Kazumi Japanese Cuisine - Part 2

.....Continued from Kazumi Japanese Cuisine - Revisited.

This my friend is to die for. Tiger Prawns with miso seasoning. Succulent and juicy, almost out of this world!

Simply superb! One is not enough I guarantee.



It was quickly devoured. Make sure you order this! 



I love cold tofu because it is always refreshing and often tried the Taiwanese ones. The Pi Dan Tofu here is delectable. Get it and let it melt in your mouth. 

I have told you about a chef's innovation, may be even boldness and confidence and the ability to surprise - "toman" sashimi. I thought it tasted like abalone. Wow!

Yasai Tempura. 



Yakitori - I thought the grilling on the day was very good. Keep the consistency and you will have followers. Thumbs up!



Foie Gras sushi anyone? Simply awesome!! Bookmark this!

Soup in a teapot? A subtle taste and a sight to behold like making your own flower tea. An interesting presentation.

I usually like to end a Japanese meal with a small bowl of ramen or soba in a hot soup. They offered me Gyu Men. Gyu Men is Japanese Fish Noodles where the aroma and taste comes from the delicate yet subtle soup made from boiled kelp and fish bone stock fragrant with a light hint of ginger and topped with white fish fillet and fish cake. Kelp are large seaweeds (algae) and it contains almost every mineral and trace mineral necessary for human existence. It may look simple but this is quality stuff. 

Just like eating noodles. Yummy! This is a must-have!



Benjamin let me into his world of ice cream. I just wanted a sneak peek. Very good strawberry ice cream indeed with more to come? I am sure.



Do not worry about what's there to burn up your intake. They are well stocked and in standby mode.

There are many more, in fact an endless list of other favourite food items available like Shabu-Shabu, Aigamo (Smoked Duck), Wagyu Steak, Chawanmushi, Age Dashi Tofu, Fugu Mirin Boshi (Dried Puffer Fish which taste like if not better than your Bak Kua), Edamame (Japanese Green Beans), Hotate (Scallop), all kinds of sashimi and sushi, Maki and Temaki, Kurobuta Pork, Unagi, Soups, Tempura, Yakitori and other grilled foods, desserts, etc. In other words, you will be spoiled for choices. 

At Kazumi, you can have simple set meals from $15-18 or more or you can also choose from the best that money can buy. No discrimination. I like that in that it can pander to your mood. Kazumi can also serve you in your event and party needs and they will be launching "High Tea" for you soon. Watch for it.

This is Chef Hong. After speaking to Chef Hong and his management team and in trying out quite a wide range of foods, I am convinced of their passion for Japanese food and what they at Kazumi can do for you. Beautiful Harmony you can say it again - Kazumi. Oishi!! I need to come again!

Kazumi Japanese Cuisine - Revisited

I have written quite a few blockbuster blog articles. Initially I didn't keep track of the numbers so I would not know for sure what were the scores for each highly-rated ones but since I have set up the stats, I was pleasantly surprised that the article "Kazumi Japanese Restaurant" was the number one hit! I place the link here for your easy reference:

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2011/11/kazumi-japanese-restaurant.html

So it is quite simple to ascertain that people in particular Singaporeans, love to eat, love their food and love Japanese food. I would refer to it as Japanese Cuisine instead as cuisine means a characteristic style or manner of preparing food or traditional cooking practices associated to a specific culture or simply culinary art and so I revisited Kazumi for a specific purpose - to find out what is special about Kazumi. 

I needed to know the difference between angry birds and wise owls. I mean there are Japanese restaurants everywhere, so why Kazumi? I needed to explore further and beyond what I had learned the last time with the standard fare. 

Some of my more discerning friends would attest that a Japanese meal would not be complete without sake, not just sake but good, quality sake. Or a variety of other wines. Otherwise, it is just sake for sake's sake.

Not all sake should be served warm as there are varieties better suited to cooler temperatures. Warmth increases the effect of the alcohol in sake. The flavor of sake is increased by heating and the dryness of warm sake is best suited when taken with sashimi.

Chilled sake are served during warm summer months and is best served with sour or sweet foods or those with piquant taste. Only higher quality sake should be served cold.

That is a lovely bottle to keep it chilled. 

As I have previously explained "Kazumi" means "Beautiful Harmony" and food is all about selection and cooking technique. It is therefore the chef's passion to unleash the natural essence of the raw ingredients with minimal processing and seasoning to draw out the most balanced flavours that nature provides and the best flavours of each item yet retaining an overall harmony of the creation. You can delight yourselves at the sushi bar and lavish "Omakase" while sipping from a wide selection of premium Japanese beers and sake.  

Omakase means "I'll leave it to you", an expression often used at sushi restaurants to leave the selection to the chef. This is not exclusive to raw fish but also include grilling. If you order Omakase, you expect the chef to be innovative and even surprise you with his selection. It is like an artistic expression of the chef.

