29+?

Venturing out of our comfortable zone takes a bit of courage and planning. While we used to try out new restaurant every month in the past, we have gradually slowed down to once every two or three months unless for the big guys coming into town.

For my "29+?"-th birthday, Little Prince had to think out of the box, and so made plans to try out Aspasia, not only as an annual celebration of growing old, but also an adventure for both of us to get out of our usual choice. The route through the hotel lobby is still "in process," but the restaurant's decoration has completed and it is nice and cozy. Food menu has a good balance, which gives enough choices for almost everyone. The wine menu was a bit disappointing, especially with the lack of half-bottle. The tasting menu offers the ingredients in season, so no decisions need to be made, tasting menu that is.

After the scallops, the baby squid soup, and the squid-ink pasta (which was the best!), I already felt I had the best deal in town. Even though I am not a seafood person, the freshness of the ingredients, while being served right out of the pan, just made them perfect. Unfortunately, we both went for Wagyu beef for our main where there was no surprise. In hindsight, we should have picked sea bass, considering how well Chef Roland Schuller has handled all the seafood dishes. (As the Chinese saying goes, "rice always smell better at the other table.") Dessert provided Little Prince with an inspiration for a new flavor for his next season's homemade ice-cream, will see if he could make them taste anything like what the chef has demonstrated.

I was so full after dinner that I could not even finish my cappuccino, but it is certainly worth an honorable mention because of the smooth and creamy foam. The other item that deserves an honorable mention is the bread -- fresh out of oven, crunchy outside with soft and warm inside.

Though I didn't have to pay, the bill was more than reasonable. Definitely a steal in town. Have to go again soon before they raise their price.