A Dinner Party

Welcome to #SublimeSunday, a tag presenting you with the unique opportunity to post something a bit different, wacky, crazy or just whatever takes your fancy, initiated by @c0ff33a ☕️

And also #BeautifulSunday initiated by @ace108

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A group of friends decided that they will throw a dinner party for me on my birthday. Actually, it was more or less, (minus one plus two), the same group that I went to Malacca with recently. One of them offered his place for the dinner party. He said he will cook a few dishes, and the rest of the gang can contribute the drinks, and cakes and whatever they see fit. All the birthday boy had to do was to show up. That suited me just fine.

This friend of mine, let's call him Ernest, is an artist. He has a 'touch of class'. When he decides to do something, the standard is there - no half-hearted efforts. For him, it is either do it with class, or don't do it at all. So although it was supposedly an informal sit down dinner, he put in a lot of work for the evening.

Ernest is an excellent cook. He cooked a sumptuous meal for all of us. No one in the group was unimpressed. He cooked a dinner for thirteen - yep, such an unlucky number. In the end, four begged off at the last moment, one for health issues, and the other three claimed work commitment. Of course, Ernest was peeved. How rude to cancel at the last moment! However, he was quickly pacified, when his guests asked that he allow them to take the extra food with them - because the food was so delicious they want to share them with their family. I am sure no chef will remain peeved after hearing that. So, it's - "Oh well, one's loss is another's gain'.

We all agreed that the food was better than what most restaurants offered. You would too, if you were there.

Prawns with black pepper and leek.

Chicken - looks like oven cooked.

Scallops with sea-cucumber and onions. This is stewed, I think. I was too busy eating, when some of them were asking how it was done. I regret not paying attention.

Beef stew. Absolutely delicious.

A big plate of Noodles with a host of ingredients in it.

There was another dish of steamed Pork Spare Ribs. The photographer missed it because the dish was late to arrive at the table. By then everyone was happily digging in, and the Pork Spare Ribs were conveniently forgotten.

A photo of the dining table with partial assemblance of the evening's food.

As usual, in between mouthful of food, there was much reminiscence, jokes and laughter.

And what is a birthday without a birthday cake. There was some fruits too.

The advantage of holding the dinner at someone's home, is that we do not have to eat and leave. We can stay and continue our drinking and chatting into the night, long after the food has digested.

Time flies when you are having fun, and the night wore away very quickly. Soon, it was time for some to leave. Someone suggested a game of mahjong. So, four of us rose to the occasion and had a quick round of mahjong, while those who remained chatted on.

The game ended at a quarter past one, with me having $20 lesser in my pocket. It was time to call it a night after a very enjoyable evening/night. I think we are doing that again on the 14th of December. This time, we are planning an afternoon/evening event. So, we old folks can go home in time for our beauty sleep.

It sure was a most enjoyable and memorable birthday celebration.

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