection arrive at the table on mini grills. I enjoyed the Exotic Vegetable Kushiyaki with water chestnuts, tofu and lotus root; in fact, I liked it much better than my skewer of chicken and leeks, which had turned a bit dry.

We were quite sated by now, but had to taste a main course and ordered the Thai Green Curry with vegetables and ate it with rice. It was a lovely curry, with the right balance of Thai aromatics and just creamy enough without being cloying.

Of course, some fine sake is the thing to drink with this meal, especially if you order the Japanese. The bar also specializes in signature cocktails with refreshing Oriental flavors. If you are a fan of cocktails, you must try some of these.

Mikusu: Conrad Bengaluru, Ulsoor, Bangalore: Service

Service is spot-on, from the restaurant manager to the barman and the wait staff.

Plus and Minus:

The Sushi and Sashimi are top class and vegetarians can eat happily here, too. But the Yakitori was slightly less impressive.

Review [2]

This lobby level restaurant at The Conrad is a quiet haven amid the downtown bustle of the city. It leans towards a minimalist style with muted tones and clean lines, making for a quietly stylish setting. I chose Mikusu for a long, leisurely dinner during some window a few weeks ago, when it was possible to go out for dinner. Now, when dining at restaurants has again been suspended, you can order or take away from here.

There is an emphasis on the Japanese fare at this Pan Asian restaurant. We began with the Sushi and Sashimi selection, the latter arriving in an attractive arrangement swathed in swirls of dry ice smoke. The tuna, snapper and salmon were all wonderfully fresh and treated with care. There is also the Mikusu Platter (₹ 3,550) which includes sashimi, nigiri and chef’s signature rolls, such as the Boston Roll with spicy tuna maki. There are choices for vegetarians like the Spicy Shiitake Maki and Fried Vegetable Maki. Whether it’s appetizers, dim sum or main courses, vegetarians will find several options here, many going beyond the commonplace button mushrooms and babycorn.

The Barbeque Chicken Dimsum (₹ 650) is most enjoyable, with its filling lifted up by the toasty fragrance of sesame oil. We also had a few dishes from the Robatayaki, the Japanese grill; I did, however, expect more from the Yakitori (₹ 650).

For main course, we had Scallion Prawns (₹ 1,195). The prawns were large and juicy and the sauce, with the pronounced notes of soya sauce, was simple, yet delicious. We paired this with Yaki Udon Noodles with vegetables (₹ 650) and they do a great job with this here.

For dessert it was Tab Tim Krob (₹ 450) and Green Tea Crème Brulee (₹ 550), which was perfectly made with a pleasing crackle and the refreshing flavor of matcha.

In the present circumstances, you can have many of the Mikusu specials home delivered. Maki rolls and appetizers such as Seaweed Salad and Signature Crispy Tofu are available. You can order mains like Sliced Tenderloin Sichuan Style or Exotic Vegetables Black Pepper Sauce, or a Thai Curry Meal that comes with jasmine rice. If you feel like treating yourself to a five-star Oriental meal at home, then Mikusu could be a top option.