nogawa. 27 bukit manis. sentosa golf club. singapore. +65 6373 7120.

birthday treats. one of my favourite things in life. being away from home for 5 years will make one treasure these precious little moments with the family where tastebuds and light-hearted conversations take over.
nestled in the golf club of singapore's very own place of pure leisure, the island of sentosa, lies my red-ribboned gift for year 2010.

"irashaimase!"
the shoji doors, the chef behind a sashimi counter and the waitress dressed in a lovely light blue kimono bustling around in rapid little steps completes the japanese picture.


once the daiginjo for the meal had been served, our eyes opened up to a miniature garden of thinly sliced flounder, chu-toro, aji mackerel and botan prawns. an interesting mix of mild flavoured flounder to the wild strong flavours of the mackerel and the smooth-juiciness of the semi-fatty tuna to the springy tasting prawns. the dish left us craving for more.

a little addition order of uni was in order to complete our tour of textures. enhanced with the nori which was served together.

next up, tea pot soup with king mushrooms. the scents of the forest lightly encircled my palate with each sip, getting it ready for the dishes to come. one cannot help but wonder how apt the name was given the light and delicate flavours of the soup.  

the family love eggs. a petite treasure trove of chawanmushi must be ordered whenever available. the dish left behind a mild lingering note of eggy sweetness.

before we could finish the chawanmushi, our attention was taken away by the aromatic scents of the garlic fried rice. the little bowl of rice was a blend of delightful touches and tangs.

2nd splurge of the meal. japanese kobe on aoba leaf. im not sure if the charcoal did bring out the flavours of the maple leaf and our lady in kimono should had probably warned me about the possibility of getting a complimentary dish of human tongue cooked rare... but the way the kobe beef dissipates in my mouth made it all worthwhile.

it happened to the sanma season hence grilled sanma had been ordered. smokin'. simple yet gratifying.

japanese creativity came in the form of uniquely flavoured ice creams at the lunch finale. pumpkin and black sesame. black sesame had always been a personal favourite of mine whereas pumpkin, a first. pleasantly surprised and loved the continuity of flavours which does not rudely demands for your attention but slowly churns out wondrous. 

my red-ribboned gift proved to be a sensational journey through the wonderland of savours and textures. no words can begin to describe how grateful i am to be home...