Chinese New Year 2008

Well, this is going to be a short and sweet update on the first 3 days of the Chinese New Year! It's been a splendid time with family and friends, and I'm glad I dragged myself out for the times of fellowship we had.

The family came over to the apartment tonight for a wonderful evening! Mama cooked for the whole gang, and it was just a joy to sit around the poolside enjoying the company of the whole family!

joseph and praise

gladys

gabriel

Ah, it's always to see the young ones commune with the older more mature folks. Haha. Mom and Sarah spent the entire preparing the feast for the gang, and boy were we glad to taste such great food from the 2 wonderful ladies!

keep the smiles coming~

Gordon opened another priced bottle he's had for 10 years, just to share it with me the other night! I'm truly honoured he would share his wines with me~ I've always known how much sentimental value these are to him.

wine appreciation by the poolside

The poolside is also well decorated for the occasion! With lanterns hanging on the trees that surround the pool, it definitely was the place to have dinner with the whole family!

pretty lanterns~

Aunty Kath and Uncle Kian Heng also got us the must-have Yu Sheng for the gathering! Getting a large from Sakae was definitely costly, but well worth every mouthful! The serving of salmon was generous, and the combination of tastes were fresh and compatible with one another!

yummy!

a generous serving of gold-coins too!

Those represent wealth, which everyone needs! Wahahahahaha~ This year is going to be a prosperous year for everyone! Huat ah!

baked popiah

A healthier choice for the conscious! Sarah helped prepare these and they came out great. Filling was really tasty, and the skin crisp to every bite!

garlic chicken

fried fish fillets

Not shown in the photo is a very very yummy Chilli Crab Sauce which accompanied the fish! It's award-winning I'm sure! Maybe one day I'll master it and let some of you lucky tastebuds have a go at it~

cheng teng

A very nourishing dessert to end such a splendid evening! Made with 6 different herbs (it's kinda a secret so I can't reveal. Lolx) and my favourite ginko nuts, this dish definitely left a sweet impression for the night!

Oh! Uncle Sze Cheng drove Uncle John's pick-up here, so he was willing to give us all a lift home!

the children at the back

They just love sitting at the back don't they? It seems like the world to them when their hair gets blown by the wind. Haha.

gladys' lovin' it!

It's been a great 3 days with family. Being able just to spend time with the ones I love just makes every moment precious. I'm glad for family and friends, people who have always been a blessing in my life.

To all of you who have had a great CNY too, remember God during the festivities and always thank Him for the wonderful stuff he places in our lives. Never take everyday for granted!

Reunion Dinner 2008

What a great year! 2008 marks the year of prosperity, good luck, and abundant wealth! Just what I need for a lovely year ahead! Also, since it's the Year of the Rat, the Tiger is going to be on the prowl. *evil grin*

a pretty table setting at the apartment

We came early so that we could have more time together before the dinner. My mom booked us the second seating at 8.30pm to prevent any hurry during the dinner. True enough, that was the best choice she could have made. Choosing the 6pm slot would not only a rush for everyone, but it also means we would have to vacate the restaurant by 8.15pm.

my sister receives her hong bao!

Every kid loves red packets during the Lunar New Year! It's a blessing from our elders symbolising a year of good fortune and great wealth (yes yes yes!) ahead!

We had wine tasting with Gordon as our teacher! He opened a great bottle just a few days before, and specially invited us early so that we could share the bottle with him! Wine appreciation just got a level higher!

the children appreciating wine

Barolo - The most collected wine in Italy, is also one of many to claim the title 'Wine of Kings' and 'The King of Wines'. It is produced in Cuneo's province, south-west of Alba, within the region of Piemonte. Using the Nebbiolo grape variety, Barolo typically smells of tar and roses, and can take on an unusual orange tinge with age. When aging of at least 5 years, the wine can be labeled a Riserva.

1999 barolo - a definite riserva

The initial nose would remind you of a pine tree, the body surreal. I was asked to compare this against another bottle, and boy was I surprised at the difference. Barolo would boast about its tannin and body, silky to the palate. What a joy to taste such a good wine with family!

Gordon was going to throw away the bottle since we finished it, but I had to request to take it home for Isaac. He would love to keep this bottle. The Chef is finally learning to appreciate wine, so you diners can look forward to food paired with good wines really soon!

