Our wonderful lunch date experience at Watami in Ayala Fairview Terraces [Review]

The overall atmosphere at Watami is warm and laid-back. There are Japanese decorations inside the restaurant. We love its casual feel because whenever we go out, we just want to relax and escape the daily pressures of being in an office. The seats are spacious, but the dividers are high enough to allow some privacy, especially if you just want to have a nice conversation with your date.

The first time that we ate at Watami, I tried the Katsu Curry. It was Pork Cutlet with Curry Sauce, and it came with unlimited rice, cabbage, and miso soup. Mommy Khris, meanwhile, ordered the Cheesy Menchi Cutlet. If I remember correctly, this is like ground pork and beef filled with cheese. This also comes with unlimited sides and soup. We also ordered eight pieces of Salmon Aburi Maki.

On a different occasion, I ordered Katsudon while Mommy Khris tried the Gomoku Chahan, and we ordered Creative Skewers for sharing. We’ve also been ordering the Tonkotsu Chasu Ramen consistently.

What do I like most about Watami? I love the Pork Katsudon, that’s why I always order it, as well as the Salmon Aburi and the Tokkotsu Chasu Ramen.

Before I proceed, let me just give a small suggestion on the Pork Cutlet with Curry Sauce. The curry sauce is flavorful, and the meat is of high quality; however, I‘d like the katsu to be on the crunchier or more toasted side. You can request it from the restaurant, though, so that shouldn’t be an issue. It’s more of a personal preference for me that the default doneness of the pork cutlet is more toasted. I do appreciate the unlimited cabbage (fresh and crunchy) as well as the nourishing and satisfying miso soup.

Now on to our favorites. The Salmon Aburi has a smoky flavor that is a joy to the palate. The fish is fresh, and the crunchy vegetables are a refreshing contrast to the rich flavor of the fish.

The Pork Katsudon is a big piece of pork chop on a bed of rice, cooked with egg and a flavorful sauce. It’s really filling, comforting, and satisfying.

We also love ordering the Tonkotsu Chasu Ramen, which is bursting with flavors. The soup is a delight to sip, and the noodles are firm to the bite. It’s really good; I mean, who would say no to a good ramen?

Lastly, do give the Cheesy Menchi Cutlet a try, too. It’s really delicious and I think this is one of Watami’s most budget-friendly choices.

All in all, we always enjoy our meals at Watami. Of late, it has become top of mind for Mommy Khris and me whenever we want to eat out and go on a quick date.

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