Food, wine, company - it's date night

I tried to talk, but instead dissolved into laughter.

He poured more wine into my glass – which was also hysterically funny – and smiled as he took another sip of his coffee.

Clearly I was not the designated driver for our evening out.

When I became part of the Malaysia Kitchen campaign, I knew I wanted to use one of the meals as a chance for Steve and I to go out alone. Purely for research purposes, you understand. Having blogged about Malaysian food as a great family meal, and using it to teach children about eating spicy food, I wanted to show it in another light.

So, imagine this light: the room is dim, candles are flickering, barely-shining globes are hanging in bird cages from the high ceilings. It’s time for a date night with Malaysian food.

Omah’s in Port Melbourne is well known and has a great reputation. And people who know it will say three things about it: great food, beautiful location, and AMAZING WINE.

Steve and I ordered a banquet – something I cringe at the concept of, except that these banquet options have an impressive line-up of food: duck sang choy pow, tempura oysters, spicy chicken… all delicious. The beef rendang was the best I’ve had so far and my favourite dish of the night, while Steve was very impressed with a five-spice calamari dish. Then, while Steve polished off the remains of our dishes, I saved room for dessert.

I’d never tried a Malaysian dessert before, so I asked the waiter for his recommendation: tapioca pudding, which was quite similar to rice pudding (but nicer). I’ve never been a fan of Asian desserts, but this may be a turning point in my view on that.

And we accompanied it all with a bottle of red wine. Yes, the word on the street was correct: the wine list was fabulous and I took some convincing to move on from the list of French champagnes before agreeing to a red.

The evening’s conversation descended rather abruptly at a point somewhere between me saving room for dessert and actually eating my pudding. With Steve driving, the task of finishing the bottle of wine was on my shoulders, and I took it very seriously – that is, until it hit me suddenly and left me in fits of giggles, no longer able to hold a sensible conversation. But that’s okay – sensible conversations are overrated.

No, I don’t get out much.

However, in my defence, the wine was good. Really good.

As was our night out.

When was your last date night? Did you get a bit carried away like me?

(Also, it's apparent that mood lighting, an iPhone and good photos don't mix - sorry about that!)

We ate at Omah's in Port Melbourne, with thanks to the Malaysia Kitchen campaign.