♥ Eternity

Monday, May 26, 2008

So.....today was darling's off-day.....we decided to visit my ex-Les Amis Chef's restaurant at Purvis Street.....Kinda wanted to kill 2 birds with 1 stone...firstly to celebrate our 5th month since marriage-cum-65th monthsary of being together, and secondly, to check out the restaurant for a friend's birthday....

Totally did not regret going there man. The food was to die for...and Chef Gunther's skills has definitely improved since then.. I think it was good that he came out of Les Amis to open his own restaurant...coz in that way, he actually has free reign over the menu and everything, and isn't under the beck and call of a boss....

The whole dining experience was exquisite. To think, it's been 3 years since I worked under him.... and also 3 years since Darling and me last had fine dining, which was at Au Jardin...

So anyway, all the waitstaff are dressed very smartly and very sleek, and they took care of every little thing....and well, when they asked if this was my first time here, I couldn't help but blurt out that I used to work under him! haha... the service staff was shocked, and immediately took the menu out of my hands to say that in that case, there was no need to select any dishes coz he believed that Chef would definitely want to prepare something special for me!

So yup, he informed Chef, and then came back to ask if we had a budget...initially darling and me had planned to only eat their set lunch menu, priced at $38....but since he asked, and I know what Chef can do, so, we upped our individual budget to $60 each... and it was so worth it. I mean, I guess he gave us a lot of discount and all, and went out of his way to prepare stuff that's not even listed on his menu....and I truly truly appreciate it man..... Chef called for me to meet him...and yup, we had a really short talk... and lo and behold, our food started churning out of his kitchen.....

Towards the end of the meal, he also stepped out of the kitchen, and dropped by our table to talk to me and Darling...think he was really really nice about it considering I was only a trainee under him then... have definitely decided to bring our friend there for her birthday in July!!!

Without further ado, I shall let u salivate at the amazing food that we had today!

French tomatoes with Fava beans and Spanish ham - sweet and not overpowering..

I can't remember what this is called, but it is definitely cold pasta with truffle, truffle oil and chives. Bold and overpowering...superbly exquisite....

Duck Breast on a fine potato chip with apple compote - Loved the fine potato chip... and the taste was just right....

CAUTION! FAVOURITE OF THE DAY!!
Char-grilled Scottish Bamboo Clam with a peanut paste.
This dish was wonderful...i remember Chef always going to Turf Club to buy this and other seafood fresh in the afternoons.... so, I know that this was alive just before he cooked it for us! haha...the char-grill flavour was strong but not overpowering....and the peanut paste, or rather, peanut butter worked the flavours perfectly to cover up the muddy, fishy taste. Perfect.

Korobuta Pork Shoulder with Tomato Concassee. This dish had nice flavours, strong to cover the flavour of the bamboo clam before. And the mashed potato? AMAZING...

Warm Apple Tart with dragees.
I feel like kicking myself for not having caught the name of the ice-cream!!!! Though I've worked at Canele, and come to love only their ice-cream...but this.. boy oh boy..... i was speechless when I ate it...... it was tinged with the essence of rose to make you go WOW instead of scrunching your face coz it tastes too sweet...... and it complements the apple tart like a match made in heaven.....

Our Petit fours with coffee/tea - (L-R) Valrhona Chocolate; Vanilla Cream with Caramel; Canele.
Sufficient to leave you with a sweet and happy feeling as you sign for your bill.... =)

All in all, it was a perfect meal.....though pricey, but I sure wouldn't mind going back there again especially if he's gonna fix me such wonderful meals each time!!!!!

11:13 PM