We returned to Singapore at the end of our voyage and I wanted to
relive an experience I had 25 years ago when I first visited that I have
never forgotten.
We headed over to Little India and BANANA LEAF APOLO, where I had
been for an amazing lunch ages ago in a restaurant that has been now
open for over 40 years.
Back then, at lunchtime, the place was heaving with people going
from station to station choosing their dishes and condiments and having
it all served up on a giant banana leaf.
Today, it is table service, and while we ate at 4pm on Sunday, it
was very quiet, although many Hindi people were enjoying the various
Southern Indian cuisine (or Tamil) that they are famous for. Now, the
menu also includes North India cuisine, so Samuel begged for Garlic Naan
which he spotted on that menu, but it was not as good as the naan we
know from Northern Indian restaurants back home. He also chose two Tamil
dishes: APOLO CHICKEN 65 and APOLO PEPPER CHICKEN.The former was a dry
dish on the milder side spicewise, the latter a curry-like hot pepper
chicken in a thick sauce. Everything is still served on a giant
rectangular placemat-like banana leaf. I knew my family would not go
for the famous Fish Head Curry, so Will agreed to the FRIED FISH CURRY
which was another sauce-laden and no super spicy dish.
Pappadam comes to quell the spice and while Will had a local beer, I drank plenty of water!
We ordered BIRYANI RICE & VEGETABLES which is also a great foil
to the spice as the vegetables were pickled in a light curry flavor and
actually also quelled the spice.
The spiciest dish was the Spicy MUTTON CURRY which I liked the best
and declared the winner, but my experience was sadly not as memorable
as it was back in my younger years.
Perhaps I shall return in another 25 years and it will be better.
It just was not what I wanted it to be, and since Samuel is not a spice
nut, he stuck with the lighter Chicken 65 (we never did find out what
the number means). Perhaps my ancient memories are blurred.
Next stop-Beijing.
