Couple of months ago- it was National Day itself- a friend and I headed downtown for dinner, and fireworks.
I hadn't known what it was were going to have.
But my friend said we'd be eating at a place somewhere near where the fireworks would be, so, of course I went along.
There aren't many dinner spots downtown where one can have a reasonably priced dinner and still get a clear view of fireworks, so I had at first assumed we'd be at a place close to Clarke Quay or Boat Quay right near the Padang.
As it was, I soon found myself at Capitol Building, and at an American-style diner, to boot.
I don't know what it is that made my friend decide that a burger dinner on Singapore's National Day would be good, but patriotism is done my way, so on this day itself I didn't quite care.
Broadway American Diner describes itself as an all-American-themed diner, and no doubt, upon stepping in, you feel it- decor and menu wise.
What makes this place interesting is that the surroundings aren't walled in, and so, even as you're having your meal in a place with red cushioned chairs (aka 50s American diner style) and with pictures of Hollywood movie icons from the 50s-60s all on the walls, you're actually looking out to the entrance of the Capitol Theater, and it is as glamorous as it can be.
Of course it is not for every performance that everyone dresses in cocktail or evening- there're some performances that don't have a dress code, I'm sure- but the vibes, whether formal or casual, then or now, remain the same.
Perhaps it is the environment of Capitol Building, Capital Theater and the restaurants themselves.
Every place is similarly immersive.
And no less than here at Broadway American Diner where the menu straightaway tosses you back a couple of decades with burger offerings like Pull Pork Burger, Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger, Double Cheese Black Angus Beef & Bacon Burger, and Buttermilk Chicken & Cheese Burger.
I was quite tempted to go for the Buttermilk Chicken (I fancy the flavor of buttermilk chicken) but then we were sharing, I can do either chicken or beef, and so we opted for the Double Cheese Black Angus Beef & Bacon Burger instead.
It was so good.
I mean, I've had burgers, and some of them from reputed places with reputed flavors, but not every place has a burger served on a home-baked sesame wheat bun that's soft and fluffy all at the same time.
The patty was thick, yet surprisingly moist, and tender in texture.
It wasn't wet to the degree where the meat fell apart at first bite, but neither was it dry or tasteless that made you feel like you were really chomping through processed meat. The lettuce too was cold and fresh and I delighted in the juicy sliced tomatoes that gave this fresh burst of juice to the warmth, grilled flavors of the meat.
Of course the sauce- it might have been mayonnaise, it might have been honey mustard, or a combination of both- was thick and creamy (Americans don't stinge on their cream) and we liked it so much we dipped our fries in it and requested for another.
I had thought, that with such and such a meal, we wouldn't be having anything else.
But my friend decided dessert was good to have.
So we chose the waffle.
The Mixed Fruit Waffles with a scoop of chocolate ice cream.
They were really good!
Especially since they came stacked up like this instead of one whole round by itself (which is how most ice cream waffles are)
What made this arrangement lovely was how we could deconstruct the tower, leave the ice cream on just one quarter part of the waffle, layer the fresh cream on another quarter of the waffle, and then munch our way through the other two quarters without having to worry that the melting ice cream would make the whole waffle soggy- like most ice cream waffles tended to do.
The ice cream was good.
The fruits were also good.
So much did I like how this dessert was done that I tried not to waste the chocolate sauce and slid the waffle around as much as I could to get as much of the sauce.
There're more offerings here at Broadway American Diner than just burgers and dessert, by the way.
If you're a fan of American-style hot dogs, they've got things like Frankfurter Roll and Smoked Beef Hot Dog, and both will have toppings like Gruyere cheese, Sauerkraut, Capers, Mustard and Russian Dressing. For something different, the Spicy Beef Sausage will have Arugula, Mozzarella Cheese and Chili Con Carne.
Their appetizers are not to be left out too.
So are their drinks.
One might go for an experience of Chili Cheese Nachos, Fried Buffalo Wings or Mac & Cheese.
Or go straight for their milkshakes, which have classic flavors like Double Chocolate Fudge, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Mascarpone, but here- what with them being in the Capitol Building- they've got Ondeh Ondeh, Banana, Coconut, Taro and Mango too.
I'd like to try the Mac & Cheese at another time.
Same for the Ondeh Ondeh milkshake too.