Osaka

Pablo's classic Frutes are smoothies made from a combination of fruit juice, cream cheese and soft cream. Refreshingly tangy and smooth, the drink is rich and cheesy without being overwhelmingly so, and swirled through with a sweet mango sauce. Topped with whipped cream, more drizzles of mango sauce and crumble, it makes for a decadent yet affordable treat.

Taste: 3.5/5

An absolutely adorable oba-chan toils away tirelessly in a tiny space the size of a small closet, industriously churning out ball after takoyaki ball.

The smallest ones I've seen yet, they may not be the best(a little dry and no mayo), but her patient labour of love despite being in a dingy basement surrounded by more enticing eateries, melted our hearts and won us over.

Taste: 3/5

When meat meets fire, deliciousness ensues. This is not on the English menu and the staff don't speak any either, so you'll have to discreetly point at other customers' orders to indicate your interest.

Taste: 4/5

Just next door to the vastly more popular Kame Sushi, Nawa is a great alternative if you don't fancy waiting in line at the former.

Great sushi here where everyone sits around the sushi bar with a clear view of the chefs in the middle preparing your food.

Our first plate was packed to the brim with 4 types of sushi -- the sweetest Uni(¥470), fatty Toro(¥490), ocean fresh and smoky, grilled Anago(¥320), and the peculiarly pale yellow, crunchy Herring Roe(¥320).

Taste: 4/5

The pièce de résistance - 4 types of gorgeously marbled beef that you get to cook to your preferred doneness on the grill set into the centre of each table. Part of the Matsusaka Beef Special Course(¥5800).

Taste: 5/5

Sinfully greasy grains of glistening rice, strewn through with fried garlic chips and salty chunks of bacon. The pungent aroma wafting from the hot stone bowl hints at the garlicky potency sizzling within. Just don't expect any kisses after.

Part of the Matsusaka Beef Special Course(¥5800).

Taste: 4/5

Marvelously melt in your mouth seared beef sushi. Part of the Matsusaka Beef Special Course(¥5800). #BurppleSushiMonth

Taste: 4/5

These are certainly some of the best lobster rolls I've had -- each roll is made with 5-6 Maine lobster claws, lightly dressed in lemon butter and pressed into a soft roll slathered with butter. The lobster meat is extremely fresh, plump and sweet. Heaven in each bite! Having said that, we got the cheaper lobster roll not made from US imported lobster too, and to be honest, we couldn't really tell the difference!

Taste: 5/5

A flaky pastry shell gently cradles the most ridiculously fluffy japanese-style cheesecake filling that's pillowy and cotton soft with each bite. If you like your cheesecakes mild, you'll definitely savour the mellow cheese flavour accented with a touch of sweetness from the alluringly glossy mango glaze that's been emblazoned with the unmistakeable Pablo logotype.

Taste: 3.5/5