Mr & MrS TaN..ThE FiRsT sTeP..

Hihi! this is Pijjie! but the rest of the post is Dad Dad write one..cos' Dad Dad say tat today is a specialspecial occasion..so he wanna note it down so tat he and Mum Mum will remember it forever and forever! so me let him write lor..since me never go and eat with them today also..they say today is they-two-people day! =(

7.12pm: Arrival at The Cliff, more than 30 minutes behind schedule cos' Dearie had to finish some urgent last minute stuff in school. Recce of surroundings begin. Ok, enough space around the table, for the potentially embarrassing moment later (what if she says NO???) But hungry, so ordered food first. Rather impressed that instead of the usual butter, The Cliff provides olive oil and a Mediterranean spice (curry powder-like) instead. Served in a cute mini-platter as well!

7.17pm: Dearie and I go to take some photos, against the lovely backdrop of The Cliff. The place is really nice! If only we had managed to get a seat at the veranda! Nevermind..our table is good too! Back to our table for the bread. Three choices of bread available. Dearie has the French baguette, which is rather hard when cold, but goes well with the condiments.

Still 7.17pm: I choose the ciabatta, which I like a lot. Reminds me of a breadish strudel, and I like the floury bits on it as well. But Dearie doesn't like it; so she had another mini-baguette, while I went for another ciabatta. Really hungry liao!

7.33pm: Our complimentary amuse brouche is served - a foamy onion soup, served in a small cup. Interesting. Tastes really good as well, like an onion cappucino. Tastes yummy with bread as well! A good start to the meal..

7.40pm: Ok ok..the olive oil and spice combi sucks. We ask for butter instead. Nope, The Cliff doesn't have ordinary butter. They only have homemade French butter - seaweed butter or smoked butter. Both taste good, but I really love the seaweed one. So special; I've never seen this anywhere else before..

7.41pm: We admire the lovely view from The Cliff, as we enjoy our bread. We watch the sunset..

7.42pm: Remember the butter? The Cliff doesn't have ordinary ice water as well. They only have jasmine-infused ice water. Yup, those are jasmine flowers inside. The water is refreshing and nicely scented. I look at Dearie's watch. Hmmm..the timing seems perfect. Should be darker and more romantic by the time I actually propose..

7.52pm: It's getting dark..but our appetisers are finally here! I had the Seared Foie Gras (Spring roll of duck confit with grappa marinated grapes and grape froth) ($29). The foie gras was melt-in-the-mouth, but it was a BIT bitter. I was ok with it, but Dearie didn't like it; so I ate most of it anyway. The spring roll with duck confit was good! Crispy to the bite, and the duck was delicious! But must not be distracted from my mission!

7.53pm: Dearie's Tasting of Oysters ($27) is here! She chose (1) Fresh shucked with cucumber jelly and marinated watermelon, (2) Deep fried with polenta crust, tomato marmalade and remoulade, (3) Baked with wild mushroom friscasse and foie gras hollandaise, and (4) Bacon wrapped with baby spinach and crab on brioche. We liked (3), but the rest were ok only. No doubts about the freshness of the oysters though! =)

8.15pm: Talk talk talk..but my eye is always on the clock, getting ready. My main course is finally here. On Mr Danny's recommendation, I had the Oven Baked Black Cod (Broccoli puree, pancetta, broccoli stems and candied shallots) ($40). The cod was amazing. The skin was crispy as can be, and the serving of cod was really generous. The black cod simply slid down my throat. The broccoli puree was interesting too; not as disgusting as I thought. Shared half the cod with Dearie cos' she didn't like hers so much..which was......

8.16pm: Char-Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna (Wild mushroom and ratte potato ragout with sauce bordelaise) ($37). Yup, it was a really thick tuna steak, done medium-rare. But it was too dry for our liking. Somewhat better with the accompaniments, but still not that enjoyable. A bad choice. Should have gone for the risotto instead.. =p

We finished our fishies (Sorry Nemo!) at around 8.40pm. Time for me to swing into action! I excuse myself, saying that I needed to go to the toilet. Asked for Rahul, the Manager of The Cliff, who was supposed to assist me. Told him to "serve" my gift for Dearie and the ring on a platter. Meanwhile, I'd run over to the car to get the flowers which I had gotten for Dearie. Operation in full swing!!!

8.50pm: The platter is served, along with my flowers! 108 roses = Will you marry me? and Red + White = Together in Unity. But major hiccup! Mr Danny serves the desserts as I give Dearie the flowers, and as the platter is placed on the table. Too many things happening at the same time, and Dearie is confused! Mr Danny starts to explain about the dessert, which is NOT what I want happening at the moment. Finally, after a few seconds (which seemed like an eternity), he left us alone. Ok, it's show time! Dearie opens the platter, sees the gift and ring (actually the box lar, but quite obvious!). On bended knee, I ask her,

(Dearie, this is for you; in case you didn't hear me properly the first time round, amidst all the excitement and dessert explanations!)

Sweetie, I know that I am not a perfect person. And there is definitely someone out there better than me, in every possible way. But Dearie, what I can promise you is that no one will ever love you more than I do. And I also promise you, that together, we can build the most beautiful future together - our own home, our own life, our own family, our own children. All I ask is for the chance to prove that I love you. Will you marry me?

Dearie says Yes! Yay! Mission accomplished! =)

9.00pm: Ok..we FINALLY have our desserts! Dearie didn't like her Sticky Date Pudding Souffle (Dates braised in toffee sauce and roasted apple beignet) ($17). She thought it'd be like the one at Marmalade Pantry/Brown Sugar, but this was a souffle! =( So she ate a bit only, while I "helped" her finish it up while she read her gift..a Little Miss Perfect book! Handmade (Sorry for the ugly illustrations!) =)

9.01pm: While Dearie was reading the book, I was wolfing down my own dessert as well - Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake (Banana brulee, cointreau ice cream and banana sabayon) ($16). I like the crispy candied banana slices, but the chocolate is a bit too bitter for my liking. Oh well, Dearie is still busy with the book. So I gobble everything down anyway. Hehehe..

9.15pm: Mr Rahul kindly offers to move us to the comfy couch seats by the edge of The Cliff, where we could enjoy the beautiful view with our cappuccino and camomile tea. Relatives and close friends are informed of the happy events of the night, with congratulations and all coming in. Dearie and I talk about buying diamond rings, buying flats, wedding dinners, people to invite, ROM and everything else. I must be the most blessed man in the world.

10.55pm: Time to set off! Operation has been a major success, and target's heart has been captured. Target is officially NO LONGER AVAILABLE, as evident from the Celestial on her finger. Bling bling.

Mission accomplished.