Happy Happy Happy Birthday

6th Sept was her birthday. To celebrate, we decided to dine out. The Tavern Restaurant, which has been in business since 1948, is a popular dining joint for the locals (mostly families, too expensive for students). We reached the restaurant at 5 pm and by 5.30 pm, it was already quite crowded. It has a cosy and rustic ambience, a bit dark but each table is lighted with an antique incandescent lamp.

Starter: She tried "Broiled Clams Florentine with Bacon", whilst I went for my favorite, "Onion Soup Au Gratin". Both turned out to be very good. The onion soup in particular was one of the best French onion soup I have tasted (**** die die must try!).

Main course: (called entree' in US). We decided to order one each. Usually, we would order one entree to share because the American portion is huge. She ordered "Sauteed Shrimp and Scallop Scampi" which came with fresh sea scallops and jumbo gulf shrimp sauteed in garlic and herb sauce, and served over a bed of tomato basil fettucine. Me, I ordered "Tavern Prime Rib of Beef Au Poivre". According to the menu, the prime rib coated with crushed peppercorns and marinated in a sauce of garlic, soy sauce and wine will be served with a pepper sauce of beef broth and marinade. We also ordered two salads, one portion of French fries and zuchini creole (just a more fancy word for salsa). The entrees sounded much better on the menu than it tasted. For the latter, I was expecting a huge rack of prime ribs but to my surprise, it turned out to be a rib steak, which my wife enjoyed nevertheless. Rating (**, so so).

Dessert: Although they were tempting, we didn't order any. Already, we couldn't finish the huge steak and had to ask the waitress to "tapau" the leftovers.

Eating out in the US is expensive. In addition, it is customary to tip the waitress with 15% being the norm. But the 5% extra is worth it as you get much better service than in Singapore. Our bill including taxes and tips added up to US$65. Thankfully, our landlady had earlier blessed us with a US$40 gift voucher, which we used to redeem part of the bill.

Overall, a good place to sample local American dishes. We could patronize the restaurant again (and even bring guests) but would go for their starters. Also, I would leave some room for thier desserts, which I think are good and moderately priced.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life...

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom

and faithful instructions is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of the household

and does not eat the bread of idleness...

Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

(Proverbs 31: 10-30).