The Day I Got it Wrong. Twice

What can I say? No excuses, I got it wrong. Twice.

The first bout of less-than-intelligence came as we were driving along the ECP up the BS bridge. He pointed out the lights atop Swissotel The Stamford and half-asked me if there was a party on the helipad. Since I really couldn't make it out (old age and deteriorating night vision perhaps?), I said no. My mistake?...Insisting that it was just the coloured lights of NABG. And hence the argument ensued. Point: He started it.

Until we got close to Le Pont de Vie. And then the quest for a parking lot began. As usual, I voted (and won since I was in THE driver anyway) for the option of flouting the law and ignoring the double-yellow lines. (But we miraculously got a Real lot coz someone drove out of the lot just as we were going to do The Deed.) Yay.

Kamal had told us about Tye setting up a place of his own. And I had read the review in the papers last Sunday. So there we were.

Beautiful setting. Very quaint and romantic. Wish the seats were a bit more comfy though. (Gentle remidner: I am spoilt and a fan of cushioned-everything)

The lack of cushion comfort was quickly forgotten by the two warm slices of baguette served with gorgeous truffle-infused butter. The kind I will crave for when I am in my bread-butter phase.

Since He was happily exploring a virginal wine list, I selected the Egg starter (but of course!!) - a millefeuille of wafer-thin slices of celeriac and leek layered with TWO perfectly runny eggs with parmesan shavings. It was AWESOME. If we were at home, I would have swiped the plate clean of yolk with my fingers!

I was in the mood for lamb. So lamb it was. Although the lamb was technically-perfect, the accompanying eggplant compote was bland and overpowered by the tomato bits and jus. We spent a bit of time debating what the dish needed to get the WOW factor. Perhaps dijon mustard. Or fresh aromatic herbs. Or a good glaze. (Well, we're going to give Tye and Chef Too a chance to find that special zing that will make the lamb dish a crowd-puller.)

By the time we got to dessert, He was, as usual, on the verge of "I can't go on!"

Until I showed him the "Valhorna Chocolate Fritters with Dark Chocolate Gelato". Haha. I win. Finally I got it right.

Imagine biting into a small rectangular parcel made of thin crispy Filo pastry and then utter bliss. And decadence. f you think you've sinned, trust me you haven't. Until you have this. There's NO TURNING BACK now! (i.e. Currently My #1 Chocolate Dessert)

He knows that I'll never share this again. Perhaps, a small bite of the fritter. And a teeny dollop of the gelato.

Sharing is a virtue. Point: but Indulgence is one of life's simple pleasures.

Welcome to My Dining Room

One day about 2 years ago, just before we left The Firm, He decided we needed a Good Dinner. Back then that usually meant, Garibaldi, Saint Julien or Domvs with a really good bottle of wine (or more!).

So it was quite a surprise when he told me when I picked Him up that we were going somewhere new. Wow. We were risking it. Oooh. Bye bye comfort food!

I drove to Club Street. And after waiting for ten minutes for a guy to wriggle his car out of the lot, I finally parallel-parked upslope (hunger does wonders!) without scraping or bumping into anything...Up the flight of stairs I went, wondering why He was taking me to the Union (Bar) Restaurant. He had gone ahead to make sure we had not lost the table.

The moment I sat down, He had a wide grin plastered neatly on his face. "I thought I'd order for you." Probably to shut me up, he added almost immediately, "Trust me."

And trust him I did.

We started with the Oyster 6 ways (a platter of fresh oysters topped with GORGEOUS dressings). Damn I wished there were no cholesterol concerns. My favourite was the Oyster Jelly - freshly-shucked and subtly-enhanced with a topping of green tea & ume wine jelly. Slurp...

He had already decided we HAD to have ALL the starters. And so we did. Foie gras, great. Crabcakes, yums. Salmon gravlax with diced egg may, to die for. Really. That taste remained in my memory and my palate for days. (Which then explains why we went back for dinner the following Saturday and then the following Friday.)

And if like me, you are a BREAD pig, indulge. The cute mini fresh-from-the-oven (i.e. perfect) baguettes are serious stuff. Trust me (at least this once if you've got Trust issues).

The young chef, Vincent Teng, is so humble and friendly he'll put most other local chefs to shame. When the staff realized we were back again the 2nd time, Vincent came out to thank us for supporting him. And by the time we came the 3rd time, he'd already knew that I was still after the gravlax. By our next visit, they were offering us 15% off our bill. Which didn't matter, coz we were already SOLD.



Since then we've been back countless times. The staff are extremely helpful and will try their very best to fit you in even when they're full. Unlike some chic places that give you a curt "Sorry we are full.(PERIOD)", the host/hostess will offer you a slightly earlier/later table and ask if they can get you a table at the Union Bar while you wait. And yes, they are all sincere smiles even when you are the last table.

Hmm, it's Wednesday. And we haven't made plans for Friday when He returns...

Back in Action (& The Jap Treasure)

I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I last logged in!
A lot has changed since then.
For one, we've got our own kitchen!!! Yes He finally signed the papers after I declared I wouldn't partake the house-hunt any longer. Fifteen months after the first viewing.

The new job's great coz I'm on a year-long sabbatical to study. Which then explains the MIA status really. But the gastronomical adventure must continue!

In honour of the last BIG meal we had, I'd like to talk about a Jap treasure smack in the middle of town...When either one of us exercises our No-Red-Meat Policy (usually after lamb overdose) and do not feel like cleaning up the kitchen, we know it's time for Mezza 9.

Last Tuesday, 12 Sept, we celebrated the 5th anniversary of our first date. At Mezza 9. But since that first dinner, we've moved on from the little corner of the menu that listed the woodfire-roasted meats. Japanese food connoisseurs, eat your heart out!

We are perfectly happy if everyone continues to rave about Shiro, Yoshida, Aioki, Keyaki and the likes, then we won't have to share the guys at the sushi/sashimi counter at Mezza 9. These guys are REALLY masters of their craft. When they start slicing the blocks of fresh fish, they are totally focused on giving you the best platter of sushi and/or sashimi you can get. And every platter that's presented to you will look like a work of art, complete with bright yellow marigolds and fresh wasabe. Ask for the deluxe sashimi platter, and if you are lucky it'll even include sea urchin and (beautifully-marbled) salmon/tuna belly!!

The other secret in Mezza 9's Jap offerings: lamb chop yakitori. Finger-licking, lip-smacking GOOOOOOD to the bone. Just thinking about it is enough to make me hungry.

**Don't hesitate to ask any one of the chefs to recommend a bottle of sake!

And if you've got room to spare after the feast, don't leave just yet...get the staff to transfer your bill to the Bar and ask Anthony, one of the managers, to make the Sage Appletini. Perfect palate cleanser. Now Number One on my martini list. Period.

Go on, call them. 6416 7189.