Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Restaurant Review: 5 Senses

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When you saw the title of the post, you may have wondered why I am posting review after review and no recipes. Am I changing this blog from a recipe blog to a restaurant review blog? The answer is NO!

If you follow me on my Facebook page, you probably know I was feeling a little under the weather for a few weeks, and the truth is that I am still not feeling myself. I did visit the doctor, and there is nothing to worry about - thank God! But I haven't had the energy to do much baking or cooking and I've been doing only what is absolutely necessary.

Thank you so much for all the messages, emails and wallposts asking how I am doing! It really makes me feel so good... Truly!

On to 5 Senses!

This was my second time at 5 senses. I must admit that my first experience was a very memorable one - but not for a very good reason. I remember going there with a big bunch of friends. I had taken my little girl along too. The food was tasty. The drinks were interesting. The service and ambiance were nice too. My only complaint was the portion-sizes. My 2 year old ate all my food! Seriously. I had like 2 bites and she ate all the rest. Now this place isn't cheap - and so I didn't want to order any more. So why was this meal so memorable? Because I left the place desperately HUNGRY! Not a good thing.

This time around, I kinda expected the same minuscule portions, but I am so, so, SO happy to tell you that I was wrong! This meal was one of the nicest I have had in a while!

Do you remember the chilly-lime drink I had at Dewberry's and how much I loved it? So, when I saw a Watermelon-Habanero Iced Tea on the menu, you know I just had to have it! This was a bold, spicy-sweet drink and I just loved it! All the other drinks seemed very nice too...
We also had some lovely focaccia (too soft and fluffy for me - I like my bread with a little bite - but still quite tasty), and some wonderful hummus (though I felt it could have been more lemon-y) and adorable baby pita bread!

The starters were really delicious - because we couldn't make up our minds, we ordered a Chef's choice platter and a Tapas platter. Everything I got to sample was delicious. Each dish was unique in flavor, the textures were spot-on, and they were absolutely perfect with their accompanying sauces/garnishes! My favorites were the smoked salmon-asparagus starter and the pork spare ribs! So yummy!
Apart from that, a friend ordered Spanakopita and the chef recommended a curry stuffed mushroom & some jalapeno fritters with a raw banana mousse and goats cheese mousse. My first experience with Spanakopita was not good, and so I really didn't expect much. I am so glad I was wrong again!
I. LOVED. EVERYTHING!

The mains were just as yummy!

The green apple and prosciutto pizza was just delicious! I loved the texture and flavors.
The ravioli was really interesting! I loved how it looked all deceptively cheesy. But guess what? It had a lovely hit of fresh, green chillies. It was not a combination I had tasted before, but I actually liked!
The pork chops were tasty, well-cooked and well-seasoned, but the stand-out for me on that plate was the side! It was a fluffy white couscous with cubes of ripe mango, cubes of semi-ripe mango and bokchoi! I had three helpings of that! Really awesome stuff!
The lamb chops were nice too, but nothing to write home about. :)

Because I am a total sucker for smoked salmon, the smoked salmon and asparagus pasta was one of my favorites! Just loved it and the combination of salmon and asparagus is just brilliant!
The only main I didn't enjoy was the lamb shank tagine. I found the flavors overwhelming and too Indian. Or maybe my palate wasn't responding well to all the spices after eating so much of non-spicy food. :)

Desserts are usually what I look forward to the most - and when I heard about the mango creme brulee, I was excited!
Sadly, that was the only let down of the day for me. In my opinion, a creme brulee needs to have that cracking sugar crust and this one had a few brown spots and no crack. It was more like a mango custard - tasty but not what I expected. It was served with a white coffee sorbet. The flavor of the sorbet was brilliant but I didn't enjoy the mango-coffee combination much.

The other dessert was a Callebaut Crostata with a Bailey's ice cream. The tart was molten and looked very appetizing, but the flavor seemed a little weak to me. Still it was chocolate, and I was in the mood for chocolate, and so I was happy to dig in. :) Definitely better than the mango dessert. The Bailey's ice cream was also a winner!
The ambiance of the restaurant is definitely worth a mention. The outdoor seating is lovely and would have been my pick if it wasn't for this awful, humid weather we've been having! The restaurant is lovely and the walls are adorned with gorgeous black-and-white pictures of some legends of cinema. Very classy! Who wouldn't want to dine with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck watching over you? :)

Overall, this was a superb meal, and I would be happy to go back again, and again, and again! And I am so happy to see the larger portion sizes!

