Sunday, February 06, 2022

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, Clarke Quay Central

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, Clarke Quay Central

We've heard of this restaurant (#02-72/75/77 Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, tel : +65 6339 7508) for a long time. Really long time. Have seen it numerous times when we're in the vicinity but it had never occured to us to eat here until recently.

I don't think there is a finger to be put on the labelling of the food here. One could see influences of Malay, Chinese and Peranakan in the dishes which kinda makes it pretty local. While they're serving nasi padang, they're not exactly Padang styled. But let's not get technical.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, menu

The menu's up front so you know what you're getting and at how much. Assuming that one already is familiar with what they were serving. We ordered quite a bit and ended up close to a post lunch stupor. You know, curries and rice tends to do that.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, mutton rendang

That's their mutton rendang. Not bad. Some parts of the meat were tender and some less so. Altogether pretty well done with the nutty mutton-y gravy which went so well with rice.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, eggs

Hard boiled eggs with sambal. Always good for me.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, fishball curry

These were my second curry fish ball experience. The first time was in Hong Kong and I never liked those there because of the gummy texture. These ones were pretty regular fishball textured. Gravy had a bit of heat and if your palate hasn't been confused or overwhelmed yet, the flavour of the fishball can be detected in them.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, sayur lodeh

Chicken rendang also pretty good. It's another dish with great gravy to go with rice.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, sayur lodeh

Sayur lodeh I think. Or maybe just sayur. Or curry vegetable. I ordered by pointing. I'm not sure what they call it but it's vegetables (mostly cabbage) in a thin coconut gravy. Still savoury and lemak but I generally prefer the gravy thicker and the vegetables less crunchy. 

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, chicken begedil

They have chicken begedil. Basically larger than usual begedil with minced chicken in the potatoes. Peppery and not bad methinks. The flavour's different from the regular Malay renditions of the dish but not different enough to be unrecognizeable as good old begedil.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, curry

More curry for the rice. 

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, cucumber salad

And a refreshing lemon or lime infused cucumber salad as a counter to all the rich gravies.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, rice

All these dishes were made to be paired with steamed rice.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, chendol

Chendol's okay. While we wouldn't slap a mediocre label on it, there's better. Out there. What I couldn't understand was why they had to serve this in a glass like this, fill it to the brim and make it so difficult to stir.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, coffee

Coffee's no good here. For Hainanese styled coffee, one can get better at The Ship. Or even Han's. Note to self : go at 12-12.30pm the next time for the other items that aren't ready at the opening hour.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee, Clarke Quay Central

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