I requested a family photo be taken for us since we've never had one. Gordon was excited about it as well, and took out his toys (tripod, 40d etc) for the perfect execution of our best family photo yet. Playing around with the flash, he was finally able to attain a good amount of light for a fabulous photo with all 4 of us in it!

finally a family photo!

Lovely isn't it? This is the best that came out of probably 30 different shots that we took. It felt like a photo studio in the apartment man. Haha.

After a great time of taking photos and appreciating (and learning) wines, we were off for our annual reunion dinner! We took a bus down to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. We cut through Marina Square and it was a literal ghost town. I've never seen Marina Square this empty before. Haha.

such a sweet couple~

Cherry Gardens

Boasting of their Cantonese cuisine, this restaurant has its decor to brag about as well. Although we were not seated in the main restaurant, we took a peek after dinner. The interior makes you feel like royalty. The entrance, all the way to your table, takes you into a whole new world.

the hotel greets us

We were up for a 7-coursed dinner. It was rather modern, and not the traditional one that you would expect every year. It was gastronomical, and the dinner ended on a beautiful note (which wouldn't? With family with you, everything ends on high).

Trio Happiness "Yu Sheng"
with crispy fish skin, "hokkagai" surf clam,
in plum and spicy XO sauce

As we tossed, the well wishes for everybody filled the table. I wished for a great chapter ahead for Gordon and Mom, and a prosperous future of wealth for Sarah! Since they said the higher you toss these, the better your luck for the year ahead, I was about to do a Jireh - stand on the chair to toss. However! We are cultured people eating in a very fine restaurant, so I'll keep my manners. Haha.

Double-boiled Shark's Fin
with water chesnut, dried conch, scallop, carrot,
agaricus mushrooms, and nourishing herbal roots,
in chicken consomme

A really flavourful soup! Every mouthful was delightful! You wouldn't believe how sweet the carrots tasted. The mushrooms were a new variety which I don't think I've tried before, and they were really tasty. Mmmm~

Crispy-fried Prawns
with peach mayo cream sauce

Just like the first course of any wedding dinner, this cold dish was well accompanied with the peach mayo cream sauce. I also noticed an interesting find - passionfruit! No wonder there was something that tasted really familiar. The only downside to this would be the batter being a little to tough to bite through.

Baked Abalone
fresh mushroom and chesnut in pocket

What a lovely combination of so many varieties of mushrooms! I know I don't have enough knowledge to name them all, but tasting the different varieties sure played with my palate! Leaving the abalone for last, this was definitely a star.

Deep-fried Fillet of Sea Perch
with garlic in soy and vegetable bouillon

My 2 thumbs up for the evening! This was my favourite dish of the whole dinner. Deep-fried to perfection, the sea perch was crispy on the outside, yet amazingly tender on the inside. It flaked to the touch of my knife, and was a joy at every bite. Accompanied by a magnificent sauce, the caramel onion with garlic in soy sauce was just beyond any reduction I've tasted before. Truly a great fish paired with a lovely sauce for the win!

Poached Crystal Pea Noodle
with seafood in sour and spicy broth

Gordon was impressed with the amount of seafood they offered in this dish. My sis was reminded of Thai Food, where such a broth would be easily a take by the locals. The scallops were fresh, and the prawns were huge and succulent. The noodles were not separated well, but the nice spring to it saved the former.

Glutinous Rice Dumplings
in double boiled ginseng, tremella mushrooms,
honey dates and ginger tea

What a better way to end the reunion dinner than with symbolic tang yuans in a delectable soup! The soup was very nutritious (and by that some of you know it's a tad bitter as well), and it took a while for me to take to it. But once your tastebuds acquire the taste of the soup, you'll find yourself enjoying every sip of it down to the last drop.

What a lovely dinner with family! Gordon enjoyed seeing how generations come together for a nice dinner. For me, it was the coming together of families to enjoy a wonderful evening together. A grandfather playing with his grand-daughter, a family of 30 celebrating an elder's (80th?) birthday, to even the filial piety of a son having a small table with his mom and wife. Truly, a night to remember!

It's About Time Peter!

Alright, apologies first~ Yes, I'm sorry I haven't updated in the longest time! I've had photos piling up in my camera and I just was too lazy to get them up on Blogger. Haha. I know I know you all were waiting for an update. So, to compensate for all the photos I have not updated on, I shall now update on the last 2 weeks of my wondrous life. Heh.

