Remember back in the nineties when we thought the new millennium would bring us jet packs, sentient robots, and flying cars? We haven't quite reached those giddy heights yet, but Wagaya Japanese restaurant in Haymarket is doing its best to bring technology to the table with its nifty approach to ordering—touch-screen menus. Your inner child (or your actual child, depending on who you choose to dine with) will love the way the entire menu is at your fingertips. With a touch of the button whatever your stomach wants will soon arrive, and you can even track its progress with the nifty order status function.
One side effect of touch-screen ordering is that you will be tempted to get one of everything. This wouldn't be a mistake at Wagaya, as the food is imaginative and playful. The relatively small portions make it feel like you're having Japanese-style tapas. Dishes are varied (deep-fried
lotus root, steamed
spanner crab, ox tongue, and Japanese pizza are all on offer), and the beverage menu is extensive, even going as far as conjuring up gemstone-themed non-alcoholic cocktails.
Fried lotus roots - image courtesy of Leona at
Pigged-Out
Wagaya's signature dish is undoubtedly SUSHIan roulette. Six pieces of salmon sushi, five containing a small dab of wasabi. The bullet? One piece smuggling enough of the green stuff to ambush your sinuses and flood your face with tears. Spin the plate and dig in. Hopefully you're feeling lucky.
There is no gambling when it comes to the service, which is swift and efficient, even though touch-screens eliminate much of the contact with the wait staff. With interesting food, exotic drinks, and a top use of technology, Wagaya makes you feel like you're dining in the future. Now if only you could track down that jet pack.