From the above picture, you can see clockwise from top left: Hirame (Flounder) but it is the fin portion (Engawa) sitting on the mint, Mei Kajiki (Swordfish), Gindara (Cod) yes Gindara which I have never tried before. Sake (Salmon) with Ikura (Salmon Roe) and the very interesting Uni (Sea Urchin) wrapped with Sea Bass (Suzuki). The presentation was fabulous. This is how the Gindara looks like up close. 

You dip it into a special sauce which seems similar to the sauce for Fugu (puffer fish). I must say this is very unique and what I spoke of earlier about leaving it to the chef and getting some surprises. 

Hirame (on the mint) is a special fish unlike our usual obsession with Sake (Salmon), Maguro (Tuna) and Hamachi (Yellow Tail). Of course the Suzuki-wrapped Uni was lovely. Anyone out there who eats Japanese food but doesn't like Uni?

This is the Wizard of Ooze. Wicked!

Finally the all familiar Salmon with Roe.

I can't help but notice that here they took the trouble to fill up a bowl with ice to ensure that your sashimi will remain very fresh throughout being kept at a constant temperature. This to me is attention to detail. No compromise.

Japanese premium beers like Sapporo and Asahi compliment the food well.

Karasumi (Mullet Roe) is a delicacy in Japan and also Taiwan. The raw roe is salted and sun-dried then dehydrated until the desired firmness is achieved. This is best taken with cold beer or even better - cold sake.

At this point, I have to mention that Kazumi has not forgotten the ladies. Their sparkling sake with fruit flavours are sure to delight you ladies.

 I enjoyed it and got worried as I am a man.

Kazumi has an open concept in seating arrangements which makes it airy and spacious, not confined behind walls. In Japan, even a General Manager in an office sits in an open space without a room. Singaporeans will need to learn how to get used to it. Where required, they do have rooms to serve you in or an extended one if you have a bigger group. Here's the simple yet classy decor. 

To Be Continued.....Watch This Space.....


http://gforce-guru.blogspot.com/2012/02/kazumi-japanese-cuisine-part-2.html

EPL Game Week 27

There was a time Singapore has beaten Iraq 2-0, a big upset but today we got crushed 7-1. Console yourselves, Indonesian was decimated 10-0 by Bahrain. I thought it was Badminton.

The game of the week must surely be that 5-2 Arsenal win over Tottenham. Although played at the Emirates, Arsenal's stuttering form following poor losing displays in recent weeks versus Tottenham's new found winning confidence. The fact that Spurs were leading 2-0 said it all. I was sure everyone was thinking a good thrashing awaited the Gunners in front of their own fans.

Normally, in a top match at the highest level, it is unimaginable to be able to crawl your way out of the hole trailing 2-0. Bacary Sagna scored and made it 1-2 and it was an important goal. He further capped a solid performance keeping Gareth Bale quiet. If Sagna's goal was important, van Persie's goal was a gem out of nowhere which gave the Gunners more belief as he conjured it by turning, twisting and curling it past a fully stretched Brad Friedel but if it was not down to Tomas Rosicky prompting it could have been different.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott gave a vastly contrasting performance in each half. Unsure, indecisive, lacking in confidence in the first half, he made all the wrong decisions with the ball - releasing it too early when he should have held on and passing when he should go on to beat his man but come the second half, the real animal in him was unleashed. He was unstoppable. If only he could master his control every time. Finally, to win 5-2 after going down 0-2 is something to savour. Have Arsenal turned the corner? Well, they have been poor then turned the corner with brilliant displays and repeated the cycle so often you do not know if they are coming or going.

My next poser is do the Spurs fans still love Harry as much. If he was appointed England manager and in his opening match saw England going down 2-5, then what? Life is short but memory and patience are even shorter.

Liverpool v Arsenal - Life can sometimes be cruel. You can feel as if God is testing you with one test after another and you are not in school. After that mammoth and momentous match versus Tottenham now the Gunners are facing Liverpool away. Will they cave in or pull another rabbit out of the hat? That Liverpool have to struggle to beat Cardiff on penalties will offer some hope but that was a Cup Final. My only peeve was I could not get to watch the Cup Final on Mio TV and Mio continues to suck as I have problem almost every week trying to switch it on. Anyway, Liverpool actually has one of the best defence out there and Andy Carroll can cause a few problems during set pieces and this is Arsenal's Achilles heel. Liverpool can't get to Europe on League standing but only through the cups. Arsenal has to ace this one but it will be very tight. 1-2 to the Gunners. Liverpool fans have been suffering like this boy!