Adopt A Block - Hong Baos

I am so sure I'll see this photo up on the Dunamis Rock blog, because the Queen is going to take them from here and put them there. Haha. No?

our team of excitement

We took the 8-13th floors. Shirley was telling us about these 2 cute old ladies who asked why they couldn't get more than one since it's Chinese New Year. Haha. Super cute la. It was nice seeing Edward going around blessing these people with the great smile of his. =)

the suave 6 guys

See? Doesn't EQ just complete this photo? Initially not wanting to join in the photo, he was forced by Aunty Anna and I to join in. Haha. Too bad EQ, you're too charming not to be in it.

just outside the coffee shop

Nice shot right? I bet you guys who read but have never been to our Ministry Centre must think Aljunied is a boring place. But no! Look how beautiful Aljunied is now!

always pretty and cheerful

Eh Christine! My friend says you're pretty! He wants to know you! Haha. =P

It was really fun having the youths go around and blessing the residents with Hong Baos for the upcoming Chinese New Year. It's such a joy to see the smiles on their faces, both the youths and the residents.

Eden's Cafe - 30th January 2008

This week has been such a blessing for me! My sis actually asked me out for dinner for the first time in a long time. Knowing me as a chef has put a lot of stress on people when they want to bring me out for dinner.

HELLO PEOPLES~~ Want to ask me go coffee shop talk talk also can ok? Don't need bring Chef to nice nice restaurant know! He is a very simple guy, really!!

But anyways, it was really nice to have a really good dinner with my Mom, Sarah, and her 3 friends. At first I was worried if my mom would fit in. But she was such a sport! She can hang around any group of people man~ Coolest Mom in da world!

did i mentioned prettiest too?

She left the choice to the chef. She trusted him so much to cook her a wonderful creation. And yes, he did a fantastic job! Sauteed linguine with salmon and saffron, topped with crispy bacon! The linguine was just a tad too overcooked but the dish was fantastic. My mom enjoyed it so much and was having a great time talking to the chef about food.

prettiest sister in da world

A huge piece of beef covered in a fantastic black pepper sauce! Lovely. Wholesomeness is something I always look out for when we eat nowadays. You not only want good food, you would need to be filled. If the chef doesn't fill you up, the experience wouldn't be complete no matter how good his food is.

sze min enjoying her's as well

Did I get her name right? I apologise in advance if I didn't get it right ah? Don't come after me with a chopper~ Haha.

charmaine and her chilled flavoured tea

Somehow I think it's spelt Shermaine. =/ I'm really bad at names man. Haha. This flavoured tea is really refreshing. There were strawberries inside, which made the tea really good. =)

the impressed chef

Do you see how huge the salmon is?!?! It's super huge you know!! And it's super fresh, and is perfectly cooked! The salmon flakes nicely to the touch of my knife, assuring me of how well it was cooked. What you don't see is that it's resting on a huge portobello mushroom. It's so succulent and juicy! I need to find such huge ones for The UppeRoom as well man. Haha.

wanlin's dish finally arrived!

This is worth the mention! It's removed of almost all fats, giving you only the leanest of the chicken! The skin is crispy and tastes heavenly. The meat melts in your mouth, and leaves the aftertaste of the Shiraz. YES~ Shiraz. The chef doesn't use inferior wines. He uses the best to bring out the best taste he can give you!

I know some of you would love to have a go at this wonderful restaurant! It's located at 54 Club Street! You could call them for reservations at 6536-1181 or visit their website here! Their desserts are really good as well! You have to get them if you want to end your dinner on a high note!

Church - 3rd February 2008

I had a really good time in Youth yesterday! We did a simple, but very important, activity that made us feel good about ourselves because people see how beautiful God has made us to be! It was nice seeing a lot of 'chef' and 'cook' on mine. Haha. I'm assured, now, of how much God has given me the gift of cooking for the people around me. Oh oh! The weirdest one was 'you look like a chef'. I literally went =.=''' maybe all chefs look the same? *shrugs* Oh! Following this was 'peter petrelli' and 'sylar!'. Wahahahahaha~ See la, now I need to take all your memories away. =P

jerome looking dazed

11 more days people! Only 11 days left! Add it to the date mentioned above and you'll get your answer. Work hard! Wahahahahaha~ I will (literally) be working really hard that night. =P All in the name of making people's night the best one. *grins*

pam had nice nails!

I don't understand why she covered her face when she's so pretty. Maybe she already has enough to reject and don't need more? Haha. Jkjk Pam. =P

mr charming

Oh yes EQ, let that title sink deep within you. You've been doing really well over the last few weeks on drums aye? So, since you're such a nice guy, how many hearts you plan to break this year? =P

jerald finally takes a good one!

