Frenching

It's been a landmine of a week and am I glad that it's almost over. Murphy had a field day with his law, and yet, I can't help but feel that God's law has triumphed.

"Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart."
Ps 119:34

I understand a little bit better God's heart and the concept of being constantly refined and renewed. Next week, there will be a better me, as a result of the me last week. Yes!!

On a lighter note, I want to talk about dinner last night.

After work, I headed happily towards Adam Road Hawker Centre, looking forward to a fiery mee-beehoon goreng, washed down with icy cold, sickeningly-sweet bandung. But alas, it was not to be.

My first clue was the the dearth of cars in the parking lot. As I neared the famed establishment, i saw a plain white banner stetched across the entrance, informing me that Adam Road Hawker Centre was closed for renovation till 30 March 2008!

As loose ends for a place to have my desired repast, I head aimlessly towards Serene Centre. I surveyed the options available - Macdonalds, Some Fusion Japanese place, Island Creamery, and La Petite Cuisine - and my heart sank further. MacD's was a good last option. The people at the pseudo Jap place didn't even pause in the busy standing-at-the-counter they were doing, although I loitered outside a good 10 mins perusing the menu. Island Creamery only served ice cream, and had a 20-person queue.
That left La Petite Cuisine.

As I walked into the establisment, I was greeted by a good looking Filipina waitress and a rough-looking Filipino with a tattoo of a snake on his neck! Her warm smile and his strangeness drew me in to take a closer look. Then a huge Frenchman with a white handlebar moustache came out of nowhere and greeted me with a hearty "Bon Soir" and I knew I had to try this joint out. If not for anything but because the chef looked like Einstein's deranged brother.

To say the place was small is an understatement. The kitchen was the size of two bathroom stalls and the chef and his two assistants stood in it. A five foot counter served as the waiters' station, order counter and cash register. The rest of the place was seating, spilling over to the terrace outside. We could hear every word they said, although the chef seemed to be the only one talking. "Where is the steak?! I am waiting for the steak and I don't like to wait!"

When asked for recommedations, the waitress without hesitation said "Duck Confit with potato gratin" and I didn't argue. I am glad I didn't. The duck was flavourful although some bits were not as tender as I would have liked. The potato gratin was swimming in heavy cream and butter. In all, not the meal for a weight watcher, but since I am not one, it was great. In a posh restaurant, it may have cost $30 easily; here is was $15.

As I was putting the last deletable morsel in my mouth, a lady came in and asked if they were open in the morning, for coffee and chocolate croissants. The chef, who was idling by the counter, said, in a loud booming voice, "No. In the morning, I sleep. With my girlfriend." The lady beat a hasty retreat.

La Petite Cuisine totally lives up to its name. It's the size of a postage stamp and the food is truly cuisine. Please try it if you can. Like the French Stall in Tekka, it's unpretentious French food at its best.