Fifty Three

53 has replaced my favorite numbers of 7, 10, 19, 5 and other numbers that has some or no sexual reference. Like a ballerina swirling on my taste buds, I come to my readers a happy man.

Long have I been tortured by the mediocrity and the over priced nonsense I have been made to force feed myself to eat but all thanks for Jigga Man and B (What Up?), I was uplifted ironically during Valentine's Day. We went together for a non celebratory lunch at Fifty Three; and I was impressed.

The food was delicate, unusual, beautiful and sometimes weird (imagine the first time you ever see Salma Hayek), but the overall dining experience was one that I felt was something to talk about. We had the lunch menu and its not a typical restaurant where the stretch themselves to infinity, while making lots of dishes but specializing in none. 53 has 3 choices for appetizer, entree and dessert and that was it. I for one am not too comfortable with fine dining and the hyperbole used to describe those food items but I was rather blown away by what we ordered.

We ordered a various combination of food but in general as a table, we ordered (in order of the pictures) the following:

- Sirloin with 3 textured potatoes
- Roasted Figs with Sweet Olives
- Fillet of Fish with a piece of fried baguette
- Chicken with parsnips

Each dish was lovely on it own. Each a surprise and wonder in the mouth and I would like to say now that I would go back again before they increase their prices!

Tucked in a corner of Armenian Street, across from Singapore Management University. The owners of this restaurant have found that quality is not in quantity but the service, dedication and the honing of their culinary skills are virtues that their customers would admire.

We sat on the 2nd level of the shop house and I have to say that for such a great restaurant, having only 6 tables on that level shows why people should go back. 6 tables not because they won't have enough customers, 6 tables because the quality of the food is such that only you can replicate it, so many times.

Lunch was a steal. $45 +++ per person. Dinner is more expensive at $190 +++ per person. Their wine list, which in my opinion looks like one of the better ones in Singapore (You can't get a Parker Rated 98, Leoville Poyferre 2003 for $120 for half a bottle anywhere in Singapore)

Advise: Go before it gets too popular.