Before I get into more trouble, I'd better chug along with the main purpose of this blog. Yours truly was literally roped in at the last minute to enjoy a dinner organized by some of my dad's long time friends. They were booked into an Italian restaurant called Bologna at the Marina Mandarin Hotel. Now FC and me have been here before. The standards have been rather, how shall we put it, mediocre. Not tonight.
We were seated in the far corner of the restaurant, nearly 90% hidden from regular tables via the use of some sliding doors. The menu for that evening was totally customized and neatly printed... even nicer than some wedding menus I've ever come across.
To simplify the menu for yous guys at the risk of getting battered by the chef and insulting his marketing prowess, I present to you my fully digested meal for Saturday.
Puff Pastry with Mushroom - OK only lah. Puff pastry was burnt at the bottom. Quite flaky though but definitely not a fantastic starter. Would have preferred some ice cold fresh oyster shooters with vodka and tabasco. 5/10
Zuppa di... it was some tomatoey soup. Light and zesty with soft veggies for some texture. 7/10
Risotto with Porcini mushrooms - Well done. Creamy, with the rice cooked just right with a little bite to it. Porcini mushrooms added to the texture. Bits of parmesan in the mix made every spoonful a delight. Had 3 additional spoonfuls plated to me by Aunty XX seated next to me. 7.5/10
Salmon with creamed potatoes - It's real easy to muck up a dish as simple as this. You need a really fresh catch to make this work. Simply seasoned with some sea salt and chopped herbs served on a mound of creamy mash. 9/10
Roast rack of lamb - I tell you what it gets better with the lamb. Cooked till it's just exhibiting a nice hue of magenta/pink with a beautiful layer of fat in between the meat. Light drizzle of demiglace at the side. One of the best lambs I have ever tasted. Honest to goodness. 9/10
Tiramisu - A little too rich for my liking to finish off the meal. Plenty of mascarpone oozing from the front of the slice. Not too sweet. Didn't do it for me but I'd give 6/10
We had 3 obscenely expensive choices of alcohol to wash it all down with that evening. Actually there were 4 but being late, I wasn't offered the single malt whisky of scottish origin in a nice, brown box.
Champagne - Moet et Chandon 1988 Vintage Dom Perignon. Rated 93 by Wine Spectator.
Wine number #1 - Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1989. Bordeaux blend. Rated 90 by Robert Parker and 98 by Wine Spectator. Only had a glass of this one. Didn't like it.
Wine number #2 - Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1988 magnum sized bottle. Bordeaux blend. Rated 90 by Wine Spectator and 94 by Robert Parker. Washed down 3 glasses of this. Heh heh.
There was another lovely delicate white. Fantastic bouquet and very very drinkable. I forgot the label but I need to know that one because I want to drink it again.
The wines alone could pay for 6.5 months worth of groceries based on an average of $100 a week.
In the end, the wife had to drive me home. I mean we both consumed copious amounts of alcohol that evening (she at the wedding, me at the party) but she holds her drinks so much better than I do!
So there you have it, good food, great wine and excellent company... I think I learned more about the mechanics of the good life in 2 hours than I'll ever learn for the rest of the year. You know plenty of us aspire to live the good life.. live in a nice posh home, drive a fancy automobile, eat at the swankiest places... I just think the most important things are godliness and contentment because without those, your Porsche would become just "another toy" in your garage.
I look forward to more value for money wines, porridge, salted fish and beansprouts and homemade espresso.
Ciao.
No comments:
Post a Comment