original sin takes a lot more than apples...

i had a friend visiting from hong kong, and she (like me) is a veggo.. so i took the opportunity to head to my favourite vegetarian restaurant in singapore - original sin.  i first went there with graham.. and thought it was ok.  but when i went back with my hong kong friend, i have upgraded my opinion.  it was fantastic.  we had such a good time.  yes, the conversation was great.  but even more great was that i could order ANYTHING from the menu!  i had selection!  do you know how awesome it felt not to have to 'make up' something from the sides?  i could order the appetizer or the entree or dessert, whatever i wanted.  and so i did.

we ordered the mezze platter to start.  really how can you go wrong with hummus and pita bread?  so good!  i ordered the beetroot salad.. cause for some reason, i was craving healthy food. and it was delcious.  a strange choice, quite tart.. but a lovely companion to my not so healthy second choice..
the fritters; eggplant and parsnip fritters deep fried. hello!  (actually not so awesome..but not bad...)  kind of wished i had of went for the vegetable tandoori, or the risotto ( i had the risotto my first time... and it was sooo gooooddddd), or the pesto... or the moussaka.. or oh!  the choices!

my friend went for one of the special's which was a veggie pasta with an steamed artichoke.  it was bizarre.  i've only ever seen artichoke hearts, peeled and ready to eat on my pizza.  but my friend was served with a full artichoke, in which she had to peel and try to figure out how to eat it.  fascinating.  she did report, that after having figured it out, it was delicious. as was her pasta.

we didn't have dessert.. because we were actually quite full and satisfied by our mains.  i had the masala tea while we sat and chatted. i wish i had more friends here in singapore. actually, i just wish i had more friends who were vegetarian so i could for dinner or lunch or anything, anytime at original sin.  it was truly divine.

original sin is hidden away up at the top of chip bee gardens across the road from holland village.. but it also just down the lane from gastronomia..  which helps to snab something after for lunch or treats the next day.. (not saying i did... ok i did...).

not that it wasn't awesome, it was.  but i am giving original sin 4.5 stars because they should deliver.  and they should be located closer to my house.

Original Sin
Blk 43 #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga
Holland Village: Chip Bee Gardens
Tel : 6475 5605

check out their menu online originalsin.com.sg

artichokes rock.

you say its your birthday... its my birthday too yeah.. no really, it was my birthday. 25 again. ;) so the ladies took me for champagne brunch. yeah!  except i got a bit lost enroute and was half an hour late.  oops.

we went to the artichoke cafe and bar which is a delightful hidden gem off the busy middle road behind a chapel.  its got this cool idea (not vegan, so not the coolest, but cool) the chefs just cook whatever they feel like.  and they use fresh ingredients.  they even have a herb garden outside the kitchen where they grown their own herbs.


i ordered haloumi and mushrooms which comes with tomatoes and rocket on top of toast.. thick turkish sliced bread.... which was pretty damn good. they don't do soy milk (cause they didn't want to... its a whole milk, organic meat kinda place....) so i ordered an espresso   which was lovely. kathy ordered champagne..oh la la.... remember.. we are celebrating.. ME!!
the others did order something to eat.... it looked equally awesome in these massive fry up skillets.. but i really don't remember.  i was so absorbed with eating my awesome bread.  yup.  the bread was awesome.  and then we ordered dessert which was this awesome burnt toffee pudding, which tasted just like cool november nights in canada sitting by a fire watching the wind blow the last leaves off the trees.  seriously, it was just wow.

and also for my birthday.. i went shopping and bought myself a nice little treat.  tiffany's what?  working my life away in singapore does have a few perks....

and also for my birthday.. i got not one but 2 messages from my newest man toy.  seriously, what is wrong with me?  how can i not just find one nice one that i like and can keep and take home?!....... oohh but this one is sooo nice. i met him two weekends ago. he was in singapore on business.  and we went for dinner at clarke quay and made out by the river. so romantic.  then i went for lunch with him the next day and wandered china town, bum-boating around the town acting like the tourists that i avoid. oh heart of mine be still.   he's coming back in october.  not getting my hopes up.. but fingers and toes are crossed.  this guy.. is the bomb.  he's from california (so he's got that cool open minded thing going on..) he's tall (like 6 ft.  i am obsessed with height since living in singapore.. aka.. land of short people)  he's smart.  he's funny.  ok, he doesn't drive a ferrari .. but really does that matter?

so artichoke.... a bit heavy on the whole meat and milk loving vibe.. damn when did i become so elitist? (remember, i'm a vegan......)  but the food was good. the herb garden was cool.  and the vibe was really good. if i lived near i'd go again.  often. i have no idea how much it cost. how cool are my friends??!  let's just say.. it wasn't twenty dollar bills that kathy was laying down.. more like fifties..a few of them.... ok so.... it doesn't top boomerang.. but its damn close.

Artichoke Cafe and Bar
161 Middle Road
Tel: 6336 6949

hahaha.. their email is wassup@artichoke.com.sg.  serious.   awesome.