Shopping and dinner in christmas-y Orchard.
Pictures from Orchard Central. I wonder why Orchard Central is missing out on all the crowd that it deserves. It’s not very far away from Somerset 313, yet everyone’s there, and not walking to OC to shop. Mei and I explored the entire building, there’s A LOT of retail space unused, especially on the higher floors. Empty shop spaces along long stretches of corridors, hidden shops in some corner, not getting any customers at all, on a Saturday night. How do they even survive when pitted against the brand names like Forever 21, Mango, Zara right next to them in Somerset 313? Some famous blogshops could fill those retail spaces up and bring crowd to that god-forsaken place. I reckon the rental is cheaper too.
They set up these temporary shops on level 1, which are still getting some crowd. But I feel that they are treated like tourist attractions more than actual shops. People just stand around and ogle, pose and take photographs of the beautiful ‘cottages’. They don’t actually go into them.
Singing in the rain. This choir was belting out Christmas songs right outside OC.
Then we headed to 313 Somerset and it was a total different story. So many people were dining and shopping, it was so crowded! Especially the stretch of al fresco pubs and restaurants, the whole atmosphere was screaming, “Night-life”!
We settled for Thai food at Absolute Thai as it was so prominent (just right in front of Somerset MRT exit), and we could people watch. Also, the food looked so good!
Clear Tom Yum soup. Super spicy, but very appetitizing.
Fried beancurd and basil leaves. A very large portion, fit for a family of 4. We didn’t know, but it was so delicious that we finished everything we ordered. Not bad for two girls, especially for Mei, who eats very little.
OH their Pad Thai is heavenly. We were already very full with rice and the 2 dishes above, but when we tried this, we simply didn’t want to stop. You all have got to try it. Definitely a place to return to try other dishes. The portions are large, and price reasonable. We ate till we were bloated, but very satisfied.
Although it was raining the entire time and we were trapped in Far East Plaza and then couldn’t proceed to Cineleisure for our intended dinner at Shokudo, I had a lovely time. I wish I could bring Hammy to try the Thai food, but he’s just so ‘town-phobic’. Maybe one day…
