68 January 2013 www.womanthismonth.com When we were invited to have a go at the healthy options on the menu at Meisei in Adliya, we expected to find ‘lite’ versions of yummier dishes. Shame on us to think chef Michael Sang-Kyu Lee would offer a dumbed down meal to his customers. At the risk of sounding smitten, I’ll have to say these healthy recipes made the most delicious meal I’ve had in a long while. When we walked into this lavish restaurant, I wouldn’t eat veggies if they were wrapped in bacon and my friend wouldn’t eat a raw sushi roll if it was the last thing on earth. I’ve just reserved a table to have my second vegetable pizza this week! And she just tried tuna with nothing but wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger. What changed our minds, you ask? A quick lunch at Meisei! The lowdown In Meisei’s kitchen, there is no hidden agenda. The only trick to creating such scrumptious dishes is the use of the finest and freshest ingredients. Chef Michael insists on using nothing short of the best in every recipe. He steers clear of transfat, MSG, iodised salt and artificial flavouring. According to this culinary genius, one’s wellbeing is all about lifestyle choices. It is about maintaining a balance. To make sure that everything that is being served at your table is pure, Michael and his team prepare every little thing in-house, from sauces and dips to even wasabi. If you’ve got any doubts about your meal, feel free to peep into the theatrical open kitchen or better yet, walk in! If you follow a specific diet — gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian — the kitchen brigade here can adapt to your needs. Too Good to be True showcase MEISEI It sounds unlikely when someone admits to having a gourmet meal that doesn’t clash with their weight loss plan. We did; now you’ve got to believe it! Round one: Meisei salad At a glance, you’ll think it’s just any other salad. Don’t let the simplicity of its presentation fool you. One crunchy bite later, you’ll realise that the term ‘fresh’ is taken seriously here. The blend of fruits and vegetables is perfect. Aside from the use of Granny Smith apples, a standout feature of their signature salad is the yuzu juice that you can spritz onto your salad as much as you please. The intense flavour is balanced by the sesame seed vinaigrette.
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