on a fine monday night dining out...

yeaps, had a great time dining out with one of my friends out at Cream Bistro last night. Here are some of the memorable stuff:

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1) Originally we planned to meet at 7pm. The funny thing is my friend sent me an SMS via mobile phone on Sunday night, saying "Lets aim to meet at 7pm". When I read that SMS, I just burst out laughing. Because my friend is a civil servant, I can so totally imagine the tone which he would have said the above SMS, in person*. It's funny, because no one I know (other than those in the civil service or who read too many management books) speaks like that...^ 

Anyway, received another SMS in the morning yesterday. Because my friend changed his mind, we then need to "aim to meet at" 6pm instead. :D unfortunately, I was rushing some work at another of my friend's place. So in the end, had to message him that I'll be late. So in the end, we only got to the restaraunt at 7pm. :D talk about cosmic jokes ah...

2) My friend was surprised when I ordered a bottle of Hoegaardens' at the restaraunt. He said he didn't know I have to drink beer during dinner. Actually I don't have the habit of drinking wine or beer during dinner. Am not "chic-chic", as my other friend would put it. But somehow I always end out ordering a glass of Hoegaarden's at Cream Bistro**. 

Ended up he also bought a bottle of Hoe. I was just teasing him that he doesn't need to do so, because "this ain't some business dinner", and that he have to 陪酒...

3) Had a good time makan-ing. He tried the Bi Bim Bap (korean rice-dish, with plenty vegetable). while I tried the Thai-styled stuffed chicken wings. No complaints about the food. Think the good food and music at the start of the meal led us to open up and talk almost anything under the sun. One thing my friend remarked is that I'm an unusally good listener, and that he finds it easy to just talk to me, even about personal stuff. Hmmm, maybe i should start my own profession and be a professional Listener...  

4) Eh, the dinner didn't end on a perfect note, however. As we were just mulling over the last dregs of our beer, suddenly there was this pungent smell of sewage water (in an air-conditioned environment). It seems that the piping beneath the sofa we were seated burst, and the waste water from the kitchen was leaked onto the dining area. The bottoms of our bags were slushed and made wet, as we had placed them on the floor. Thank God it wasn't a flood of deluge that came pouring out of the seats, as then we would have to go home stinking on the public train and bus smelling like garbage.

The boss of the bistro was very apologetic towards us about the unexpected leak. In the end, he only charged us for the beer, and not for the food, without us even asking for anything. In terms of hospitality and service, I would say that the boss did the right thing.

The parting shot for the night was that my friend remarked if we never had ordered the beer, we probably would have a free meal on the house...

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*Pardon for the bimbo-y tone in that sentence.

^ Don't get me wrong, I have a couple of friends in civil service, and man, they are great friends. It's just something the language they used takes a life and lingo of their own...

** eh, last night was only my 3rd time there, so I am not an alcoholic, nor turning into one... :D