Sakae Teppanyaki

Never imagined I'd mention 'Sakae' on my blog, but alas, it proved itself worthy today. Was at Plaza Singapura to send in a Samsonite luggage for repair, only to realize it's such a scam. 1 handle + 4 wheels cost $175, and I'm quite sure before GST. Tsk. No way I'll fall for it. Can so get a brand new one already. Of course not another Samsonite since it's marked up like nobody's business. ANYWAY, this huge red sign board with 1-for-1 HSBC promotion at Sakae Teppanyaki caught our eyes. Pondered quite abit, considering how much I dislike Sakae Sushi. S was insistent though, so decided to give it a try (since 1-for-1 right).

Meal includes salad, venison, salmon, cuttlefish, mixed veggies w shrooms, miso soup, rice, dessert. All for $29.90 ($15 per person only!). Topped up $2.50 for garlic rice (a must) & $13 for sake. I tell you, our tummies felt so happy and satisfied after the meal, very much to our surprise. Perfect for garlic lovers and value hunters. Ok la, I would say the promotion was value for money, not sure about ala carte.

And so my conclusion for the day is that sometimes you don't need to spend the big bucks to have a hearty meal. Oh yes, no photos today cos didn't cross my mind. That's how skeptical I was. Haha.

Name: Sakae Teppanyaki
Location: Plaza Singapura (they hv many heartland branches)
Total expenditure: $52

Moving to Paris

It's confirmed. I'll be flying off on the 6th of April (just 9 days away!) at 11.40pm. Excited but nervous because of the pile of administrative work we gotta settle when we're there. Like housing, car, visas, french school etc. Have to settle in soon as we're expecting our first visitors in June! (No, in fact, there's already one arriving in April) Hmm..

Next time I'm back, it'd be to escape the winter and to attend Ruth's wedding, meaning December! Hopefully by then my knowledge of France, or at least Paris, would have increased many notches. But before that happens, any recommendations of places to visit/food to eat in and around France will be very much appreciated :)

Julien Bombard (Restaurant Week Mar10)

S & I headed to Julien Bombard today for the Restaurant Week lunch (thanks YT & Sharon for giving up your places!). Although not the most super value lunch set around, the food turned out to be really good!

Highlight of the meal for me is the smoked duck breast. If you do go, try not to de-fat! For me, it made all the difference.. Ordered oysters as an extra dish. Really salty since (as the manager explains) it's all mineral. Good thing he gave us heads up. Nonetheless, they were very fresh. We tried one of each of the main course & shared, which we thought was a very smart thing to do. Portions were well-balanced as a result. As for the pork platter, the pork loin seemed to be the tastiest. Paella was sufficiently fragrant as well. Indifferent about the sorbet since both of us aren't really fans of desserts. And as usual, what's a meal without a bottle of wine? :D

Name: Julien Bombard
Location: Ascott Raffles Place
Total expenditure: $260 (40++pp for set, 28 for oysters, 110 for sauv blanc)

Yokohama-Tokyo Mar10 (3)

For the 2nd part of the Japan trip, we stayed at Somerset Roppongi which was a darn good place given Tokyo's limited space. The room was way larger than a normal hotel room (twice I would say) and very well-kept. So comfortable that I'd recommend this to anyone heading to Tokyo. Price about ¥14,000 a night for premium studio.

Anyway, upon the concierge's recommendation, we headed to Shabu-Zen near the hotel. The shabu shabu was not too bad, just felt that the meats were a tad bland. But the attractive thing is the all-you-can-eat shabu buffet. If I had the appetite, would have definitely gone for it! VERY value for money. Deep fried squid was sooo good. A definite must-try. Shishamo, so-so.

Name: Shabu Zen
Location: Roppongi, near hotel

I'm sure when it comes to 'takopachi' balls, you'd have heard of Gindaco. Rather popular at ION basement (is it still?). Tried the original ones in Tokyo and omg, nothing can beat it. Super crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. What's even better is the cod-roe mayo topping!! (not available in SG) Pair that with a mug of whisky soda....... *salivates*

Right, next up, we have the oh-so-popular Tsukiji market. Didn't manage to catch the 5am fish auctions (sick, not lazy ok) which is supposed to be quite an experience. Heard it might be shifting location in an couple of years, so go before you miss the chance! Anyhow, we got there at 2pm & managed to eat the best sushi of all time. Crazily good. Don't need to tell u the shop name (I don't know actually) because all the sushi bars there are of top quality. Remember to bring enough cash!!

Managed to locate the renowned Ippudo (there's one in Mandarin Gallery in Singapore, go try). They have both quite different. This is tastier & oilier! Yumms. You can find many branches in Japan. Price is about S$16 per bowl.

Yokohama Mar10 (2)

Explored the other side of the hotel the day before & realized our area isn't as quiet as I thought. Ended up on busy streets with lil shops, malls & eateries - like the orchard road of Yokohama, I suppose.

Initially happy to hv found Tokyu Hands, but once again too overwhelmed by the sheer variety of goods available. For any one thing u can think of, they have at least 20 types of it! Anything really. So hard to decide..makes shopping v stressful. And so I left empty-handed, as with the many other shops. For lunch, I splurged on sashimi. Thinking of it makes me happy already :)

Cold crab, uni, amaebi & some kind of shellfish. One tub of uni like that will probably cost $50 in s'pore. Here, $20. How to not eat more??

Location: Takashimaya fresh market
Total expenditure: ¥4,700

The next day (meaning yesterday), I took a direct JR to Tokyo, Shinjuku. Waiting time 15mins, traveling time 30mins. Chanced upon this for lunch!

Some huge veg tempura thing with hot soba. I generally don't like crispy food soaked in soup. But this surprised me. The tempura actually tasted nicer when u soak it in, instead of eating it on its own. Egg yolk super tasty. Was fun eating with the Japanese as I tried competing with them on the level of 'sipping' noise when u eat noodles. Haha. Lost of course, but thought I had done well! No spoon, so drank straight from the bowl..exactly how I like.
Location: Shinjuku, street between Odakyu & Uniqlo, opp red Jumbo sign, turn right before orange sign
Total expenditure: ¥430

Headed out at night for some bbq supper. Tried this the last time we were here, & we've been craving for it! Must-try: chicken with soft bone

Location: Street beside Yodobashi-Yokohama, near bridge
Expenditure: Price for 1 skewer: ~¥180

Yokohama Mar10 (1)

Finally, here goes my first post! In Yokohama now with S. Quite erratic weather here. So much so that the plane turbulence earlier on felt like a rollercoaster ride (you know, the heart-sinking feeling when it flies down) & I hated it. Supposedly ~20deg but the wind makes all the difference.

And so our first feast begins.. Salad with sashimi. Portion's for 2. Lots of veggies, onions, and crispy flakes..very yummy combi! Plus sake in bamboo box - Interesting.

This is a meal with complete variety. Thank goodness we shared.. Apart from the scallop & prawn (in the rice bowl) being a lil overcooked & chawanmushi bland, everything else was good, esp the fish. Must-trys: Salad, fish, rice bowl

Name: 炭家米藏
Location: Yokohama train station, bldg beside Takashimaya, 6th floor
Total expenditure: ¥5,720