It was my birthday in April, and I feel so blessed to have spent it and celebrated it many times over with family and friends. When my nearest and dearest take the time to plan surprises, buy cakes, presents or just find time amidst the bustle of their lives to spend a few special moments with me, these are times that I truly treasure.

Before I get all sappy as I sometimes do…hey. The delectable feasting sessions that came along with all the celebrations weren’t half bad as well!

In the next few posts, I’ll give you a little peek as to some of what went down…or in (the tummy!).

Celebratory lunch at Dozo! We started off with a refreshing drink to clear the palate.

The next course featured smoked salmon, scallop (it’s the one in the centre that covered in froth) and foie gras. I’m rather picky about my foie gras, but this one was done just right. I think it was also the very delicate (read: small) portion that kept it from being jelak, and whetted my appetite for more.

Soft shell crab next. Not bad; batter was nice and light, but nothing terribly outstanding.

Lobster bisque! This was really good. Served in a little cup, I was encouraged to sip it, like one would coffee. Cute. Too bad I wiped it out real quick though – I like to savour my food slowly!

Beef. This was cooked on a sizzling plate, on a special kind of leaf. It was fatty and flavourful.

And cod! My absolute favourite kind of “meat”. Was pan-fried just right so that it didn’t lose it’s natural juicy texture. The savoury rice on the side was great for sopping up the creamy sauce. Delish.

A refreshing fruity tea was served last – there were a few varieties to choose from, both hot and cold, and I was recommended this “ladies’ choice” by the very helpful wait staff. Light and refreshing. Of course, let’s not forget dessert – a warm chocolate cake, a little slice of marble cheesecake, and a little birthday surprise. =) Thank you, dear friends.

Another group of friends organised dinner at Cugini for both of us birthday girls. This has the best aglio oli, in my opinion. It’s done Sardinian style, which means don’t order it expecting the usual alio olio; and don’t order it if you don’t like seafood and a strong taste of the sea. It’s done less oily, and just a touch less dry; tossed with shrimps and mullet roe. Being a huge seafood fan, I especially loved the addition of the fish roe which gave the already tasty dish an added flavour. It was also done really al dente – perfect! No pictures of the food though. Too busy eating!

I love how the other sweet sixteen-er wanted to go to the convenience store after dinner and was asked not to; how in fact no one was allowed to go for a break outside after dinner, while I innocently said, “go ahead, we’ll be fine here”, and W agreed as she’d arrived even later than me, and was not in on the plan as well! Thank you, you crazy lot. For these and all other fun times. Hello fishing/snowboarding/wakeboarding/go-karting – will someone please take the initiative? Heh.

More to come!

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