[1000hrs] Breakfast at Lot 1!
1 x eggplant
1 x okra
1 x bunch enoki
1 x bunch Chinese vegetables
3 x chillies stuffed with fish paste
I also had a freshly squeezed green apple and guava juice - SD$3.50 – with no ice. I managed to take a shot of this lovely stack of fresh sugar cane on the bench top – just waiting for someone to order it to have the juices squeezed out!
[1400hrs] David took us out for lunch at Vivo City at Harbourfront. I don’t know the name of the restaurant we went to – it’s just a large Chinese character and ‘bosses’ written underneath. We shall call it ‘Bosses’.
The restaurant looked like a scene from a Chinese gambling movie. Dark décor with tables that have drawers just like mah jong tables – the menus were tucked away in these drawers.
They gave us a plate of these delicious fish crackers to munch on while we waited for Richard and his family to arrive. They’re actually slices of fish that have been deep fried – you can still see the skin on them.David proceeded to order some dishes for us.
[1430hrs] We followed Richard and his son, Zhi Heng, into the nearby Toys’R’Us where he was running around as if he were playing at home. He found a pram and so we put Elmo on it and he giggled as he pushed it around.
[1800hrs] On my own, I wandered around Vivo City briefly and then started my search for somewhere for dinner. Yes, it always comes back to food!
I took the MRT to Raffles Hall and found my way to Boat Quay, where I had ended up when I got lost one day. I walked down the row of numerous restaurants on the riverside and enquired at a few places if they served lobster. After hearing the prices (about SD$90.00 for one small lobster) I decided to keep searching. The more time I spent looking for somewhere to eat, the more time I would have to build up my appetite. Wandering into a side street with an Irish pub and a few little places, I decided to take a taxi and head to Holland Village to continue my search there.[1900hrs] I decided I felt like Italian tonight. I walked down Jelan Merah Saga but wasn’t taken by the menus I perused there. So, I headed towards the street where I’d found the German pub last time. I saw an Italian restaurant which was empty. Nice clean white linen tablecloths and napkins on the tables…but empty. I was about to cross the road to check out their menu when I glanced to my right and saw there was another little restaurant tucked away amongst some buildings down the lane. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to check out their menu that was on display by the side of the road.
I liked the look of the place…the entrance had steps leading up to the door with wrought iron railings and a little cosy table right beside the door. I glanced at their menu and decided to go in.
- authentic Italian restaurant -
The inside was dimly lit with candles on each table to create a relaxing, intimate atmosphere. The restaurant is one long, narrow room but they’ve made use of the space well by mirrors on one side and a booth seat along one wall. At the end, there is another room and another entrance that opens out onto the main road.
eggplant parmigiana - SD$11.90
Layers of sliced eggplant filled with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil.
Mmm - this was delicious!! I could have ordered a second dish and been content if that were all I ate tonight!
To wash it all down, I ordered a bottle of white wine – Italian of course!
(trebbiano & malvasia) Indicazione Geografica Tipica
As usual, in between my courses I asked for a break of about fifteen minutes, which they were more than happy to oblige. I take this time to sip my wine and work on my crosswords. I find that I accomplish more in my crosswords if I’ve had a drink or if I’m really tired. It just happens that the answers just come to me quicker and it’s usually the first word I think of.
osso bucco - SD$39.90
Succulent and tender veal knuckle braised for many hours and served with saffron rice.
insalata italiana - SD$8.90
Freshly tossed air-flown lettuce with homemade dressing.
This is the first time I have had osso bucco before. The meat was so incredibly tender and fell from the bone without much effort. The saffron rice was such a wonderful accompaniment to the veal. I love the flavour of saffron with rice! I welcomed the freshness of the salad, but I’m puzzled as to what ‘air-flown’ is? Air dried?
While I was working on my crossword, I found an amazing coincidence:
Clue 188 down: Knuckle of veal stew, … bucco
The answer: OSSO
tiramisu - SD$10.90
Layers of creamy mousse and coffee-drenched sponge finger cake. Amici’s own 8 year old recipe and a strong favourite.
I didn't know whether I would be able to eat the dessert, being not much of a cake person. But, as soon as I had the first mouthful, I was in love! I actually polished off the whole cake!!
During my dessert, I was itching to get a photo of the chefs in action. They’ve got an open kitchen, which I always think is great. I love watching the chefs in action, especially if you can actually watch your food being prepared (ie teppanyaki). I asked my waitress, Winnie, if I could take a photo of the kitchen and she said ‘Sure!’
I love travelling and dining out on my own. I get to meet new people and it just reminds me of what’s important in life – human contact. When you go out with friends, you’re closed off to just your own circle, whereas if you’re out on your own, you’re more open to the possibilities of meeting new people and opening yourself up to them. When the restaurant quietened down, Winnie and I got to talking and I felt touched that she was comfortable enough to open up so much of her life to me. It brought me to tears!
As soon as I began taking photos of the kitchen and the chefs, the soux chef, Ivan, left the kitchen to come and chat to me. The head chef was outside having a break. One of the other waiters, Markus, also came over to join us for a bit inbetween waiting on tables. At this point, I reckon they should have all just dropped everything and joined me for a drink!
[2330hrs] Back at home, I warmed up some shark fin soup and polished it off before bed!
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