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/young-liverpool-kid-pokes-himself-eye-while-celebrating-195305105.html

Blackburn v Aston Villa - Blackburn is a point behind Wolves, level with QPR and just a point above Bolton and Wigan. Who do you think among them will survive? Villa is just 7 points above Wolves and they scrapped a goalless draw at Wigan. Robbie Kean has returned to NASL so who is there to score for Villa while Yakubu has been amazing scoring 13 goals so far for lowly Blackburn. 1-1.

Man City v Bolton - I have already told you that life can be cruel. After a 3-0 bashing from Chelsea now they face the leaders. Man City can just play the same pattern then Balotelli, Aguero and Dzeko will take turns to score one each. 3-0. Why haven't anybody figure a way to stop them? 

QPR v Everton - Everton has a good rest over the week as their Merseyside Derby with Liverpool was postponed due to the League Cup Final. They should be full of energy to rain their blows even though they'll be playing at Loftus Road. Can Air Asia and Tony Fernandes save QPR? 1-2.

Stoke v Norwich - Stoke will be bolstered by their 2-0 win over Swansea. Norwich cannot be more unfortunate as they didn't deserved to lose to Man Utd. They played well and pressed Man Utd and gave them a game and even equalised with a fine goal. There was Singaporeanness to that goal. If I saw correctly it was Zak Whitbread's header which led to Grant Holt's shot past David de Gea. Zak is the son of former Singapore coach Barry and used to play for Geylang Youth while Holt have turned out for Sengkang Marine in the S-League. You go boys!! 1-1.

WBA v Chelsea - Sunderland was going great guns and they even had Arsenal beaten 2-0 in the FA Cup until they met WBA. Roy Hodgson has always been a good manager and they may give the Blues well the blues and is especially dependent on Chelsea manager AVB's decision on his lineup whether he will name a strange one. As you can see old boys Lampard and Drogba scored and gave him a result but he has been ignoring them. Will he do it again? 1-2 to Chelsea if he fields the right players and 2-2 if he doesn't.

Wigan v Swansea - Swansea does not deserve to be where they are in the table for the way they play. Losing to Stoke means despite their Swan-like grace they haven't had the  muscles. If Wigan can hold Villa they can do the same to Swansea but I believe Swansea's creativity and flowing football will sustain them to victory. 1-2.

Newcastle v Sunderland - This is a Derby, a Tyneside and Wearside local derby. Derbies can be drab affairs or filled with incidents. Both did not get good results and are showing fatigue. The Magpies threw away a 2 goal lead at St. James Park to allow Wolves a fight back to 2-2 while the Black Cats got choked and slaughtered 4-0 by the Baggies. Is the O'Neill effect wearing off? I think it will be a draw. 1-1.

Fulham v Wolves - Craven Cottage is not an easy place even for Wolves despite their gallant figh back against Newcastle and Fulham got full points away to QPR. Wolves wil lhave to produce something special if not it will be 3-2 to Fulham.

Tottenham v Man Utd - Harry Redknapp probably made only one mistake. He played two strikers against Arsenal - Adebayor and Saha. His decision seemed correct when they both scored but once Arsenal equalised and took the lead, both strikers became passive. Maybe they have underestimated the Gunners. The Gunners may have been poor against the weaker teams but they have beaten the better teams by comfortable margins but now Spurs shouldn't show too much respect to the Red Devils. No point to be conservative now. If suddenly they have a string of poor results, Harry becomes England manager easily. One man is red hot and stands in their way - David de Gea who made many outstanding saves from Norwich. How many of you thought that Giggs last crack which became the winning goal last week was "kelong"? Can Harry do a Houdini? Only Man City is the sole benefactor. They bought and loan Adebayor so that he could go score against any team except that he can't play when facing City. Play at pace and watch the Devils' counter-attack. 2-1.

A cracking weekend awaits - Liverpool v Arsenal and Tottenham v Man Utd. Woohoo!!!

Golf Scenery

Haven't you realised by now that we are all walking miracles. The fact that you can choose to golf means you should be very grateful where you are and being who you are.

With a fairway so huge with only one bunker and you will hit into the bunker. So the proper way for you should be to aim for the bunker since wherever you aim you won't get there. Where there is only one tree with a sprawling fairway and you will hit that tree even if you reminded yourself out aloud about that tree and like I have said many times, it is like driving in a desert and you crash your car into a tree. Whatever we aim for, we miss and would not get it but we make do with our hits.

Allow me to share with you that even the best professionals and top players do have their balls in the wrong places and funny moments.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/play-where-lies-mickelson-tee-shot-ends-fan-230546776.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/lee-westwood-tee-shot-finds-fan-sweater-13th-190801163.html

While you try to seek improvement, be patient and do not kill yourself if you do not play that well for the day or you have a bad score. Just enjoy the fresh air, nature, scenery and good companionship. Like waiting for a golf tournament to start.

