Take it from an avid “let's go to Priya market this weekend” enthu cutlet, the place is practically overflowing with bars at this point. Speakeasies, casual bars, fine dining, you name the vibe and you are served. But, only a few remain in our top rotation because popularity does not equal greatness (sounding like the true bar connoisseur I aspire to be). You know the first stop in a foolproof bar-hopping itinerary matters. This first hang sets the mood for the evening, and is also essential because this is where you gorge on food to stay equipped for the night with no buzzkills. So, the food's got to hit the spot and, of course, the cocktails have to be banging too, cause hey, that's the point (isn't it?). Without further build-up, we will come clean and say, for us, this spot is Call Me Ten.
Bringing you Japanese food and inspired cocktails done right, the place is an homage to the founders' travels and exploration of the well-loved cuisine, and one of the few places that does it consistently well.
First things first, the place has got levels (literally) to suit whatever ambiance you want to pick from. The ground floor (level 0) greets you as a no-fuss dining space with friend groups and families enjoying long conversations over well-rounded sips and nibbles and more. Above this, at level 1, the vibe's popping off with dimmer lighting, there's great house music thumping, the bar sending off cocktail after cocktail with Sonic Dash-level speed, and people just having a good time dancing or vibing with their gang. The rooftop glasshouse has groups enjoying the same feels, but in our opinion, we'd save it for brunches. The interiors all over are minimal, influenced by Japanese elements, with the use of muted textures and wood.
Your cocktails start off with their omakase experience (Japanese for "I will leave it up to you") wherein you fill in your preferences (choice of spirit, flavour and strength), and their expert mixologists stir up the cocktail most suitable to the memo. The surprise factor is great, but the cocktails are even greater. The Bathtub is one of their most-ordered, and picante lovers can't get enough of it. There's also the Kimchi, with similar tequila and spice hits but more punchy. The Mango Sticky Rice is the perfect dessert cocktail, sweet and a reminder of good things, but our new favourite is the Tokyo Old Fashioned. It starts with a strawberry velvet, scrumptious and welcoming, and as you keep sipping, you are met by the smooth Toki whisky with umeshu and bitters for an overall balanced drink, not too sweet and not too strong, just what we like.
The food is absolutely amazing, which is a big ups since you don't need to harshly convince your teetotaler friends to accompany you here. Our cheatsheet is: Avocado & Baby Spinach Salad, Salmon Carpaccio, Chicken & Chilli Oil Gyoza, Portobello Mushroom from the Robata Grill, and the Katsu Curry followed by the Japanese Honey Butter Toast. Also, their new menu has Japanese pizzettes (the Mushroom & Truffle is our pick) and Japanese Peruvian Udon Carbonara, which is pure heaven and shouldn't be missed.
The menu, the food and drinks, and the warm service have us coming back to Ten every second weekend like clockwork, and we're sure you'll relate too if you hang here more than twice.
Bringing you Japanese food and inspired cocktails done right, the place is an homage to the founders' travels and exploration of the well-loved cuisine, and one of the few places that does it consistently well.
First things first, the place has got levels (literally) to suit whatever ambiance you want to pick from. The ground floor (level 0) greets you as a no-fuss dining space with friend groups and families enjoying long conversations over well-rounded sips and nibbles and more. Above this, at level 1, the vibe's popping off with dimmer lighting, there's great house music thumping, the bar sending off cocktail after cocktail with Sonic Dash-level speed, and people just having a good time dancing or vibing with their gang. The rooftop glasshouse has groups enjoying the same feels, but in our opinion, we'd save it for brunches. The interiors all over are minimal, influenced by Japanese elements, with the use of muted textures and wood.
Your cocktails start off with their omakase experience (Japanese for "I will leave it up to you") wherein you fill in your preferences (choice of spirit, flavour and strength), and their expert mixologists stir up the cocktail most suitable to the memo. The surprise factor is great, but the cocktails are even greater. The Bathtub is one of their most-ordered, and picante lovers can't get enough of it. There's also the Kimchi, with similar tequila and spice hits but more punchy. The Mango Sticky Rice is the perfect dessert cocktail, sweet and a reminder of good things, but our new favourite is the Tokyo Old Fashioned. It starts with a strawberry velvet, scrumptious and welcoming, and as you keep sipping, you are met by the smooth Toki whisky with umeshu and bitters for an overall balanced drink, not too sweet and not too strong, just what we like.
The food is absolutely amazing, which is a big ups since you don't need to harshly convince your teetotaler friends to accompany you here. Our cheatsheet is: Avocado & Baby Spinach Salad, Salmon Carpaccio, Chicken & Chilli Oil Gyoza, Portobello Mushroom from the Robata Grill, and the Katsu Curry followed by the Japanese Honey Butter Toast. Also, their new menu has Japanese pizzettes (the Mushroom & Truffle is our pick) and Japanese Peruvian Udon Carbonara, which is pure heaven and shouldn't be missed.
The menu, the food and drinks, and the warm service have us coming back to Ten every second weekend like clockwork, and we're sure you'll relate too if you hang here more than twice.
