Shoestring Heaven- House
It's not often that I actually feel like going out on a Friday night. Well in Sydney I do, but in Singapore I'm usually too damn tired after work to even think about doing something after. The Friday just gone was an exception and proved to be quite the interesting experience. Not so much in culinary terms, but more so I got my first taste of what it would be like to be a dad.
We made were catching up with one of Erica's old friends for dinner and initially the plan was for us to eat at Da Paolo because I felt like Italian. But because Matilda was bringing her baby, whe had to change venue to one that was more child friendly. I.e More casual, less intimate, and more conducive to the possibility of a 4 limbed time bomb going off. We ended up with a reservation at House at Dempsey instead which I didn't mind. I've heard so much about their Truffle Fries that I've wanted to try them for quite some time.
Okay, first things first, the baby seat. Now I know why guys are forced to give up their sports cars when they get a baby. Because 2 door coupes are the devil when it comes to putting a baby seat in. That's lesson one.
Dempsey is quite a surprising area. This was my first time there and I was indeed surprised at just how big it was and how far back it extended. It's like a recessed mini-district of restaurants. Quite cool... After getting our car valet parked (free for certain restaurants), I had to carry the entire baby capsule (it had a handle to do so), complete with sleeping baby, from the valet station to the restaurant. This proved to be quite the awkward experience as the capsule is no small thing and the baby is quite the chubby thing. I had to keep switching hands as my arms were getting tired! That's lesson two.
When we arrived the table they provided for us proved to be inadequate because the chairs for that table were too small for the baby capsule and so we requested another table that had much bigger chairs. Initially they said they couldn't because it was already reserved but Matilda eventually swayed them. That's lesson three.
House
Chubby Lil' Luke
Newspaper Menu
Mother
The Tiffin Cocktail
For drinks we ordered the Tiffin Cocktail which was quite cool. Four cocktails served in a Tiffin Carrier. A novel concept. Sure beats a cocktail served in a plastic chinese takeaway container. For the entrees I didn't really care all that much as long as I got to try the famous Truffle Fries. But with that sorted, I selected the Baked Brie as my proper entree whilst Erica ordered a beef entree and Matilda the Tuna.
Everything after the Truffle Fries arrived was just a haze because there so damn good. I mean, I know I've been trying to watch my carb intake lately and all, but hot damn, I couldn't stop pounding away at these bad boys! They were fucking fantastic! Best shoestring fries ever. Basically shoestring fries are always great when they're crispy and perfectly salted, but laced with truffle oil? It's like sex without a raincoat on your Johnson. Friggin' so much better!!!
I eventually realised (and so did everyone else), that I was quickly scoffing all the fries. So much so that I felt bad and ordered a second order of Truffle Fries to replace the first! I then proceeded to work my way through them too :P
Entrees? What entrees? To me they paled in comparison but were actually also pretty good. Very much enjoyed my baked brie and the beef and tuna entrees were also pretty darn good too. But once again... it's all about the Truffle Fries... sigh...
Truffle Fries
Ahi Taki Salad
Pantagonian Wagyu Beef
Baked Brie with Bread
For mains, Erica got the foie gras (standard) whilst I got the mini-burgers or sliders as the yanks call it. I ordered my with mushrooms, bacon, blue cheese, and onions. Unfortunately by the time this arrived, I was so completely stuffed from Truffle Fries that I really didn't even want to touch my burgers! And not only that, my burgers came with a massive portion of not just more Truffle Fries but also sweet potato fries! Yikes!
I could barely even stomach another chip... I forced about half my burger down, and that was it. I'm out! It's a bit of a waste really. The burger was okay, it wasn't great. Next time, I'm just coming here for Truffle Fries and an entree.
Seared Foie Gras on Seared Duck Breast
House Rib-Eye Steak
Old-Fashioned American Sliders
That's pretty much what I left behind...
Strawberry Shortcake
With our dinner out of the way, it was time for baby Luke's dinner. I got to experience what it's like to juggle a baby and eat at the same time! Luke wanted to be carried but his mum also needed to eat, so I volunteered just so she could finish her dinner undisturbed.
For me it wasn't as bad as everyone says it is. I'm known for my ability to open a Sausage McMuffin, stick two hashbrowns in it, wrap it back up, and eat it, all whilst barrelling down the highway without even touching the brakes. Yep... juggling a bub and eating, no problem at all! Well... reality proved to be a little tricker than I anticipated since Sausage McMuffins down try to grab and squirm their way out of your lap. But still, I reckon I did okay :) That's lesson four.
Lucky last lesson five was right at the end of the evening when lil' Luke was feeling quite tired and restless. He was doing that almost wail that kids do in public places which sends their parents into a tailspin. It's basically like watching the timer count to zero on a bomb before it detonates. It think the bill was still on it's way back when the timer hit zero.... Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I quickly grabbed the baby filled capsule and bolted out the door!
