Uni Heaven

Jan really really loves uni (sea urchin). So when Jan and Andy came to Perth, I purposely researched for Japanese restaurants that served uni (not many in Perth), and was so lucky to find Zen Japanese restaurant whose menu specials include 'Uni Sashimi Special'.


Gill's Beef Tataki.


My Scattered Deluxe Sushi which is essentially my favourite chirashi sushi was SOOO huge and massive.


Andy had the oyster on top which he says was really fresh and good. We ended up sharing the chirashi which was very nice.


Andy's Assorted Tempura, I don't remember whether it was good or not.


Andy also ordered an Assorted Sashimi and Jo and Jan shared a Zen Sushi which was assorted sushi. The chef ended up putting all the sushi on a boat which made me really excited because I've always wanted to have a sushi boat!


We all shared the sushi but guess who had the Uni sushi?


The star of the night, Jan's Uni Sashimi special which came in a shell, since uni is usually very expensive we were quite worried about the portion, but it was pretty generous and Jan was in uni heaven.


Dessert on the house, panna cotta. It wasn't very good panna cotta, the texture was not smooth and light, but still, it's free (^__^) so can't complain much.

Overall I think Zen was a success because the uni was good!

Jo's birthday Y(^_____^(Y

Jo's birthday falls on the 22nd April. Jan and Andy flew in late 21st, just in time to wish her happy birthday at the stroke of midnight (^___^)Y


On the day itself I had to work so I couldn't join them on their visit to the Perth zoo. But I did pack them a special picnic lunch. Hehe, Jan said afterwards that my sandwiches were like 'real sandwiches' haha.


I managed to rush home in time to stealthily intercept the birthday cupcakes delivery (only $5 delivery fee). Look how pretty the cupcakes are! We ordered them online from Velvet cupcakes and specified what we wanted the cupcakes to look like, they came out perfect!


Another look at the gorgeous cupcakes, Jan took this photo with her DSLR.


Dinner at Djimbaran Bali restaurant, the same place I had my birthday dinner, we just wanted to take advantage of it's convenient location right next to Utopia because we wanted to go for karaoke afterwards. I won't blog about the food but I still liked the grilled fish with special Djimbaran sauce best.


Jan and Andy and Jo! The birthday ballon was tied to Jo's chair the whole night and was a present from sweet Gill.

Jan and Jo.

Time to blow candles, or should I say candle. Actually it was a star shaped sparkler, very pretty but not so good in terms of making wishes and blowing. Jo was really surprised and happy about the birthday cupcakes though, it was such a good idea (Jan thought of it and found Velvet Cupcakes online). I think all future birthday cakes will pale in comparison.


The Northshore gang . Jason specially stayed an extra day so he could attend Jo's birthday dinner and Gill organised the flowers and balloons, such good friends right?


For some reason I didn't get a picture of Hads at the dinner, but here he is in Utopia, with his big cheery smile as usual.


Present opening time. Jo was very happy with her Bamboo fun drawing tablet from Jan and Andy.


Hads and I chipped in to get an I-touch for Jo. It had a really cute personal engraving at the back too (haha, giving myself credit for choosing the engraving). I like this picture because Jo looks so delighted.


Couldn't resist putting another picture of the cupcake, the cupcakes not only looked great but tasted delicious too, even Jan said it was a really really good cupcake. We had three flavours, chocolate, vanilla and red velvet (pictured above) and they were all yummy. My personal favourite was the red velvet though.


The whole birthday celebration group! It was a great birthday celebration and I think Jo was extra happy this year because Jan and Andy were here. Happy birthday Jo, hopefully next year the whole family will be here!