For some delicious, creative food, head to 5 senses on KNK road! Definitely a must-try!

I'll be back soon with a recipe post! Thanks for being there for me while I've been away!:)
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22 comments:

Jill @ MadAboutMacarons said...

Marsha, so glad to hear you are feeling a bit better and no wonder after this extravaganza. What a meal  - it all looks cracking (minus the crème brûlée, lol.) Strange - been down too, but it can't be the weather as we're not in the same boat here.  Perhaps I should consult the doc and he can order this meal for me. Cheers to bigger portions and to your lovely posts!

elisabeth@foodandthrift said...

Oh, Marsha-I would love to go with you on your "quest" for the perfect bite...is what I call your superb restaurant review. Totally making me hungry, and drooling for the yummy desserts! Love the unique presentations of each and every dish! Great restaurant review. (my problem is, when we go out to eat my family just rolls their eyes even when I just take one click)...sigh!

Annalizrecipes said...

Hi Marsha!  Glad you are feeling well.  I too have been MIA for a while, moving to dwon south and all.  Anyway, great review on this restaurant.  :)

Magic of Spice said...

Glad you are feeling better :) Looks like another great place...love the sound of that ravioli! 
Hope your week is going well :)

Angie said...

Dear Marsha,

  That was a gr8 review.. The pictures made it even more interesting.. I have a suggestion to make.. I found it a bit difficult to read yr post, coz d black letters against the brown background are not very clear.. Could u plz consider changing it..

Adora said...

So sorry to hear that you are feeling a bit under the weather. Hope you feel better soon. This was a great review. I enjoyed drooling at the photos. The pizza topping sounds really interesting, I might like that. Everything else is tempting.

RichardLAnderson said...

http://goo.gl/Hbh0o

Kimby said...

No fun feeling out of sorts without an explanation.  Glad to hear you're ok, Marsha!  I read your review on an empty stomach and now I'm craving salmon and asparagus! :)  The presentations are so eye-appealing -- nice that the taste (for the most part) lived up to them.  Speaking of taste... touch... seeing... smelling... hearing (the 5 Senses) -- curious to know which aspect of your dining experience covered "hearing."  (Background music?  Crunchy food?  Playful banter with dinner partners?)  Looks like they did the other four very well!  Thanks for a great review!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

that pizza looks so delicious. I have never thought about putting apples on my pizza but I will now!

Baker Street said...

So glad to know you're feeling better Marsha! The pizza looks so delicious! :) 

Devaki@Weavethousandflavors said...

Oh what a fabulous meal and thanks for taking us along for the ride! Love your restaurant reviews and the wide array of gorgeous eats you put on display.

chow :) Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

Dinnersdishesdessert said...

Hope you feel back to yourself soon!  You always do such great, thorough reviews!

Amanda said...

how do you add the opaque layer to your photos? i've tried and tried to do it, but I can't seem to be able to do it.

Galexicupcakes said...

Marsha, so happy to hear that you are slowly recuperating and being back to your old self. This restaurant sounds really enticing.. Hope to see a new recipe from you soon...of course, when you are up to it.
Jackie

Pune Onnet said...

Lovely…arangements


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Lynne Feifer said...

I've missed you!!!  Hope you're doing ok, Marsha!!
LOVE the restaurant review - I would so enjoy going out to dinner with you!!
I've selected you for the Sunshine Award!  You can find it here:  http://365daysofbaking.blogspot.com/2012/06/smoothie-saturday-cantabananaberry.html
BIG, BUG HUGS!!!  XOXOX

Uma said...

What was the bill for this spread?

Monet said...

I always enjoy restaurant reviews. Ryan and I are about to try a new restaurant here in Austin, and this post made me excited to do my own sampling/reviewing. Thank you for sharing!

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Amazing the visit was
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Angie said...

Dear Masha, Is everything alright? I see that you haven't been active in the past 5 months. Take care.

Gourmantine C. said...

Oh dear, do get better soon! it's ridiculous how everyone around is getting ill (me included going on 3rd week). Have a good weekend!

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