Lazarus Island via Air Albatross

Since Lazarus Island, Kusu Island and Sisters' Island are optional destinations on Air Albatross Speedboat ride, I might as well hop on one of them to experience Island Weekend Fun. The place is like the more peaceful, idyllic version of East Coast Park. Where one can rent a bicycle or slider to roam the place, or get some drinks from the friendly and helpful shop owner stationed neat the ferry point.

There are lots of camping points around the island, and I find out from the shop owner that campers love to camp on Lazarus island due to the peaceful surroundings.

As for me, I have fun just walking around and taking photos.

Thoughts: Relaxing Time

Albatross Island Restaurant - On the Sea Dining and Speedboat Adventure

Sunset dining on board Albatross Tallship has always been a very memorable awesome experience for me. So when I found out a new way of dining on board the ship, in the afternoon m, with speedboats, I immediately sign up for it.

The experience proves to be even better than what I expected.

First of all, afternoon dining on board Albatross Tallship takes place at the lower deck, away from the sun. And the lower deck features wooden interior, plush sofas, wicker lamps, lots of windows at the sides, creating this classy, cosy atmosphere to just relax in. And there is an option to lounge in the place until 3pm, if there is no intention to island hop.

The service is so friendly and helpful. And also goes the extra mile to inform of the options (stay on ship, or hop on the speedboat to go to RWS or one of the islands) and confirm my itinerary. Patrons are also invited to the upper deck to have unblocked view of the sea.

The food is very good, full of Southeast Asian robust flavours, where the spiciness is of the right amount to excite but will not overwhelm. This experience is really one of a kind, and worth a special trip for it.

Secondly, the speedboat is quite big, has shelter and stereo system, for us riders to just enjoy the scenery, watch the waves splashing, listen to the music, all away from the sun. The speedboat speeds through the sea, lots of wind ensures, making this ride even more enjoyable.

Speedboat is going so fast that the churning sea foam forms along the sides of the boat. It feels soothing and exciting at the same time to watch the sea foam zipping by. When it starts to rain, it feels a bit like bumper ride as the speedboat rides over the slightly choppy waters. Some sea water got splashed into the boat, but it is so fun actually! I love the experience.

Pillowy soft delicious bread goes so well with the wine.

Mildly milky sweetness of fresh raw scallop is highlighted by the mild Indian spices of the Assam Ponzu and the tart freshness from the stripes of green mango. Refreshing and spicy, balanced and exciting at the same time. I’m impressed.

Creamy and meaty, the 16-Hour Braised Beef Rendang goes perfectly with spicy Tumeric rice. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the beef is very tender but still has a bit of bite that I prefer. The spiciness and starchiness of the rice cut through rich meatiness of the beef to yield a good balanced taste. For the first time, I want more rice, whose spicy taste profile injects the excitement into the taste.

After the slightly heavy Beef Rendang, it feels refreshing to enjoy the Pandan Gula Melaka Kulfi on a stick, which is like pandan ice-cream completed with caramel goodness. Vegetal floral taste of pandan becomes even better and more complex with the caramelised pineapple, brown butter curry leaf crumbs, sea salt adding the zest and complexity.

Comfy Speedboat

Setting out from Resort World Sentosa on Speedboat

Speedboat nearing to our destination: Albatross Restaurant on the sea

Back to Resort World Sentosa after my stint in Lazarus Island (optional destination)

Thoughts: Exciting Adventure!

8 Sentosa Gateway

Omakase@Stevens - Beautiful Flavours of Autumn

After a summer full of refreshing awesome surprises at Omakase@Stevens, I'm back at Omakase@Stevens to experience the new surprises Chef Kazuki Arimoto created for this autumn. And yes, this autumn is better than ever, where the beautiful, complex flavours of autumn is expressed uniquely through harmonious juxtapose of earthy, deep, uplighting, mellow and vegetal flavours. I'm amazed that this autumn dishes can showcase totally different yet still distinctive tastes.

Maitake with Prosciutto and Hollandaise amazes me on how good maitake can taste. The earthy goodness of the mushroom is lifted up to taste slightly refreshing by a touch of creamy tart yet mellow taste. This dish speaks of autumn with the soft cool breeze. The pine nuts adds the extra texture and earthy taste to make it better.

Bonito and Fourme d'Ambert, a kind of French Blue Cheese, sandwiched within Monaka, a kind of Japanese rice wafer, makes me widen my eyes in amazement at first bite. There is this amazing creamy umami resulted from the nutty, milky pungency of the French blue cheese balancing the warmness of the bonito taste. I never know bonito can taste this good, where this Japanese ingredient can actually taste French. This snack is like the best blue cheese dish I ever have.

Wagyu with Black Garlic features a lovely warm soft sweetness that lingers on the palates, with the depth added from buttery pastry taste of the shell. Fig adds a splash of refreshing element to lift up the taste. Oh so good.

Sweet Prawn with Caviar and Eggplant tastes surprisingly refreshing yet grounded at the same time. The finely chopped green apples adds a nice crunchiness to highlight the creamy sweetness from the combination of ama ebi, caviar and eggplant. An earthy umami from the ama ebi developed when contrasting with the touch of zest packed within. Absolutely love this.

Hotate, Tonburi, Horseradish, Chive, Kombu, Ayu sauce that takes a year to make and basil sauce come together to surprise me on how good and different scallop can taste. The extra vegetal, almost herbal pungency of the vegetables transforms the mild briny sweetness of the scallop into unique sweetness that I love so much. The scallop is perfectly seared to introduce the earthy taste through the seared surface. Even the cute deep fried potato balls make a difference to the taste.

Amadai topped with Dry Shiitake, Sudachi skin, chrysanthemum, myoga tastes surprisingly earthy despite being light on palates, completed with a touch of briny sweetness from the fish. Ginko Nuts do the heavy lifting here to add an unique element that make the taste more complex and amazing. This dish tastes warm and comforting at the same time. The juxtapose of crispy deep fried scales and succulent flesh is awesome, as always.

Wagyu from Osaka is super, super juicy and buttery that makes me go, “Wow!” It has the luxurious meaty sweetness, made complex and exciting by the Madeira and Red Miso.

The lovely herbal smell of parsley immediately fills the air the moment clay pot with donabe is opened. This adds a hint of freshness to the starchy, fluffy rice, briny sweet ikura and salmon, making the donabe such a hearty yet indulgent treat.

Chestnut, grated, with White Bean and Wasanbon is powdery in texture and earthy in taste. This is such an amazing and unique combination, and it totally works.

Japanese Ringo paired with Sweet Potato and Calvados yields an Apple dessert that tastes so warm, earthy and delicious.

The petite fours in form of Yananashi pear and Persimmon that tastes so sweet, refreshing and are full of floral aroma. The plum wine gummy and dark chocolate are winner as usual.

Thoughts: Mellow Deep Beautiful Flavours

30 Stevens Road #01-03