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Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans)
The Tembusu is one of Singapore’s most distinctive trees. The finest specimen of a Tembusu found in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is said to be more than 150 years old, and is featured on the back of Singapore’s $5 note. The Tembusu can be recognised by its deeply fissured bark and unique perpendicular branching. It is a highly robust tree and is able to grow in poorly drained clayey soils. It flowers in May – June and October – November, with cream-white flowers that open at sunset and give off a strong fragrance.
A Sunset to Remember
You would normally associate a meal at the beach with a smoky outdoor barbecue and grilled chicken wings. But on a recent trip to East Coast Park, I was pleasantly surprised by a fabulous dinner of succulent beef and lamb at Sunset Bay Garden Beach Bar & Restaurant.
Located at the Bougainvillea Garden near carpark F2, Sunset Bay is framed by lush greenery and flowering bougainvillea shrubs that provide a burst of colour to the area. Add in the picturesque seaview, and you have the perfect place to enjoy a hearty tuck-in, relax with an after-work drink or catch up with friends over dessert.
We were impressed when we first saw the Sunset Bay menu. The restaurant serves up a wide range of Eurasian, Western and Italian cuisine, including customers’ favourites such as devil’s curry, lamb shank and the ever-popular thin-crust homemade pizzas.
We started our meal with the sauteed fungi – a mix of button and shiitake mushrooms, tossed with olive oil, garlic, basil, white wine and parmesan cheese. The mushrooms were wonderfully juicy and fresh, and the herbs were an ideal complement to the dish. We quibbled over the last few mushrooms – they were so tasty that we all wanted to have more!
And that was just the start. When my main course of Beef Smore arrived, I was slightly taken aback by its gigantic portion. It looked like a meal for two! The dish had braised beef chunks, served with potatoes, vegetable stew and homemade puccia bread. The beef was cooked just right – incredibly tender and fragrant, and the accompanying gravy made a great dip for the freshly-baked, crisp puccia bread, which was similar to pitas.
Our other dish, Lamb Shank, turned out to be similarly mouth-watering (and large!). It was even de-boned, which was a thoughtful touch. We savoured every morsel, as it isn’t every day that one gets to tuck into such sumptuous food in a lovely seaside setting. There was a steady stream of diners by then – Sunset Bay was obviously not a well-kept secret on the east coast! And with its menu of excellent dishes and scenic views, would anyone wonder why?
Our meal was definitely a cut above what you’d normally find at beachside cafes and barbecues. Being too full for desserts, we ended the evening with a stroll around the Bougainvillea Garden, where cyclists and inline skaters had taken to the tracks, alongside joggers, and families out for a leisurely stroll. It was certainly a meal to remember, and we will be back, perhaps next time for the very famous devil’s curry.
Sunset Bay is located at 1300 East Coast Park (Carpark F2). For enquiries, please call 6448 9060 or visit www.sunsetbay.com.sg
By Melanie Wee
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