The Red Flower in Tonkichi Takashimaya

It's been 3 years since I last ate in Tonkichi Takashimaya, and tonight finally got a chance to go back there for dinner with my friend MJ, one of only 2 friends of mine whom Sam took an instant liking to.

Baby chair: Sam took a liking to the bright yellow cushioned chair, and kept turning back to point to the red flower design. Luckily safety belt was working fine, even though the cushion was torn in 2 places.

Entertainment: None from the restaurant. Sam was kept docile with his X'mas present of a fine red fire engine from MJ for a full 15 min. Then he broke the rescue ladder in his attempt to lower it! The poor toy only lasted 45 min from unwrapping to permanent damage, breaking all records for MJ's cousins & friends' children! What a terror Sam is!!!

Kids' menu: The restaurant has 1 kid's menu (S$9.50) - flavoured rice rolls with deep fried breaded prawn, crab stick & chicken, edamame & a Yakult. Sam as usual devoured the prawn, and this time he discovered the joys of dipping his food into tartar sauce. I had to remove the dip after he started exploring and spooned the sauce all over his rice though.

The edamame got the usual warm cry of "beans", but this time Sam didn't finish his fav snack, cos he had spread wasabi (intended for my zaru soba) over the beans. I also had to remove the wedge of lemon (meant for the fried foods) & the cherry tomato in the salad when Sam started poking it with his fork. By the end of the meal, I've removed the entire plate from Sam's reach to prevent him playing with the fresh, sweet cabbage!

Sam loved the yuzi gelato (+$3.50 to upgrade dessert of set meal), and I ended up having to 'fight' for the last spoonful of my fav Jap ice-cream. I was already too full from my greedy order of ala-carte deep-fried oysters (S$19) and the set meal of zaru soba, agedashi tofu, deep-fried pork, fish & prawn (S$27, for limited period only), but as most women know, desserts go to a different stomach, eh? ;P

Kids' utensils: A plastic cup of water was served for Sam (ours was the restaurant's standard houji-cha) upon our seating at the table. A child-size metal fork & spoon accompanied the fancy plate the kids' meal was served.

Service: Not much to complain about, except for the seemingly long time it took for the bill to arrive.

I was contemplating if it would have been worth it to buy the membership card (S$65 for 1 yr new membership with $120 worth of vouchers & discounts for all Pokka Food outlets), but since the waitress didn't make any effort to promote it, & I couldn't really gauge the benefits properly with Sam around, I just let it be. Anyone found the membership worthwhile???

Tonkichi Takashimaya

391 Orchard Road

#04-24 Ngee Ann City
Tel: 6735-7522