John and Yoko - a SumoSam Upscale Resto
John and Yoko is now celebrating its first month of operation at Greenbelt 5. I'm excited to try it out ever since Greenbelt 5 opened. My excitement led to high expectations which were not met when I found out that it was just an upscale version of SumoSam (by Marvin Agustin and business partners). Essentially, it is SumoSam in Greenbelt 5 with additional menu choices (pizzas,etc..), brilliant branding, snazzy interiors and sexy servers. I liked the Japanese movie projected on the wall which adds "authenticity" to its Japanese inspired Filipino Food.
The John and Yoko concept is very good. In reality, John and Yoko is a Filipino Restaurant pretending to be a Cosmopolitan Japanese place. The head chef is Filipino. If I were to describe John and Yoko, it would be: SumoSam + Omakase + Teriyaki Boy + Snazzy Interiors + Sexy Servers = John and Yoko.
I liked the food because it was suited for the Filipino sweet taste buds. But we hate paying for over-priced food. It would be a good place to have a birthday treat or barkada blowout. I would recommend that you go with family and friends because it would be expensive if you eat only with 2-3 people. Expect to pay P500/ head.
The John and Yoko menu is a photo album of its food selections. There are no descriptions just photos and captions. The photos are enticing but some of them can be deceiving.
John and Yoko | Japanese Salads on the Sunset Strip | Ginza Tapas and Big City Teasers 1 | Ginza Tapas and Big City Teasers 2 | Soho Sushi and Broadway Rolls 1 | Soho Sushi and Broadway Rolls 2 | Rockin Ramen and Noodles of Immortality 1 | Rockin Ramen and Noodles of Immortality 2 | Soups in the City | Wagyu Packing District | Our Theory on Tempura and Teppanyaki 1| Our Theory on Tempura and Teppanyaki 2 | Steak of the Nation and Yakitori Republic | From the Deep Blue Sea |A Nation of Blowouts | Big City Bowls | The Sun Rises in the East | Too Hot to Handle and Too Cold to Hold | Brain Freeze Time
Sunset Prawn Salad (P 269 +SC) This is a 300 peso salad with only two shrimps, chopped to look like it was more than 2 pieces with a few vegetables on big plates. Learning: Don't order that salad.
Tofu Cheese Melt (P158 +SC). This should be described as Fried Tofu with melted Chiz Wiz and bacon.
Crunchy Squid Teriyaki (P138 +SC). We enjoyed the crunchiness of this squid appetizer. I would order this the next time around.
Beef Teppan (P289 +SC). We resisted ordering the Wagyu because it would only taste like Beef Teppan.
Wagyu Rice (P289 +SC). We fell for this wagyu trap. For a small bowl of rice and a little bit of Wagyu (which you cannot tell the difference between ordinary beef), you pay an overpriced fee of P300. Good for one person. Learning: If you plan to eat Wagyu, don't eat in places like these...
The kitchen has poor ventilation. Expect to smell when you get out of the restaurant.
John and Yoko Cosmopolitan Japanese
2nd Floor Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St., Legaspi Village Makati, Metro Manila
Telephone: +632 729-8698
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