Initially, I didn’t want to order the potato salad ($14+) cuz it sounds so boring. But after seeing almost everyone else ordering this, I wanted it too! And I’m glad I did the “monkey see monkey order do” routine cuz I can’t remember the last time I enjoy such an ubiquitious salad so much. The dressing is sesame-based (my favourite) and the salad has a creamy yet light texture, with no mayo-overkill. Very cool and refreshing!

If you have been following this blog, you’d know that I love the combi of eel and egg so of course, I have to have my dose of unagi + tamago! Luckily I pre-ordered this cuz chef only makes 2 servings per day. And when the couple next to me saw my plate of lovingly wrapped unagi-tamago rolls ($18+), they had to have it too haha. I’m not gonna extol the virtues of this… It’s deliciously-delicious. Period.

I also pre-ordered the puri fish cheek ($40+) which, my friends, is the star of the meal. It’s so insanely soft and delicate! Kudos to the chef for grilling it so well till the meat literally just melts in the mouth. I swear, it’s really that soft. I think I exclaimed so much over this that the foodie-girlfriend just ignored me and continued savouring this in silent bliss haha.

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My first omakase experience at Nagomi was wonderful -big grin- It’s an intimate restaurant that seats 25, no shoes are allowed (I just chucked my Birkenstock in the rack by the entrance) and there’s no signboard or menu (or price). Diners go by omakase which literally means “entrusting.” It’s scary to trust someone I don’t even know, and the idea of eating whatever he feels like cooking doesn’t quite agree with my fussy-with-food nature. But my healthy sense of adventure craves for the elements of suspense and surprise, so omakase it was!

I can’t remember when’s the last time I rave about a salad. The tofu salad was great, with generous amounts of greens, avocado, tomatoes and crispy fried garlic, and the power sesame dressing made this so delicious that I’d happily eat this everyday!

Nagomi imports its fish from Japan 4 times a week so the sashimi ought to be fresher than fresh. And it was! There’s melt-in-the-mouth uni, fatty otoro (tuna belly, my favourite sashimi currently), yellowtail, silverfish, shimaaji (striped horsemackerel) and a jumbo scallop that’s ultra big and sweet.

Skinny she may be, but I totally enjoyed the kinki fish served with burdocks. Fried then simmered in a sweet soy sauce, the flavour reminded me of dried Chinese bak kwa (cuz of the umami sauce) and the white folds of meat were incredibly soft.

Who needs French fries when there’s sweet potato chips that’s a million times more addictive! Kudos to the chef for such a thin crispy batter that’s practically oil-free.

I reckon “overcooked” is not a word in the chef’s dictionary cuz he sent out another great fish, this time a grilled fleshy kama fish that’s firm yet juicy.

9 courses, 2.5 hours, unlimited happiness. Even though it’s still too early to be sure, Nagomi is a strong contender for the best Japanese meal of 2010!

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Steamed white asparagus with morel mushrooms and hollandaise sauce ($35++). Love this lots~ So tender and sweet.

Incredibly juicy and sweet Alaskan king crab leg ($115++) that’s jaw-droppingly expensive!

Oven-roasted Blue-eye cod with potato mash, mushrooms ($48++). Though competently done, this was overshadowed by the 2 excellent starters we had prior to this.

Pan fried fine apple tart “a la dragees” ($20++) that’s a tad oily, 2 delicious scoops of Havana rum-raisin ice cream and an assortment of exotic berries ($27++).

No doubt, this meal is definitely going into my “Top 10 Eats of 2010″!

Starter #1: Marinated Japanese bluefin tuna, smooth avocado marble, hearts of palm and intensely sweet cherry tomato.

This is a very ‘me’ starter cuz I like everything on the plate. And it’s most interesting cuz of the hearts of palm which I’ve never tried before. They have a very delicate flavour like artichokes and resemble thick white asparagus, sans tips.

Starter #2: Char-grilled Obsiblue prawn, al dente mushroom risotto and confit egg yolk.

This is even better than starter #1. Come on, who wouldn’t get weak at the sight of bright cheery confit egg yolk in all its wobbly glory?

Main: Main course #2: Japanese trout cooked “sous vide”, chanterelle mushrooms, spring onions

This was strong in flavours, leaning more towards the salty side of the scale. The trout was perfectly cooked but I can definitely do without the foam on top since it doesn’t really add any flavour to the dish.

Dessert: Strawberry-yuzu tiramisu, chocolate tuile, strawberry granitee.

What wins our votes is the superbly smooth and soft mascarpone cheese that’s second to none. The creamy yet light mouthfeel doesn’t taste like any other mascarpone cheese I’ve ever tried before and I even double-checked with the waitress to assure myself that I didn’t assume wrongly, haha. Minus some points for the so-subtle-it’s-almost-not-there citrus flavour though.

Loving chestnut anything and everything, Mont Blanc ($8.50+) is my favourite! No doubt, no hesitation at all. Every element was perfect: smooth chestnut puree, light whipped cream, super soft sponge and an almond tart base. Not forgetting tiny bits of sweet chopped chestnuts embedded within the cream like hidden gems. Love l.o.v.e LOVE this!

Since there’s Mont Blanc the French mountain, Kenneth decided to have a SEA mountain on his collection too. A deliberate misspelling, Kinabaru ($8+) has layers of coconut mousse, passionfruit creme and a chocolate sponge base. The heavenly sweet-tanginess of passionfruit hits you first, followed by a subtle coconut aftertaste. Very interesting!

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