#steveexplores2024

Day 4 of my Tokyo getaway started bright and early to pray for health and happiness for my family and friends at Asakusa.

After a morning filled with crowds, it was time to escape to Ginza for my favorite ramen in the city: Tsukemen at Tsujita. Although I had to queue for an hour for the ramen, it was definitely worth it as the chewy noodles paired perfectly with the thick flavorful broth.

Next stop: Tea break while walking to Tokyo station.

When I finally arrived at Tokyo Station, it was almost time for dinner which left me with a bit of time to take a quick stroll around the various hobby stores in the area.

While exploring the stores, I came across a unique Oden restaurant which became my dinner spot. Mizutaki Oden Shamon offers a wide selection of oden from chicken and fish cakes to daikon and tofu. I would highly recommend a visit if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Time flies and its been 3 years since my last visit to Cloudstreet. Back then, I was just turning 41 and being thankful for meeting the love of my life during the pandemic lockdown. Fast forward to today, I am happily married and navigating parenthood with the best partner that I could ever hope for.

Stepping into the restaurant feels surreal as it is both familiar and distant at the same time, a déjà vu feeling in a revamped environment with similar vibes accompanied by the same dining companion.

Any reservations I had is quickly blown away by a bubbly warm reception and a menu that parallels my last visit in 2021.

Below is a quick look at the menu for the night:

The night started strongly with a couple of appetizing bites followed by a trio of delectable starters that showcase the growth of the chef and restaurant, elevating and refining every single aspect presented on the plate, and exemplifying the age old advice of "less is more".

With an impressive start, we quickly moved on to the main event with dishes ranging from Japanese Saba and Murray Cod to their signature Liquorice Bread and Tochigi A4 Wagyu. Flawless presentation with clean, refined flavor notes that speaks volumes of the depth of the team helmed by Chef Rishi.

At the end of a satisfying line-up of mains, we moved upstairs to Level 2 for a trio of desserts and snacks to end the night.

Overall, I loved the dining experience at Cloudstreet, with the restaurant entering my personal list of top 5 culinary marvels in Singapore that I would visit again and again. The entire menu shows a lot more refinement along with measured restraint and flair from Chef Rishi, and I am excited to see how the restaurant continues to evolve in years to come.

Big thank you to the entire Cloudstreet team for making my wedding anniversary extra special with one of the most memorable and delicious meals that I enjoyed in 2024.

Just one more day before I leave Tokyo so I decided to explore the various cafes in Omotesando on a rainy weekend.

My first pitstop is Higuma Doughnuts × Coffee Wrights which serves freshly made doughnuts with a great cup of espresso.

And just a few steps away is the renowned Koffee Mameya where fans travel around the world to sample its brews.

After two cups of delicious coffee, I have reached my limit and slowly made my way back to Shibuya Scramble Square for a delicious late lunch at Sushi Kakida. The menu is simple, the prices are reasonable, and the quality of the sushi is fantastic.

With lots to pack before returning to Singapore, an early dinner made sense and it was back to Shabu Shabu at Tsukada in Shibuya Scramble Square.

And with that, I bid farewell to Tokyo. The visit was short but the experiences were truly memorable. Till next time!

Time flies and its almost the half way mark of my Autumn getaway in Tokyo. I decided to spend a day in Kawagoe, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After arriving in Kawagoe, my first order of business is to visit the local Starbucks which has a unique look and feel unlike others in the city.

Lunch time involves sampling one of the best Oyakodon at Ohana which has great balance and flavors in a deceptively simple dish.

I have always enjoyed strolling along the streets of Kawagoe, admiring its unique architecture that transports visitors to a different space and time.

To end the day, its a special visit to Ogakiku, an unagi restaurant with over 200 years of history. Needless to say, the experience was absolutely amazing and its a visit that needs to be undertaken by all unagi lovers.

Start of Day 2 in Tokyo began with visiting one of the best onigiri store in the city: Onigiri Bongo. The store opens at 9am and will have a never ending queue of hungry diners till it closes at night.

Diners can choose from over 50 types of onigiri with lots of customization options to create your favorite kind of rice ball.

I loved it so much that it became my breakfast spot each morning until I left Tokyo.

After filling up my belly, it was off to Toyosu to relax with a good dip in the onsen at Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club.

As the day is ending, it was time for a quick dinner at Ikebukuro Sunshine City with a unique nabe experience at Hakata Motsunabe Yamaya featuring a Mentaiko dinner menu.

After a day of feasting, I took a short stroll and had a surprise encounter with some wild Pokemon.

Since I missed my opportunity to visit Tokyo in March due to a sudden bout of fever, I had to grab my chance to explore Tokyo before the end of 2024. What better time to do so than in Autumn with a welcoming weather that is not too cold, not too hot, not too wet and not too dry.

First stop of the day is lunch at my favorite pitstop for udon with a view: TsuruTonTan UDON NOODLE Brasserie at Shibuya Scramble Square. With a wide range of springy udon cooked in a variety of styles, there is bound to be something for everyone.

After lunch, its time to explore the neighborhood to visit some of its iconic residents such as Mario and Mewtwo while indulging in tea breaks in-between.

As day turns to night, the time for dinner queues has arrived and I found myself at Shibuya Scramble to enjoy one of the best Shabu Shabu experience at Tsukada.

Diners can choose between Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, and each course includes a starter, meat and vegetables, and a dessert.

The ingredients were fresh, the broth was liquid gold, and the service was impeccable. Truly a great way to end a wonderful first day of Tokyo exploration.

During our short stay at San Domenico Palace, we managed to briefly explore the beautiful tranquil town located close to the hotel.

After three weeks in Europe, we are finally at our last destination: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel. This hotel is formerly a 14th century convent and is awarded “Best Hotel” in the Legends, Luminaries, and Leaders Best of the Best category at the 2023 Virtuoso Travel Awards.

The hotel truly lives up to its title as the best hotel with its breathtaking views, beautiful interior, and luxurious amenities and facilities.

San Domenico Palace, Taormina is the perfect final pitstop to celebrate my family's three week European adventure spanning 7 cities across 2 countries. We spent a lot of time by the pool and in the restaurants, dining and relaxing as we prepare to return back home in time to start school for our little girl.

Here's a quick glimpse at all of the delicious culinary creations at San Domenico Palace, Taormina: