Anniversary dinner at Nobu

Last night, we finally had the opportunity to dine at Nobu, an experience I have been looking forward for some time. Being our 3 years anniversary gave us enough reason to enjoy ourselves at this highly successful international chain.

It's been opened for 2 years now and it was still a buzz with plenty of guests arriving and settling in. Upon arrival, we were immediately escorted to the bar for drinks while waiting for our table to be ready. We were told that the previous diners were still at our table. Something tells me that its just one of their tactics to get us spend more $$$. My reasoning? We sat at the bar for a good 45 mins!

Thanks goodness our meal was SUPERB!

Our drinks - Emporio Martini (left) and Passion Crush (right)

We took a quite a while to decide what to order. We were both hungry and everything on the menu seems extra delicious. We took the easy way out, chose 8 course degustation menu on their signature dishes. :D

Each dishes lived up to 2 very hungry diners' expectations. It's Japanese food with western touch and they did it quite well... from mixing Mexican ingredients with sashimi to improving salmon sashimi.

The highlight of our dinner was when the black cod with miso melt in our mouth. It was so tender and moist that we looked silly trying to eat it with our chopsticks. It kept slipping off. Apparently the black cod was marinated in a good deal of sake-miso marinade for 2-3 days.

Dish 1: Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno

Dish 2: (top to bottom) Shiromi usuzukuri whitefish sashimi, salmon sashimi with dried miso and new style scallop sashimi

Dish 3: New style salmon sashimi (highly recommended)

Dish 4: Tuna tataki with tosazu (highly recommended)

Dish 5: Black cod with miso (highly recommended)

Dish 6: Beef toban yaki (highly recommended)

Dish 7: Sushi platter

Dish 8: Warm chocolate satandagi with almond ice cream

We had loads of fun salivating all these amazing dishes that we don't mind coming back again to try other the rest of the menu. Their wagyu 9+ received good reviews as well. Already looking forward to our next trip to Nobu, but not before Tetsuya's!

Parents' 40th Anniversary

12th January 2009 marked my parents' 40th anniversary. Both my missus and myself made a short trip back to KL first week of Jan to celebrate their milestone. It was all meant to be a surprise and it turned out just that. :D We all did a really good job keeping the surprise dinner a secret. My dad's eyes were red and mom cried when they found out. That's GOLD!

We made a song length slide show to commemorate their 40 years as husband and wife and the family they have built. It took us a while to get the right song, when we came across a song entitled "Voyage" by John McDermott, we knew this was THE song for them. It basically sums it up what they had gone through the last 40 years. Very meaningful!

I've attached the video below, followed by the lyrics. Enjoy!

I am a sailor and you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
We hauled up our anchor determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure together we set sail

With no maps to guide us, we steered our own course
We rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
We sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We've built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination is not marked on any chart
We're navigating for the shores of the heart

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

Congratulations to Ai Hoon & Aries

We attended Ai Hoon & Aries wedding on 5.10.08. It was held at the Nathania Springs in the Dandenongs Victoria Australia. Both Mei Lee and I were looking forward to attend their wedding as we have not been to a "aussie" style wedding. We know its going to be different from those we have attended so far.

We were there early to help both of them out with the front desk and to organise the arrival of guests before the Holy Matrimony at 2.30pm.

By 2.15pm, Ai Hoon arrives in their new shinny red car, given to them by their parents as their wedding gift, so I heard. All the photographers were rushing out trying to get a nice shot of the princess of the day. I wonder whether she felt like a superstar with all the photographers going crazy!

We all then took our seats in the gorgeous stained-glass chapel, with both the Aries and Pastor Jonathan waiting for Ai Hoon to walk down the aisle with her dad. Below are some of the snapshots of The Holy Matrimony.

Aries and Pastor Jonathan patiently waiting for Ai Hoon

Ai Hoon walking down the aisle with her dad

Pastor Jonathan giving his speech on "Intention of Marriage"

Aries happiest moment!

Ai Hoon and Aries lighting the unity candle

Newly wed couple walking down the aisle, embracing their future together

A group photo with the rest of our Melb friends

Then the pre-dinner drinks and finger food were served. Chatted with friends and guests and before we know it, it was reception at 6pm. Just in time as I was already getting hungry. Nice!

It was a 3 course dinner with a choice of chicken or salmon for main and 10 choices of desserts! Mei Lee was looking forward for desserts, good choice as I have more of her salmon. :D

Our allocated seats and hand written name cards

The menu for the evening

The newlyweds making their entrance during the reception

Entree: Risotto of smoked chicken, bacon, mushrooms and spinach with parmesan and tarragon

Main 1: Roast Atlantic Salmon on a green pea, prawn and herb risotto with a citrus hollandaise

Main 2: Chicken Breast Wellington based with camembert, mustard and onion in a golden pastry on a caramelized onion gravy

The newlyweds cutting their wedding cake

Desserts: The 10 choices. (I am too lazy to name all the 10)

The wedding ended around 9.30pm and both Mei Lee and myself enjoyed ourselves very much. The chapel wedding was very nice, Nathania Spring was filled with flowers blooming, the weather was good, the wedding was well planned, food was great, especially the desserts (according to Mei Lee), it was truly an experience for us as much as for the newlyweds.

Once again, Congratulations to Ai Hoon and Aries.