It had been ages since my hubby and I have been on a romantic dinner date, just the two of us. Why, I think it should be over two and a half years now, i.e. since Ethan came into our lives. It’s not that we don’t want to, but it’s not very romantic to run around after an overactive toddler during dinner, now is it?
So anyway, that was why I jumped at the chance when my hubby’s department had a celebration dinner last Wednesday. It wasn’t simply just ANY celebration, it was held at 1885 in the E&O hotel. A fine dining experience it was, but of course it came with a price … we had to leave Ethan with the baby sitter for a few hours.
But still, this gave my hubby and I the opportunity to dress up and enjoy the evening together. Well, it wasn’t just the two of us ONLY though, because there were OTHER people around too, but still, it was a nice perfect evening of pampering.
It started with a cocktail session on the conservatory by the sea, which evoked memories of a similar cocktail session we had preceding our wedding reception at the E&O about 4 years back. Of course, it was less hazy then. Anyways, this time round, we had fruit punch and some kacang puteh appetizer, although I would have thought caviar would be more suitable for a fine dining kind of treat 😛
We were placed in a table of ten, complete with elegant cutlery and table decorations, and our table was right beside the wine cabinet (although this does not mean we can help ourselves to the bottles there). Here’s the menu we had. Our entrées had already been pre-ordered, in order to save time. The lighting in the fine dining restaurant was a romantic amber hue, and it had chandeliers on the ceiling. There was even a pianist playing soothing jazzy tunes throughout that evening.
I hope they fed the pianist before he started playing!
First up was the Roma Tomato and Basil Essence soup, which had one piece of sui-kao (chicken dumpling) in it. Frankly speaking, the soup didn’t look too appetizing and I was right. It tasted like very diluted ABC soup, minus the homemade factor. And honestly, I would have expected much more from the 1885.
We waited for close to an HOUR before our entrées arrived, and yes, by that time, we were all starving (and praying that the entrées had better be good) 😛
Here’s the filet mignon I ordered. Medium. I normally prefer the rib-eye steaks, but since that wasn’t on the menu, and I was craving for steak, this would have to do. And I was NOT disappointed at all. I am very particular about my steak being EXACTLY medium, and NOT well done, so the first slice I made through it, I knew I was in for a treat. The steak was perfectly done, tender and had so much flavour, I was actually sorry when I finished it 🙁
My hubby ordered the cod fillet with oriental noodles. Our intention was to share a bit of each of our food, so we could have some variety. The cilantro berry sauce that the cod came with was excellent and went really well with the noodles. The cod was all right, I suppose, although my hubby loved it to bits. I, on the other hand, preferred my steak. YUM. Maybe it was the taste of the steak that drowned out the taste of the cod. For me, at least.
Dessert was a mini piece of crème brûlée with a slice of banana tart. Very good stuff. I was glad that our table had an absentee, so I hijacked the absentee’s crème brûlée too. I couldn’t taste the glazed sugar coating of the crème brûlée though, but I didn’t really mind.
The evening would have been made lovelier if we had won one of the prizes (like the MacBook or the Nintendo Wii) in the lucky draw, but still, this would be one of the many many dates I would cherish for a long long time 🙂
Little Miracles
Our Journey of Love
Ahhh…so nice to hear of one having a good time with her spouse .. without the yanking of sleeve and the “momma! momma!”. ha ha
The Giddy Tigress says: Sounds like you speak from experience! *wink*
Wow a macBook for lucky draw. How come our dept don’t have anything like this?
The Giddy Tigress says: Dunno – I’m still waiting….
That’s a lovely photo of the two of you.
The Giddy Tigress says: Thanks Jemima!
Those are some lovely photos especially the first one 🙂 It sounds like you both had a wonderful time and a romantic date to boot!
The Giddy Tigress says: Thanks PB! We did have a good time, and it was certainly a wonderful night of memories 🙂
Wow… you actually managed to take photos of the food at your hubby’s departmental dinner? *salute* Hehe.
The Giddy Tigress says: Why not? Hehe…almost everyone knows I am a blogger, besides I didn’t take pictures of other people’s food ma. Of course, the photo of the pianist was taken by Pete la.
Awww… So romantic! Would have been more romantic if the table were just for the both of you! 🙂 You two looked absolutely lovely together. And the cod fish looked delicious! I must try at this restaurant some day.. 🙂
The Giddy Tigress says: Great restaurant with excellent ambience for a romantic night out.
Yes don’t remind me about the romantic night outs without having to wipe toddler’s drool. By the way, you looked like a real babe!
The Giddy Tigress says: Thanks darling! Hehe…
ah..romantic dinner..when am i gonna have that leh??
The Giddy Tigress says: You can even have one right in the comfort of your own home 🙂
Very lovely photo of you two. 🙂
The Giddy Tigress says: Thanks cc, for the compliment! 🙂
yumm!! makes me crave for super good food now!! i’ll be attending a red-carpet event (gala dinner) end of this month. 😀 It costs AUD 130 per person, so hopefully we get some good food. I got it for free because I am their VIP and the red carpet was set out for me! 😀 Because I won one of their three awards.
The Giddy Tigress says: You lucky fella! Looking forward to good food photos and more drooling!
hungry!~
The Giddy Tigress says: Haha….yes, the food tasted fabulous!
wow you two look very good… so does the food. I should go to E&O for dinner the next time I’m in Penang lah!
The Giddy Tigress says: Yes, let me know if you are ever in Penang!
Yummy 🙂 I’m really impressed at how you managed to take the photo of the menu at a table of 10! 😉 Hehe…
The Giddy Tigress says: Want me to show you? 😛
Oooo…. fine dining! How wonderful to have a nice dinner with hubby. 🙂 er… you ate too much creme brulee! I stayed in E&O once when I was in Penang for a holiday. That was almost 2 decades ago! haha….
The Giddy Tigress says: Not too much creme brulee la!!! Not enough!! Those were just MINI ones, remember? Oh, if you ever stop by Penang again, you should stay at the E&O again! They’ve refurbished the place, but it still has its old world charm 🙂
Wowee!! Wonderful!! *salivates at lucky draw prize*
The Giddy Tigress says: *sigh* unfortunately we didn’t win, otherwise, you can salivate at pictures of the prize on my blog too. *sigh*
ah a lovely dinner! but the portions look too little..
The Giddy Tigress says: Ahhh…that’s why they call it *fine* dining. Geddit? teehee.
romantic.. *floats away*
The Giddy Tigress says: Floated back to earth already ah?
wahhhh! looks yummy wor… and E&O! wat a perfect setting….
The Giddy Tigress says: Yes, everything was perfect….except never win lucky draw prize 😛
the necklace looks perfect for ur v-neck black dress.
and oh the banana slice looks yummy … as yummy as ur apple pie I remembered a few yrs back ; )
The Giddy Tigress says: Thanks…guess what? That necklace was borrowed from my Mom 🙂 And I am surprised you still remember my apple tart. I haven’t made that in ages!!!
pink crayon doesn’t come out right on paper……..often too light – that’s why! 🙂 Actually, I’m more of a fushia gal.
The Giddy Tigress says: Fuschia?? That’s kinda a bold pink too, eh?
Your hubby’s company has great taste and style.
Most companies now don’t bother… it’ll just be standard chinese dinner if you are lucky to even have a dinner.
The Giddy Tigress says: Yeah, we were surprised the company was giving us that sort of dinner too.