Continuation of the Birthday Adventures - Staycation, Goto, Fullerton, Pelican, Lady M

   The wifey decided to kill two birds with one stone by organizing a staycation over the weekend. We could continue with the birthday celebration as well as take a very short break before charging ahead for the next work week. We started the day with lunch at our favourite Japanese fine-dining restaurant, Goto. This place is so exclusive that while we were there, a family of five was turned away because they didn't make any reservations, although the restaurant was not full. I suspect the main reason is for the chef to uphold the high standards that he brings to his cuisine. It was no surprise that the fare was no disappointment.

Every item in this New Year set has meaning: the bark-like shoot represent stability, the shrimp represents long life (bent over like an aged person), the anchovies represent abundance etc.

Some of the best sashimi ever!

Tempura eaten with salt, not sauce.

Don buri.

    Next, it was to the Fullerton Hotel, the former Post-Office Building. The room was comfortable. No complaints here. Just that I miss the butler service at the St Regis. Haha. Yes, I am spoilt. All thanks to the wifey.

Fullerton underpass

Posing as tourists

The view from across the Bay

The Pelican's Snapper Pie. We almost couldn't finish it. Well worth the 30 min wait.

Lady M: nice, but over-rated. Green tea cake. Strawberry shortcake. Mille Crepe. Been there done that. No need to dine here again.

    So ends our adventure as tourists in our homeland. Back to work for the week. Next stop, Phuket.

Birthday Dinner - Pietrasanta

   Happy New Year. Not long after the wedding anniversary comes my birthday. And according to our tradition, it's feasting again. Pietrasanta, named after a sleepy town on the northern coast of Tuscany, in Italy, is a simple restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. Pietrasanta, the town, although not very well known, boasts some of the best beaches in Italy. It's also known for its marble crafts, with illustrious names such as Michelangelo picking his carrara marble from the region. Like it's namesake, this quaint little restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in town. 

Check out the adorable bread balls; lightly-salted and matching perfectly with the balsamic and olive oil.

Mushrooms. I can't remember what kind but I love the way they serve the chopped up ones on the bed of shiitake. Simply delicious. A definite must-try.

The sweetest mussels we've ever had. The serving could've been bigger though.

The wifey with her squid ink pasta and with crab meat.

My stewed duck in savory dark chocolate. Yes, you read right - chocolate. It was a rare experience, an acquired taste. On a positive note, the duck was tender and juicy.

The mark of a good Italian restaurant - Tiramisu. It could've been "rummier" (as in having more rum) and a bit more moist. Nevertheless, it wasn't bad.

And finally, to top it all off - good, rich Italian coffee.

    The restaurant is a good place to hang-out, having both indoor as well as alfresco dining areas. It is family-friendly too; we witness a family of six (three children) having their dinner. In conclusion, if you're going for traditional Italian fare such as Caprese salad, this is the place. You must try the mussels and the mushrooms too. However, if you  prefer pasta and deserts, Ristorante Da Valentino at Turf City may be a better choice.

Wedding Anniversary

   It's been five years since we said our wedding vows. These five years have been eventful with up and downs. I'm absolutely grateful for the wifey who has stuck with me through thick and thin. This year we decided to have dinner at the Fullerton Waterboat House. I've heard how "atas" it's supposed to be and was surprised to be told that the dress code is smart casual. I could see the reason for this when we arrived. 

   The French restaurant on the groundfloor is no longer functioning. We found ourselves in the dining room after climbing a flight of stairs up to the second floor. The walls were covered with modern shipping maps (ancient ones would be have a better effect) and remnants of wine crates. Regardless of the slightly untidy feel, the restaurant felt pretty homely. It wasn't the "atas" place we expected. The prices of food were pretty reasonable too. Due to the low light, the pictures don't do justice to the food.

The seafood soup was delicious

You can't go wrong with scallops

Unfortunately, the duck was overcooked and too tough. A little rarer and juicier would be preferable. The mash potatoes on the other hand, was simply heavenly; light and flavourful. Even better than the self-proclaimed Atelier de Joel Robuchon's "world's best mash potatoes".

Dessert.

Yes it doesn't look like much. Some may even ridicule it's appearance. But this "Chocolate Mountain" (ok, "hill") is to die for. If you're into chocolate mousse, this is a must-try. Light and not too sweet; the combination of berries to the chocolate is perfect.

     We ended the day with a stroll along the CBD and Singapore River. We used to hang out here when we had no car and no house. Those were the days...