Tanuki Raw, new restaurant bar at National Design Centre

I was walking pass the beautifully lit National Design Centre in the evening when I noticed what seemed liked an alfresco bar. I crossed the road to have a closer look but there was no bar – just a row of bar tables in the shadows lined up by a reflecting pool. The scene was somewhat surreal and I was wondering if the setup was just an outdoor exhibit of some sort. Then I saw there were people drinking and eating at the tables. Traipsing into the grounds of National Design Centre late in the evening, I discovered that Tanuki Raw Restaurant & Bar had opened up a new outlet in Kapok, the lifestyle concept store on the ground level of the National Design Centre.

We had been to Tanuki Raw at Orchard Central (see our earlier post). The same creatures that stared at us throughout the meal at Orchard Central greeted me at Tanuki Raw @ Kapok.

The furniture of Tanuki Raw at National Design Centre is the same as those used in the Orchard Central Outlet but gone is the gritty industrial look. Tanuki Raw in Kapok is bright and cheery. The interior dining area looks homely and inviting.

The menu had raw oysters, a variety of Japanese and fusion rice bowls and sushi rolls. The Happy Hour menu looked interesting with cocktails at $10 and beers from $12. They thoughtfully provided a “Back to Work Beverages” menu for those who needed to go back to the office after happy hours.

I was there after Happy Hours and ordered a Negitoro Herumetto ($14) and an Iced Latte ($5) for a light supper. GST and service charge would be added to the bill.

A bottle of water and glasses were on the table. Utensils and side plates were also on the table.

Negitoro Herumetto is a souped up variation of the tuna sushi. Spicy chopped tuna with avocado and lettuce were stuffed inside crunchy seaweed shells and topped with cheese. Three pieces were served on a bed of shredded cabbage. The combination of fatty tuna, mashed avocado and crunchy seaweed provided a nice balance of taste and contrasting textures. It was quite an enjoyable light snack.

I was glad to stumble upon Tanuki Raw Restaurant & Bar at the National Design Centre. It is a nice comfortable space. The friendly staff were helpful and efficient. Tanuki Raw is a great option for a light meal or drinks when visiting the National Design Centre.