Address: 238 Thomson Road, Novena Square Shopping Centre, Singapore 307683

I admit it. I am behind the times. While everyone else had already patronised Pepper Lunch, this would be my virgin trip there. I had always been put off by the strange smell of beansprouts being cooked over the hot plates and the huge crowds that seem to be a perpetual occurrence there.

The setting was familiar. Clear diagrams indicating the various types of food available. Cashiers behind counters waiting for orders to be taken. Clean, bring and functional dining areas. Yup, it was a fast food restaurant with a twist. The food served was japanese style western food.

We had the Hamburger Steak Set (S$11.80, I think the final price was discounted by S$2 due to a promotion they had with the beef items). The waiter that brought our order to our table was super enthusiastic about giving us instructions on cooking the steak dish. The enthusiasm was rather infectious. We were diligently flipping and poking our meat. Adding various condiments such as sweet onion sauce, honey brown sauce, garlic soy sauce…

I have always been a sucker for eggs done sunny side up. Give me any dish with a egg cracked in and it would instantly raise my evaluation of the dish by several notches. The sight of the yellow glop in the middle of the frothy whites just gets my juices up (I am using a hyperbole obviously… the sight of eggs doesn’t really turn me on).

The meal was, I felt, value for money. The beef was cooked nicely and the various sauces complemented the ingredients well. Well..I am still not partial to the strange smell of beansprouts getting cooked.