An Expensive D&D

It was our 2nd wedding anniversary. Hubby and I went to our most loved Japanese restaurant Tatsuya for a night of pure, unrestrained and luxurious gourmet indulgence.

Used to locate at Park Hotel (formerly Crowne Prince), it now sits snugly in Goodwood Park Hotel beside the main entrance.

We called only in time to reserve a table at the outdoor area. Yes, business has been amazingly good at this watering hole. Fortunately, that night’s weather was cool and nice. With alluring jazz songs playing softly in the background, the ambience was set just right. 

Just right for couples to hold hands, lock gaze, whisper sweet nothings while waiting for the chef to decorate their little sushis.

Then, when the food is served, you look at these miniature rice dumplings for 3 seconds, admire the art of Jap cuisine for the next 5 seconds, and start eating. Once the first piece of sushi goes into your mouth, you forget about this person sitting opposite you. All the lovey-dovey stops. The food placed before you is the only thing you live for and you’d die for.

Is it really that good? Yes, I’m afraid it is.

We started with this appetiser - Crab Meat Tofu. Cleverly blended, the tofu had a textured feel when I bit into it. I could taste the strips of crab meat amidst the tofu’s softness. The preserved egg yolk added fragrance and a creamy sensation. My tongue was particularly delighted by the juice from those bits of salmon roe, which had just the right amount of crunchiness. This was just perfect.

Then we had the beef. Two half-palm thin slices of top grade matsusaka beef from Japan cooked in aburi style - half-broiled. A little crispy on the outside and tender inside. There was some fat which lubricated the chewing in my mouth. I didn’t quite appreciate this though as I’m not a fat lover. Given that it cost $20 per slice, I thought one slice nicely suffice!

Finally, the star of the night arrived: 8 pieces of sushi specially prepared by the chef. We wouldn’t know what would be on the plate until it arrives. The chef decides. Hence, there’s always the element of sweet surprise on top of the heavenly taste.

That’s it. The chef’s sushi was heavenly. You have to eat to know how great it is.

Our spirits and mood were lifted up after the sushi, and we were hungry for more. So we ordered one more special sushi that wasn’t on the menu - Salmon Roll.

It was a maki with a tempura prawn and avocado as the inner filling, and half-broiled salmon lying on top bathed in a special sauce. With some mayonnaise, it was simply lovely.

Tatsuya is truly a place for divine cuisine. If you want to celebrate a special occasion to dine and date, it’s a good choice.

The only reason you should reserve it for really special occasions is because the heavenly food comes with a rocket price. Unless you order from the menu, otherwise if you’re looking to taste the chef’s selections – which are the ones that separate them from the other Japanese restaurants – be prepared to part with a three-figure sum. Just to give you an idea, a plate of chef’s sushi (8 pieces) alone cost $110.

The price aside, it’s a good place to please your date, as could be seen from the many couples we saw that evening. 

Oh, if you’re lucky, you get to spot some celebrities too! And who are they, are you asking? Well, the likes of Fann Wong, Christopher Lee and Tay Ping Hui. An incentive to go or not, it’s up to you!

If you’re going, bon appétit!