Eating with our good pals and some out-of-towners @ Luke's Oyster Bar & Chophouse, 20 Gemmil Lane, Singapore

To start, hot cornbread smothered with paprika infused softened butter

The table shared a few starters, like Luke's Smoked Trout Dip with Crackers and Celery

and, Deviled Eggs with Gentlemen's Relish and Fried Oysters, a crowd favourite

Each guest enjoyed their own individual Lobster Slider

And of course, in typical style, we ordered a dozen of every type of oyster ... delicious and fresh

Two platters in fact ...

and a Shellfish Plateau featuring Lobster, Crab, Prawns and Tuna Tartare

I absolutely loved the Tuna Tartare, each person got a tiny delightful ramekin

The Spudette and I enjoyed 400gms USDA Prime Ribeye, "Naked Style" with Garlic Confit

Served with a trio of mustards

and super creamy Potato Puree combined with Chives and Salted Butter ... yummy. One of the best steaks we've had for a long time.

The Tuna Tartare was so good, that two of our friends ordered it as a main

Luke's the Chophouse is a must visit, and only when you lunch there, you can enjoy their absolutely delicious hamburgers. The best things in life, like everything, are best shared with good friends!

Levant Exquisite Middle Eastern Restaurant, 8 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore

Hosting our Good Pals at The Missing Pan, 619D Bukit Timah Road, Singapore

We always order with great abandon and with the view of sharing and of trying everything so we started with the Grilled Pumpkin Salad, which was dissapointing until we realised we hadn't poured on the salad dressing...our bad!

The super excellent 62 Degrees Eggs Benedict sitting on an awesome bed of avocado mash and semi-cooked Smoked Salmon

A super amazing Rosemary Rosti Stack...definitely on the re-order list when we next visit...next weekend!

Went to have a look at the cooking process ...

Still in our sharing mode... a crusty-topped Guinness Pot Pie chock-full of hearty beef stew, sweet carrots and yes, potatoes. Eaten to the last crumb!

The opening round ... followed by

French Toast Salpicon, who was the culinary genius behind this brilliant creation? Need to shake his hand, said the Spudette. This was the ultimate hands-down winner for all.... brioche stuffed with creamed spinach and sauted mushrooms, served with mixed fruit and banana fritters over the top with a side pour of maple syrup. LOVE says the Spudette!

Roasted Chicken Sandwich, with absolutely delicious homemade truffle fries and onion rings, ordered by M and enjoyed by all! Sorry M you did ask whether we wanted to try some!

Solid Steak Burger with more of those fries! Again to share...what can I say we don't want our guests to starve

Grand finale with La Passion...must try...delightful! and a Chocolate Tart and an Apricot Crumble brought to the table by the Spudette's pal and the Missing Pan owner/baker Grace Chia. Please check out their Organic Breads sold on the first floor, we have been buying our stash from The Swiss Butchery and had no idea they were baked by Grace and her posse. Absolute deliciousness!

Meal drawing to a close with the Spudette.

Celebrating Arul's birthday dinner at Pietrasanta, Singapore; Happy birthday Arul!

Prime Rib cooked medium rare to share

I decided to go vegetarian and have two starters as my mains. First up my favourite Eggplant Pamigiana.

The Cantonese boy in me craved a hot soup, and the Split Peas with Potatoes was a thick and hearty broth that warmed me up in our 26 degree "cold" spell.

Finished off with a very yummy Tiramisu, served on an ice-cold tile.

What a delightful night, with new friends! Thank you Arul!!

Sampling more of the best local fare