We had a wonderful time. The food, the service, the service culture, and the sense of well-being. Amazing. Disclaimer: we were hotel guests, and we got a table with 90 minutes' notice.
I am not going to share food pics because you will need to go and eat here at Mei Ume, but I will share pics of the drink menu illustrations and a few creative recipes, as well as a corner table facing in a pic taken from the table of two where we dined.
Mei Ume is not inexpensive. Be price insensitive when considering the things you will choose from the ample menu. There is a good amount of variety and much to love here, whether you only adore Japanese or Chinese food (I will not get into provincial details of either). We found the dishes to be one or the other; however, there are fusions to look for between the cultures, and they are gems.
We over-ordered since we wanted to try as much as possible and within reason. We seldom take food out of the box, which is always true when traveling. The mission was not impossible; order as much as possible, take our time and enjoy the surroundings.
The interior is rich and warm. We ate at night, and the lights were dimmed just right. The ceilings are very high, and there are fabrics and some artwork that extend almost floor to top, which makes for a dramatic look and feel. There are seemingly few tables when thinking about a space like this, but they were all full and generously spaced, so diners were not on top of one another. The tables could have been closer, and it would have been okay, but at this distance, everything felt very exclusive, maybe even high-brow. After all, it is located at the Four Seasons Trinity Square, a beautifully finished hotel at the height of its existence. Mei Ume is sexy and romantic, very much so. Take a partner or a significant other; this is not a place for a table of eight or more. I know Asian families tend to eat with large amounts of family and guests, and there are times and places to do that, but not here. There is an intimacy in the space that can be easily disrupted. Come here to enjoy each other, the area, and the food; you will understand what I mean when you go to get there.
The service is captain-waiter style, and a few captain stations are mixed amongst the tables. The bar seats maybe ten, and the bar back has reflective glass so you can see what is happening around you should you step in for a drink.
The staff is mixed male, female, or gender neutral, diverse, and not stereotyped in any way. The person at the door was very personable, with no pretense, and, of course, very good-looking. Well-trained servers genuinely care for your enjoyment and aim to please you. The service was just right, meaning not too much asking or hovering, nor was it non-existent. The team knew when to come to the table and when not to approach. I love this when servers know their clients, learn them quickly, and figure out what is right and what is not. They did a top job. Utensils arrived and disappeared like a well-orchestrated symphony. Liquids were attended to; frankly, I cannot think of anything that needed to be done on point. Bravo.
The foods. Mei Ume is excellent. My partner cannot eat duck, but I have heard it is AMAZING here, so please comment back if you have that; we know we missed a Mei Ume classic. The menu is extensive and, as I mentioned, varied. We are demanding customers and have strong opinions whether we are eating hamburgers, pasta, or ultra-high-end dining. This is not ultra high-end and is not expected to be, which makes it so comfortable in our minds. The clientele was also diverse, some dressed up, and some dressed business casual; we saw no patrons inappropriately dressed; it was all brilliant. We were there on a weekday night later in the week.
We loved the following:
Hot Stone Wagyu Beef
Edamame with Salt Flakes (we did not have the spicey version)
Rock Shrimp Tempura
Shanghai Braised Short Ribs
Wagyu Dumplings
We also ordered several different Uramaki and Nigiri.
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