TOMO Izakaya (居酒屋)

Salmon Teriyaki Don, with Salad Appetizers and Miso ($15++)

In the cozy interior of the Tomo Izakaya restaurant, it was like dining with friends under the Sakura tree. You could take this literally, as the award winning interior decor really includes an artificial Sakura tree that branches across the ceiling of the dining hall.

If this is not a lunch but an after-work dinner, the vibes shall prompt you to order that sakes, shochus or beer.

Bento Set B, include Tofu Avocado Salad and Miso soup ($15++)

Food wise, we were impressed and satisfied. All individual sets seem to be designed to provide varying tastes within the one order. Like a cheap version of Omakase meal, we state our mains and were then surprised with small tantalizing side dishes served together.

It's no wonder the restaurant survives its many years in business at the Clarke Quay. And we had benefited from today's meal at just halved the price with Bigdeal.sg/ Set-Lunch-1For1-Clarke-Quay.

Sashimi - Tuna, Salmon

Grilled Silver Baits Fishcake

Stir Fried Potato & Bacon with Yuzu Pepper sauce

Sony Xperia J

Sony Xperia J, black ($398)

It is time. Many of us, the first generation smartphone users had came to realize the short life span of smartphones - about a year or 2. So instead of getting another top range model, i opted for a mid range. In any case, many low-end product is getting better.

I could well acknowledge the compact and handy feel of the Sony Xperia J after my 1 year with the bulkier Samsung Note. The reduction from a 5.3 to a 4 inch screen does not hurt one bit. It is impressive how the Sony Bravia engine easily generates a display that matches up to Samsung HD Super Amoled. And for a sound expert like Sony, the sound quality does not disappoint.

The interface and settings option of these new series of Android phones are innovative and very user friendly. All at a mid range pricing.

For a downgrader, the 512 MB and 1 GHz processor may be noticeable slacking to support a Android with demanding Apps but if you are just a decent user, everything works real fine. Plus, i am enjoying the beauty of this phone to be critical about its machine. Life needn't moves too fast, yeah?

紅犀鸟, Red Hornbill Kolo Mee

Sarawak Kolo Mee ($4)

This Malaysian noodle stall in the kopitiam at Blk 205 Bedok North St.1 maybe proving its authenticity with tall piles of empty bowls, and many table of customers, all busy tucking into their big pink bowl. Not just for the Kolo Mee, also the Black Sauce Noodle ($4) and the very popular Sarawak Laksa ($4.50).

But maybe next time. We had already ordered, since reading about their Kolo Noodle from the ST Life! section.

You'll immediately notice their very substantial serving of chewy noodle, and after mixing all well in the savory sauce, this has to be our saltiest bowl of Kolo mee. Maybe that's exactly how Malaysian like their noodle? You should appreciate them if you are of a heavier taste buds. I find them rather tasty too, albeit the saltiness.

Oh, and the stall don't do chili sauce to go with their noodles, unlike other places we had patronised. Just pickled green and red chilies that are zero spicy. This well humbled a chili eater, but it is how Sarawak noodle should be, truly.

Brewbaker's Kitchen & Bar

Grilled Whole Chicken Leg with Napoletana Sauce ($9.50++)

The JP Pepperdine celebrates opening of several new outlets with 1-for-1 dining voucher this week. At Brewbakers, you purchase 1 set lunch of grilled chicken whole leg and get another free. Great value.

Service and food at the restaurant are similar to their popular Jack's Place - a meal that starts with warm creamy soup of the day, garlic bread. And ended with good coffee with evaporated milk and their own baked dessert.

Our mains of grilled chicken is a melt-in-the-mouth topped with Napoletana sauce of molten cheese. This is quite a delight. The sides of potato was caramelized with onions while i had wished the salad to be dressed with vinaigrette instead of sweet thousand island sauce.

If you have this discount voucher from the Monday ST paper, go cash it in by this Sunday. Else, at least we had tried and know Brewbakers serves a reliable fare.

Remy Martin VSOP - Fine Champagne Cognac

A vibrant golden liquid with an equally striking red bottle underlined French, Remy's attempts to rejuvenate its centuries old image.

The bottle was launched in Nov 2012 and sold only at exclusive hotspots. Friend bought it from the Singapore Changi Airport when he traveled, then sharing it at today's annual gathering. And it sure bought about some interests and hoo-ha as everyone was made to drink the 40% vol. Cognac!

Having aroma of the usual cognac, it comes with the familiar hot and tongue biting sensation. Bitter tasting but clearly on a sweet note. The sweetness goes a long way for us ladies who don't usually handle the brandy. We like this one. 

Remy Martin Jolin Tsai VSOP Limited Edition Cognac, 1L (approx. US$40)

French Cellars Cabernet Merlot 2011

The Private Collection - French Cellars Cabernet Merlot, vol. 13.5% ($19.95)

Ric doesn't fancy the Merlot grapes. So do i, after this bottle of Cabernet-Merlot blend, made in France by winemakers trained in Australia.

Deep red, quite fruity and very little spicy. I find it especially boring and dull. 'Flat' might be the word. Pairing it with red meat helps to finish the bottle as i gulped, ignoring the weak 13.5% vol. But i guess if you are one who like Merlot, this bottle should be good?