We were looking for somewhere to eat after a film show in the Warehouse at Clarke Quay.
We liked the look of the Violet Oon Restaurant in Clarke Quay, Singapore. Satay bar and grill, just what we wanted.
I later looked up Oon to see who the Oons were, where they came from and what the name means. The Chinese name Oon is popular in Malaysia and Singapore (once both part of Malaya). The name means warm, soft or tender. A suitable name for a restaurant. I have friends named Oon as a family name (followed by the two one syllable first names). I am glad I looked that up.
We were shown to a lovely table for two by the window. Perfect.
Table for two at Violet Oon restaurant, Clarke Quay. Photo by Angela Lansbury
However, before we could order, the waiter told us, "I am so sorry. We are that serving only desserts and coffee."
Desserts
Now, I am a desserts person. Typical British, with a sweet tooth, from years of eating Cadbury's chocolate every day, not knowing that daily sweets, or sweets several times a day, is bad for teeth. The Swedes have known that for a long time and have a sweets only on Saturday policy. They sell huge volumes of sweets on Saturdays, yet have perfect teeth, according to a recent report.
I have since looked up the desserts. The set menu which you must order days in advance costs well over 100 dollars! So a chance to sit in a swanky restaurant and to try just a dessert at 10 or 15 dollars plus plus would have been a bargain. For ten dollars I could have had coconut ice cream. With cashew nut crumble. Does that mean crumbled cashew nuts, or a crumble with scattered cashew nuts? Either suits me. I love coconut. I love cashew nuts. Other desserts, of which I saw four listed, feature Gula melaka (sugar syrup). Yum.
However, meanwhile, my husband was intent on the kebab promised in the name of the restaurant. Clarke Quay has so many places. So he immediately jumped up to depart.
Alas, we have to try them another time. We and you, if you are ever anywhere in Singapore, have lots of opportunity, as they have branches at Ion, Orchard, right in the centre, by Orchard MRT station, and the National Kitchen in the National Gallery, 1 St Andrews Road.
Now that I know the meaning of the name I shall find it easy to remember them. Oon, like on, the O and the N in Ion, and O for Orchard. O for soothing. Oo, oon, soothing, soon.
I recall the good old days in Hatch End in North West London, England, when the little Italian restaurants were owner operated. If they closed for lunch at 2.30 pm or 3, but you were lunching and sat there drinking up your coffee, or ordering another cup, you could continue doing so. They never shut until the customer left. The same in the evening. Arrive early, sit by the bar and choose your drinks and order food. Ask for food which was not on the set menu, they would cook if for you, or suggest something similar, also off the menu. Sit beyond 11 pm or even midnight, the owner would stay, the chef would stay, you would get a free drink and the owner would, if you asked him, sit down at the table and talk.
I think that things have changed worldwide. Staff want to go home. Licensing hours are restricted. Workplace hours and rules have changed. Unionised thinking of that's my job or not my job has imposed a mindset. Or maybe I am used to effusive staff in Italy, England and the USA, rather than the Japanese and Chinese style of
I must say that the staff at this branch were prompt to approach us, told us what we needed to know immediately, and were polite and apologetic.
Despite this disruption, I did well out of my foray. Two venues in one hour. I love seeing new places. We found another outlet, Warehouse, which you can read about in my subsequent post. And still Violet Oon outlets to look forward to.
Violet Oon Opening times at Clarke Quay
6.00 to 10.30 pm.
Last orders for food 9.30 pm. Last orders for drinks, 10 pm.
Useful Website
https://violetoon.com/festive-offerings/
I like the look of the white coconut log cake. If price were no object. 68 Sing dollars.
Come back soon to see more photos.
About the Author
About the author of this blog
About the Author of this blog, Author Angela Lansbury
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books, including: Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
I also have a blog on comic poems.
Please share links to your favourite posts.
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