It was indeed quite the interesting experience I have to say. Admittedly, taking an infant to public eateries isn't really one of the things that I look forward to when I become a Father, but I'm glad I've had this little taste. Gives me a better idea of what to expect... and it's not good. That being said, I still want a bub so to my wife, nothings changed. Our contract still holds for us to have our first bub next year :)
We made were catching up with one of Erica's old friends for dinner and initially the plan was for us to eat at Da Paolo because I felt like Italian. But because Matilda was bringing her baby, whe had to change venue to one that was more child friendly. I.e More casual, less intimate, and more conducive to the possibility of a 4 limbed time bomb going off. We ended up with a reservation at House at Dempsey instead which I didn't mind. I've heard so much about their Truffle Fries that I've wanted to try them for quite some time.
Okay, first things first, the baby seat. Now I know why guys are forced to give up their sports cars when they get a baby. Because 2 door coupes are the devil when it comes to putting a baby seat in. That's lesson one.
Dempsey is quite a surprising area. This was my first time there and I was indeed surprised at just how big it was and how far back it extended. It's like a recessed mini-district of restaurants. Quite cool... After getting our car valet parked (free for certain restaurants), I had to carry the entire baby capsule (it had a handle to do so), complete with sleeping baby, from the valet station to the restaurant. This proved to be quite the awkward experience as the capsule is no small thing and the baby is quite the chubby thing. I had to keep switching hands as my arms were getting tired! That's lesson two.
When we arrived the table they provided for us proved to be inadequate because the chairs for that table were too small for the baby capsule and so we requested another table that had much bigger chairs. Initially they said they couldn't because it was already reserved but Matilda eventually swayed them. That's lesson three.
House
Chubby Lil' Luke
Newspaper Menu
Mother
The Tiffin Cocktail
For drinks we ordered the Tiffin Cocktail which was quite cool. Four cocktails served in a Tiffin Carrier. A novel concept. Sure beats a cocktail served in a plastic chinese takeaway container. For the entrees I didn't really care all that much as long as I got to try the famous Truffle Fries. But with that sorted, I selected the Baked Brie as my proper entree whilst Erica ordered a beef entree and Matilda the Tuna.
Everything after the Truffle Fries arrived was just a haze because there so damn good. I mean, I know I've been trying to watch my carb intake lately and all, but hot damn, I couldn't stop pounding away at these bad boys! They were fucking fantastic! Best shoestring fries ever. Basically shoestring fries are always great when they're crispy and perfectly salted, but laced with truffle oil? It's like sex without a raincoat on your Johnson. Friggin' so much better!!!
I eventually realised (and so did everyone else), that I was quickly scoffing all the fries. So much so that I felt bad and ordered a second order of Truffle Fries to replace the first! I then proceeded to work my way through them too :P
Entrees? What entrees? To me they paled in comparison but were actually also pretty good. Very much enjoyed my baked brie and the beef and tuna entrees were also pretty darn good too. But once again... it's all about the Truffle Fries... sigh...
Truffle Fries
Ahi Taki Salad
Pantagonian Wagyu Beef
Baked Brie with Bread
For mains, Erica got the foie gras (standard) whilst I got the mini-burgers or sliders as the yanks call it. I ordered my with mushrooms, bacon, blue cheese, and onions. Unfortunately by the time this arrived, I was so completely stuffed from Truffle Fries that I really didn't even want to touch my burgers! And not only that, my burgers came with a massive portion of not just more Truffle Fries but also sweet potato fries! Yikes!
I could barely even stomach another chip... I forced about half my burger down, and that was it. I'm out! It's a bit of a waste really. The burger was okay, it wasn't great. Next time, I'm just coming here for Truffle Fries and an entree.
Seared Foie Gras on Seared Duck Breast
House Rib-Eye Steak
Old-Fashioned American Sliders
That's pretty much what I left behind...
Strawberry Shortcake
With our dinner out of the way, it was time for baby Luke's dinner. I got to experience what it's like to juggle a baby and eat at the same time! Luke wanted to be carried but his mum also needed to eat, so I volunteered just so she could finish her dinner undisturbed.
For me it wasn't as bad as everyone says it is. I'm known for my ability to open a Sausage McMuffin, stick two hashbrowns in it, wrap it back up, and eat it, all whilst barrelling down the highway without even touching the brakes. Yep... juggling a bub and eating, no problem at all! Well... reality proved to be a little tricker than I anticipated since Sausage McMuffins down try to grab and squirm their way out of your lap. But still, I reckon I did okay :) That's lesson four.
Lucky last lesson five was right at the end of the evening when lil' Luke was feeling quite tired and restless. He was doing that almost wail that kids do in public places which sends their parents into a tailspin. It's basically like watching the timer count to zero on a bomb before it detonates. It think the bill was still on it's way back when the timer hit zero.... Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I quickly grabbed the baby filled capsule and bolted out the door!
It was indeed quite the interesting experience I have to say. Admittedly, taking an infant to public eateries isn't really one of the things that I look forward to when I become a Father, but I'm glad I've had this little taste. Gives me a better idea of what to expect... and it's not good. That being said, I still want a bub so to my wife, nothings changed. Our contract still holds for us to have our first bub next year :)