North Border, Rochester Park, Singapore

Rating:
A single lane barely enough for one car cuts through this hilly, tree-lined enclave called Rochester Park. A row of bars separated by clumps of trees line one side. I felt like I was walking through a residential village because these restos look like they used to be old colonial mansions.

We skipped sexy looking One Rochester because they don't serve dinner and decided to try dinner al fresco at North Border instead.

The atmosphere is decidedly calm, almost romantic because of the dim lights and candlelit tables. The low throb of the MRT construction outside is muted by the tall trees surrounding the patio where we dined. Comfy net chairs, hushed tones all around and a corny jazz CD playing in the background.

I tried the lamb, the steak and the ribs. Of the three, I recommend the rack of lamb which was tasty and tender. If lamb's not your style, go for the baby back ribs which is big enough for two people to eat. Not exactly the best i've had but it's not too bad. (I was a bit disappointed though because it wasn't very hot anymore... maybe it's so you can eat it with your hands.) I also tried the rib-eye steak with the Jack Daniel's sauce but I dunno the gravy just wasn't working for me.

The night's pièce de résistance came in the form of their chili ice cream! Yummy! It tastes like vanilla but after you swallow a spoonful, you'll feel a glowing hot sensation in your throat. Of course to douse the flames, you eat more of the ice cream and the cycle continues. Yum. Definitely a must try.

Four pawikan points. Extra points for Francis the very entertaining roving mariachi who claims that he can sing in 50 languages. He sang for us in Tagalog (perfect accent!), Turkish and Spanish. Also extra points to the Filipino staff who treated us to complementary chocolate cake. Minus points for their amateurish website. For a classy place such as this, surely they can afford to upgrade their internet presence!

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To get here, alight at the Buona Vista MRT station, make a right at the MRT exit and walk towards NUS keeping the construction of the circle line station on your right side. You will see the Rochester Park street name after about 800m. Use the stairs at the car park and you'll see North Border on your left.