It must be a miracle or something man. Jerald finally agrees to take a nice photo beside THE chef. Haha. Always shunning cameras, this good looking dude never ceases to make the people around him smile. *nods*

what's with shen?

Trying out the system with Jerome was pretty cool. I, on the other hand, was busy telling the gals that they only had 11 days left. To that they replied, "You go tell the guys to work hard la!" Whoa, what happened to equality? Haha.

Tamako Meal - Dinner with Isaac

I'm blessed! Firstly my sis took me out to a fantastic dinner, and now my best friend took me out for wonderful Japanese!

we're in japan!

It was a really simple Japanese restaurant but man was it cosy! I really felt I flew to Japan for this dinner. Isaac, similarly, was as stressed to impress me as much as my sis did. Haha. Why ah? Why you all so stressed to bring me out to eat? I'm a very simple boy!

the look of satisfaction

Salmon again! Super huge! Wahahahaha~~ I love salmon! Ok, Edwin's going to get jealous. Listen dude, you had your salmon with maggi mee, pretty close to mine don't you think? =P

isaac's cold soba!

It was cooked to perfection! This restaurant is run by a family of Japanese, and their food tastes so different from Sakae or the big names in the Japanese dining scene here in Singapore. If you're finding authentic Japanese cuisine run by a family, this is definitely the place to go!

salmon sashimi!

Also boasting of it's freshness, this restaurant serves delectable Japanese cuisine that's not only fresh, but with really pretty presentation as well! The sashimi was cut evenly, and it could impress someone like Isaac who doesn't really eat sashimi to really love it!

my set from heaven

Do you see the amount of food I got?!?! Every single item was finished up to the very last bit of its existence. Wahahahaha~ Super yummy! Tempura was a bit overcooked, but everything else was delicious! I loved the Gyoza and Potato Salad! Needless to say, the salmon was making me go crazy at how good the food was turning out!

silken tofu

I'm not a real fan of tofu but this turned out really nice! Having it with the sauce just makes it feel so nice inside. Also! This is healthy! Choice number one for someone like me who needs to lose weight. This is the part I hear the world saying, "peter! you must eat! don't starve yourself!" Haha.

delectable squid in sweet sauce!

Ahhh, Ben must be jealous now, no? Haha. Cooked to perfection! The squid is not tough, and melts in your mouth when you have it! It was so good even the tentacles was gobbled up to the very last one. Heh.

kara-age chicken!

*pats back* Nice photo right?! Haha, maybe I should send them my photos for them to put in their menu! =P This came out straight from the pan and onto our table, threatening to burn our tongues before we decided to wait a while before chomping on it. Haha. A little to simple on taste and seasoning, this was later redeemed because of the succulent center yet crispy outer shell that brings about such a beautiful texture to this whole dish!

After eating such a great and satisfying meal, Isaac didn't give me a choice for dessert. He ordered a wonderful dessert that left me boasting about this place to my mom.

matcha ice cream!

No where near anything I've tasted before! Authentic Japanese Matcha Ice-Cream! Every mouthful bursts with the essence of green tea and cream combined. Not too sweet, this was indeed the best choice for dessert!

I've noticed something which is very true. Food doesn't necessarily need to look very good on presentation. You rather spend more time perfecting the taste and quality of your food than to serve something that looks good yet tastes mediocre. This week has been great for me! I've had 2 dinners that left me feeling really impressed with the food. That's what I want my guests to feel! I want them to remember the food because it tasted good and filled them up nicely!

Oh! Can you believe with the amount of food we ate, what the bill came out to be?

I Would Pay: SGD60 for both of us

The Actual Bill
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
SGD20 per person

=.=''' Can you believe after ordering so much we didn't even cross SGD50?! I am truly impressed with this place. Great food, friendly service, at the best price ever!

Located at 128, Casuarina Road, you can reach them at 6553-4128 or email them at tamako_meal@hotmail.com! Their lunch hours run from 1130hrs - 1500hrs. Dinner starts at 1800hrs and closes at 2200hrs. Kindly note they are closed on the first monday of every month except for public holidays. Get the family and down here. You'll not regret when you see your children smile at the food their served.

With that, I end my super long post with a huge sigh of relief. Haha. I'm sure you all have been blessed with insights into how a chef lives his life even though he's serving the nation. Heh.