DOLCE VITA....

Okay, the promised update on the amazing anniversary dinner. Both of us had to work on the actual day, but took the day before off, and then surrendered all decision making to Noel and the gang at Oriental's Dolce Vita, and my god, I wish we had done so sooner. With some conspiring by Noel (who, unfortunately, had the day off), the staff were well prepared for us - gorgeous table facing the pool side, covered with lovely roses and rose petals. The Moet was popped even before we sat down (guess no one told them about the effect champagne has on us, har), and in the spirit of the occasion, we indulged. Then came the lovely sorbet, and still-warm bread with olive oil. And then things just got better, and better. Among the starters - tuna belly with a garlic sauce and chives, salmon with quails eggs and shallots (very yum), and portobello and wild mushrooms (you getting hungry yet coz it gets better).... The fish was paired with a lovely Chardonnay, and the mushrooms with a Shiraz I think... Main courses (smaller than usual portions)were almond crusted cod (out of this planet) and pork belly with potato cakes... Of course we have cleaned off every single plate by the time we got to the pork there wasn't much place left for it!! Erm, not that it stopped us...) We couldn't resist dessert either (despite neither of us having any kind of sweet tooth). It was hard to describe, it was like rasberries covered in chocolate moose, topped with an orange foam (very science lab-meets-haute cuisine). They practically had to roll us out of there. Of course, the perfect meal was topped off with fabulous service and the perfect setting, so needless to say, we're DEFINITELY going back... Soon. Would recommend it to anyone too... Sighs, okay, now I'm hungry.... Art