Even a range can be beautiful.

Look out for sunset as the coconut trees sway.

Or continue dreaming of that elusive Hole-In-One!

Help your friends look out for troubles. Remind them where the spots are so that they may get there even if the water hazard is just in front. Haha.

Sometimes, you play where the pros played and you can occasionally outdo them. Go for it!

Read your line and learn about treacherous situation. Train your mind like Tiger used to in pressure putts. When you have no confidence you see only obstacles.

It is all about confidence. When you have it, all your putts look like this!

Remember the source from where you drink and do no pee on it. It is also better to be pissed off than pissed on.

Life is sometimes like that. Step one of getting across is already fraud with danger and when you clear that, other troubles are waiting for you.

Don't just visualise, dare to dream. I have dreamed of hitting an incredible drive followed by a fabulous second shot just like Tiger here. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C1s79jrG00. Then set myself up for an eagle putt. Better still, an albatross.

You have seen this on TV at least once every year.  Our trade and commerce life line.

A narrow fairway with a dogleg right. A power fade would do nicely.

The problem with dare is that when you pull it off you are a hero and you get applause all round and when you fail, it is laughter all round. Decision making - should I or shouldn't I? After a few beers, it matters not. I pulled out my 19 degrees hybrid from 180 m, hit it to the left of that tree and saw the ball faded and dropping onto the green. Will I do that again the next time and get the same result? I don't know. Give me that beer!

I believe that Man is not supposed to labour all day long and all year round. We were created superior and meant for better things. We should be golfing all the time and during your break, go fishing or vice versa.  

When you see dark clouds looming or an impending lightning threat, let God play through. Live to fight another day.

I am so grateful to friends who invited me for tournaments!

It dampens your spirit when you take a day off for golf and on the way you experience this view. I used to organise golf trips to Batam, Bintan and Johor for friends in the past at least once a month. After much planning, there were occasions when we were in the ferry and it looked like this from the ferry when we looked out. Everyone was silent, quiet.

As I have said before, look out for animal instincts. When the birds start coming out and singing, it is a good sign. Then the dogs will come out to play. Look carefully, can you see that dog.

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uaPs8sxqB0

Sometimes, the weather can kill. Be like water as Bruce Lee said. Be Indiana Jones.

To be a golfer you have to be an eternal optimist. A cloudy day does not mean it will rain on you nor does a sunny day mean it won't.

Take your bananas if you need to replenish energy and pose with the guru.

Didn't I tell you that patience is a virtue? Learn to wait and take cover.

Use a cap for your protection.

Why go to a casino when you can golf?  You can't just sit down and gamble. You have to work for your money like golf.

GPS is nice but we will get lazy and loose our instinct. Just like a salaried worker being like a domesticated animal will loose its hunting instincts of an enterpreneur.

The beauty of nature - rain pouring on the other side and in a couple of minutes you will be drenched.

I would like to thank all my sponsors over the years for the tourneys and the attire.

When you score, you can kiss that badge just like Frank Lampard does. Once, I had a birdie, not only did I punched the air with my fists. I pulled my shirt over my head and ran. If you play too many sports, you can get confused.

Long lost friends - the three amigos.

Singapore's three seasons. It is getting hot.

Hotter.

The hottest!

Time to go "on course" again.

Get the whiff of nature in your nostrils again.

I'm upgrading my camera. A friend took this shot after a second attempt.

The original was this. I was seated and by the time the shot was taken due to its lag I was up and about. Like Bruce Lee, I was just too fast.

It does not matter if you play like a pro but golf is about companionship and comradeship. You get stuck with people for 4-5 hours on the course. More if you count the before and after. Make sure they are people you like or at least people you don't dislike. You don't want to end up fighting.

Watching the sun going down on you can be therapeutic. It reminds us that what goes up must come down.

It also tells us that as we grow older and wiser we are no longer like the mid-day sun. Our energy is no longer used to dry clothes. More mellow like the setting sun.

When it rains when you are supposed to golf, do you cry or laugh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz0Sscke9z4 (Everly Bros)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uec35ppYLIc (Neil Sedaka)

Golf courses are scenic, picturesque and beautiful.

All down to nature. I believe it to be God's creation. Do you?

It is hard not to enjoy a day out at golf even if you were not on song in bringing out your "A" game. A bad golf day is still better than a good working day? "Boss, I didn't say this!" I wish to emulate this guy on the golf course. He is totally calm and unhurried even when having a beer.

There may come a day when I could bring you more great stuffs of golf courses and nature. May be I'll be a travel writer. Keep dreaming. Can't get enough? Addicted to golf?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avap91mc3ZY (Enrique Iglesias).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrTyD7rjBpw&ob=av2e (Black Eyed Peas)

Golf as in life, play as it lies.