Sunday, July 1, 2012

Arbitness

Its been 2 years since the last post was written on this blog and in an afternoon of total boredom where i dont have anything better to do, i thought might as well re connect with this.

Singapore has been a 5 minute movie playing in repeat mode. Same places, same people, same food again and again. We thought it was the place or the lack of it - but we realized that it was us - getting old, getting stuck with the same routine, being happy with the predictability and mediocrity of life.

Maybe it was worth to change - especially when you know that the things you took for granted may not be with you anymore. That is was the kick in the backside we needed to take off our blinkers and look around.

And around we looked - to a place called Arbite in a quaint little corner of Singapore that no one had dared to enter before. Being a middle aged couple with significant financial difficulties, proximity and public transport availability were critical factors.

The place was up a rickety old steps (with a hole in the wall - literally) near chomp chomp food court. Chomp chomp reminded me of bangkok red light districts - smelly, hot and R rated food being served in humungous quantities - take it or leave it style. We decided to hit that place on a calmer day when we didnt have to share our table with sweaty uncles and aunties swearing at the top of their voices for the food.

Back to Arbite - the place is small and cozy - would have been better if it were outdoors, but given our level of comfort with AC, we didnt mind. We got the last 2 seats and ordered ourselves a sangria and something called Mint cooler (knowing who wore the pants in the house, the lady got the wine while the guy got the girly green cocktail with a straw and mint leaves). The drinks were refreshing and enough to last us through dinner,

Food was ordered in a jiffy - Eggs Benedicts for the Mr and Papar Delle with Parma Ham with Mushrooms for the Mrs. The food was homely and delightful - Eggs Benedict seemed as rich and sinful (or maybe it was me reacting to egg yolk after 2 hours of hitting the gym) and the Papar Delle was as comforting as mom's home cooked soup when you are sick in bed.

The highlight was of course dessert - My wife's chocolate cake (no she doesnt cook - its the name of the dish)  - sinful dark chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate bits. It was like tasting heavenly pleasures and hellish sins in a dish. Enough said.

Overall the trip was well worth it. Reasonable place, budget friendly, no snobbish folks, loud singaporeans having a good time and good food close by to home.

Onward to new adventures. May the blinkers remain safely tucked away.


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