Located off the lively Clark Quay area, in a corner of The Quayside at Robertson Quay, Aburiyatei is a casual yakitori joint, with intimate counter seating reminiscent of the small yakitori bars littered across Tokyo. Limited al fresco seats outdoors provide just the right relaxed atmosphere to kick back, fill up on delicious grilled items and chug down a refreshing mug of beer.

Opened by the same people who brought you Aburiya, which is located a stone's throw away, Aburiyatei offers a fresh take on traditional Japanese yakitori. Mika Kitagawa, one half of the Japanese owners, comes up with most of the offerings on the menu, improvising on this traditional Japanese fare with new ideas and recipes. Before starting on the yakitori items, we were served a Caesar salad (S$11.90), with a special Aburiya dressing; potato salad (S$6.90); and onion soup (S$9.90), not much different from what you'll find in a French restaurant.

Aburiyatei places much emphasis on using healthy ingredients, and having unique, wholesome flavours without compromising on the natural taste of the food. Its Otoshi starter features organic vegetables sourced from Thailand and are served with a special dip of mayonnaise, miso paste and Korean chilli paste - a wonderfully addictive paste created by Mrs Kitagawa that we mopped up quickly.

But the highlight of the restaurant is, without a doubt, the yakitori. Aburiyatei uses fresh Jidori-free range chicken delivered from Johor daily. Firm, less fatty but still juicy and succulent, the chicken skewers are complimented perfectly with rock salt from Salzberg Austria. Popular items include the negimatare (S$4.80), chicken thigh cuts with Japanese leak; teba (S$5), juicy chicken wing with crunchy skin; nankotsu (S$3.90), chicken cartilage; and seiniku balsamic (S$4.80), thigh meat with balsamic vinegar. If you're up for it, we recommend a skewer of chicken skin. Sinful as it sounds, one bite of the flavourful succulent skin and you'll know it's all worth it. If you need a break from chicken, try the buta tomato (S$5.20), pork belly meat rolled with cherry tomatoes.

Quality sake, mostly the junmai type, and shochu are both served at Aburiyatei. Wines are also available by the glass (from S$7.50) to pair with your skewers. Though in all honesty, nothing beats washing down all that grilled meat with a cold mug (S$7.50) of Asahi Super Dry. - Joyce Huang

#01-10 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay. Tel: 6836 5370

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