Modo adds main courses, new small plates, better desserts Modo adds main courses, new small plates, better desserts When Modo first opened,...

Modo adds main courses, new small plates, better desserts

Modo adds main courses, new small plates, better desserts

When Modo first opened, it was all about “small plates”— small portions intended for sharing. This went over well with girls out for a light meal and food writers in need of a break from gut-busting dinners, but many diners needed more on their plates. A year and a half later, Modo’s kept a tasty assortment of small plates, but added a list of big, hearty mains and made overall improvements throughout the menu.

The main courses are all in the ¥100-200 range and offer substantial portions and rich flavors. Our favorite is the beef tenderloin steak with goat cheese (¥168), served with sweet potato mash and black truffle sauce. The beef is of very high quality, and the dish offers a great combination of flavors. We also recommend the braised sea bass (¥138), a light fish that comes in a roasted pepper and potato stew with flavorful green olives.

A Fantastic New Selection Of Small Plates

There’s still a good selection of small plates, for ¥48, ¥68 and ¥98. Our all-time Modo favorites, the spinach ricotta malfatti and the goat cheese tortelli (both ¥68), remain on the menu, but there are additions as well. The beef short ribs soup (¥48) is homey and rich, the tangy bits of apricot essential to keeping it appropriate for spring. The iceberg wedges with Roquefort dressing (¥48) are light and crunchy, but with an extremely strong cheese flavor.

Desserts are all ¥58, and we’re happy to report that our favorite white chocolate mousse is even better than before, now that the large pistachios in the dish have been replaced with more finely ground almonds.

We also recommend trying the new chef’s menu. You get six courses for ¥338, but even more exciting is the fact that you can add just ¥120 for free-flow wine.

Find it: S10-31, 3/F, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Rd,Tel: 6415-7207