Well, OK, actually the pizza was far better than average and in no ways bad. And the service was still top-notch (not to mention super-fast). But I guess we just had such high hopes that we were a bit let down in the end. At least the salads were decently good, but that may not be enough to bring us running back back here, especially for the prices that were paid. (It was interesting to note them offering a breakfast menu on weekends though; maybe that would be worth checking out one of these days.)
Separately, it was interesting to see one fruit stand in this food fair selling Japanese fruit, including some of those notoriously expensive melons. This one ran for S$69 (US$40.60). I had no idea how it tasted since this wasn't exactly something that I was ready to squander any kind of money on, but if it's anything like a rather expensive melon that I once had in Japan (under the fortunate generosity of a corporate host's expense account), then I'm sure that it was deliciously yet delicately sweet and juicy.
The strange thing is that most of the dishes on the menu turned out not to be sandwiches, but rather full-blown tonkatsu plates. Not that I'd mind tonkatsu, but this place was pitching itself as some katsu-sando place, and there wasn't even really anything on the menu for them aside for a couple items at the most. In fact, the sandwiches were already pre-made, sitting in plastic wrappers in a basket at the front counter. It seemed quick and easy enough, so I grabbed one for S$3 (US$1.75).
Whoops. That was a mistake. It got started on the wrong foot with the appetizers, one of which claimed to be a salmon nigiri, but very oddly, the salmon was smoked (I might as well have put it on a bagel with cream cheese). Next up came the “grilled salmon shioyaki and shrimp saka-mushi with dengaku miso sauce, with simmered sato-imo, carrot, green beans and Hanagata rice with white sesame seeds.” This was a bummer too, as the shioyaki wasn’t exactly the typically crispy hot Japanese fish off the grill with a pinch of salt. Instead, this was steamed or something instead (then again, I’m on an airplane, so I guess I can’t exactly expect them to have a grill on hand). At least the shrimp were fresh, but that didn’t really make up for it. 
All the Star Alliance carriers recently consolidated at the South Wing of Narita Terminal 1 to help facilitate connecting flights, sporting new check-in counters and allegedly more efficient processing. I was a bit excited at this prospect, as I had assumed that United got themselves a new Red Carpet Club while they were at it. Unfortunately, it was the same lounge; it was really only the departure area that had changed (whose automated machines didn’t work for me, BTW), as well as maybe the gate area for the other airlines. But the United gates were basically the same.
The menu was fairly extensive, with all sorts of cuts and sets at about 1500 Yen each (US$12.50). I went for a special kind of pork that went for twice that price though (apparently these are black pigs originating from China that had a stronger taste - kurobuta, is it?). It turned out very well, with an ultra light crust and a bit of an edgier (if mildly tougher) taste compared to a minced meat katsu that we also got that used standard pork. They brought out a special apple-based sauce just for this type of pig, which was a nice touch. And just as with Tonkichi, these guys come by to refill your shredded lettuce as much as you’d like.
One interesting thing about this place though was the huge selection of condiments sitting at your table, including not only the standard tonkatsu sauce and mustard, but also a lighter/spicier variant, as well as a number of dry spices, including dry chili pepper flakes, seasoned salt, and mixed herbs and spices (this reminded me of going to Lawry’s or perhaps more similarly, Anderson’s Pea Soup, where they have all those various types of seasoned salt that I keep trying each different kind…and liking each one too). Another pleasant surprise was the mini clams sitting in my miso soup (I’m always a sucker for clams, especially the extra-small variety).
