Chilli Padi, Joo Chiat

We went to Chilli Padi in the Joo Chiat branch for Father's birthday lunch. We ordered ala carte from the menu, which were Nonya dishes. The restaurant was not that crowded for a Saturday noon, so we could eat in comfort and peace. The decor was done in unabashed Nonya style of course. Chilli Padi is comparable to the other popular Nonya restaurant nearby, Kim Choo.

For starters, there was Achar as the appetiser, then followed by Kueh Pie Tee (cups of grated mang kuang with prawn, peanut and chilli). There was Chap Chye (mixed veggies), Assam Curry Fishhead, Itek Sio (which was salted duck), strips of Honey Pork, Sotong Hitam (squid in black sauce), and Mee Goreng (noodles are a must for birthdays symbolic of longevity). For desserts, we had Durian Chendol and Pulot Hitam. Overall I think I liked the curry fishhead and the salted duck and the honey pork.

We spent the afternoon shopping and walking around before heading home in the evening to cut cake. We got a real small chocolate cake because we always could not finish the cake. The round cake looked kinda cute, overwhelmed by all the 68-year-old candles. And it was the first time I tasted a chocolate cake that was not too sweet nor heavy at all, which was what we like.