Experience a Japanese take on the quintessential pairing of a piece of great steak with a good bottle of wine. Here at Old Vine, the chef serves up a cuisine style he coined “fusion teppanyaki”, which simply translates into the fact that there are no tacky spectacles or flair-filled displays around the hot plate – just elegantly prepared food from the highest caliber of ingredients.

The specialty of the house is the Ohki beef, from the Yonezawa prefecture in Japan renown for their magnificently reared cattle. The combination of cold weather and their all-grain diet yields a marbled flesh equally tender but less oily than beef from Kobe and Matsuzaka. “In Kobe the cattle drink beer and get massages, like a lazy and unhealthy man,” says Senior Partner Jiro Kinoshita. “In Yonezawa, they eat a healthy diet, but because of the cold weather, they develop beautiful layers of fat.”

Like all great meat dishes, the ones at Old Vine scream for a glass of wine. And there are plenty to choose from. The entrance is lined with bottles from various estates, all personally autographed by the winemakers themselves. As the night progresses, feel free to migrate into the bar area to continue your wine tasting with the Enomatic Wine Machines, which allow you to select tasting, half-glass, or full-glass portions from an assortment of varietals.

Back at the dining table, attentive gourmands will enjoy the tasteful additions. Dip your rustic bread into two flavors of olive oils – robust or fruity. Or opt for the A.O.C. designated Lescure salted butter. And take a sip of the Vichy Catalan sparkling water, which carries a slight saltiness to cleanse the palate and is the brand of choice by Ferran Adria for El Bulli in Spain.

Only after the entire dining experience do you realize how well the 75-year old vine that adorns the doorway of the restaurant represents the philosophy here. Oenophiles have long since heralded that the grapes from old vines produce wines of a deeper complexity, and Old Vine restaurant carries within its many layers the same je ne sais quoi.

The soothing atmosphere and gracious staff quickly convert any first comer into a regular friend, who knows that like a good bottle of wine, Old Vine will get even better with age (or in this case, multiple visits).

Old Vine

1106 Bldg. 1/F, 1-10-6 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 Japan

Tel: +81-03-5771-2439

Trapped halfway out the in door at Surin’s enVision Wine Bar I feel a bit like a character in Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy ‘Waiting for Godot.’ Like Pozzo and sidekick Lucky I’ve been warming up a barstool, woops maybe that should be winestool in anticipation of the arrival of someone who never arrived.  

Owner Steven Roberto makes way for Godot at the bar

For me this oasis of cool in the midst of what is becoming a chic bohemian neighborhood near to hotel names such as Twinpalms, Amanpuri and the Chedi is my favorite vinoteque on the island. It’s a casual neighborhood whether strolling down the road to the nearby Lemongrass House’s fantastic selection of spa products or, eats at the Sundowner Café or else watching the sun set at Catch Beach Club.

While the Clark Kent like wine guru at enVision California native Steven Roberto perhaps is more suited for the mockumentary of the spin in ‘Waiting for Guffman. ’ This is the type for place Corky St. Claire might utter “I got off that boat with nothing but a dancers belt and a tube of chapstick.”

Steven’s encyclopedia knowledge goes back to his learning years in Viticulture at the University of California – Davis, along with tenure with famed winemarker Robert Mondavi amongst others.

Life on the fault line eventually drove him abroad and in 2001 he opened a boutique wine business including wholesale to local hotels and restaurants, retail and of course in time the wine bar where I sit waiting…..

Looking for torpedos for my submarine

This place reeks of wine and caters to both this old world traditionalist, new world junkies…be it by the glass, bottle or case. Vertical tastings can be arranged and the vibe, yes that all important missing ingredient is as warming as a large lovely Cabernet.

Phuket remains a crossroad of residents, escape artists, dreamers and tourists alike. It’s rare to find a junction to meet at the crux as it were, but this takes it things up a notch.

The out door manages to hit me in the face on the way out, and while there is no sign of Godot or even his people, I manage to stagger back to my waiting glass of merlot. What’s it that say in ’Sideways “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving.”  Perhaps they saw me coming.

enVision Wine Bar www.envision-phuket.co.th

2010 has been a thrilling one for Singaporeans so far, with the opening of Resorts World Sentosa – a complex entertainment centre equipped with four world-class hotels, a sprawling casino and the Universal Studios theme park.

Singapore’s first casino resort is a s$6.59 billion project that was built in a record time of under three years. The long-awaited entertainment hub is believed to be a massive boost to the country’s tourism.

The Universal Studios theme park is the one and only in the entire Southeast Asia- the biggest draw for many visitors including myself. Home to Asia’s largest Grand Ballrooms, the integrated resort has plenty to offer – celebrity chef restaurants, designer boutiques and a sprawling shopping strip FestiveWalk.

For a cushy sleep, upscale travellers wouldn’t be disappointed by the range of hotel options available. Four plus and exclusive hotels are located within the resort grounds: Crockford Towers, Hard Rock Hotel, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel. In the later phase, two more hotels – the Marine Life Park and Maritime Experiential Museum will be added.

Unfortunately, the Singaporean government has imposed safety measures, with a  S$100 entrance fee for Singaporeans and permanent residents and banning anyone declared bankrupt from the casinos . With the pricey entrance, looks like only the afluent ones will be knocking on its doors.

Built on the Sentosa Island, the resort is easily accessible from the mainland by car or public transport. Alongside other hip and trendy hangouts such as Cafe del Mar, the resort represents brand new Asia and all it has to offer.

Photo credits: www.rwsentosa.com