Lunch at Basil Inn/ City Hall & Former Supreme Court Open House

17 Oct (Sunday): The two iconic buildings which were symbolic of Singapore’s nationhood – City Hall and former Supreme Court – will be transformed into the new National Art Gallery. Before they will be transformed, there was an open house of these two buildings over the last two weekends.

Before heading to the open house, my parents and brother came to fetch me.  I suggested going to "The Basil Inn" at Downtown East for lunch first as my family like to eat Thai food and it is nearby.  It was pretty crowded and service was super slow.  We had to take our own utensils as the staff was too busy to serve us.  We ordered five dishes.                            

Green Curry (Chicken)

This was quite spicy and I advised my mum not to take it as she got a sore throat

Fried Rice

Minced Meat Omelette

Prawn Cakes with Thai sweet sauce (Recommended!)

Reached the former Supreme Court.  As the guided tours were all fully booked, we took the brochure and explored the place on our own.

First, we went to the "Court of Appeal"

Rotunda Library

This rotunda library used to hold the law library.  When the collection outgrew the circular space, the library was moved to the City Hall building and this room was converted to a police post!

Chief Justice's Chambers

The Y-shaped table is the only one in the building.

On the bookshelves, we saw the emblems featuring arms of the Inns of Court.

Next, we moved on to "Courtroom 1"

This is one of the four original courtrooms in the former Supreme Court.

We went to the FSC balcony to take more photos before going to the City Hall building.  I think Singapore is getting more and more beautiful.  Do you agree?

Parents

City Hall Building

Special Exhibition

Award-winning photos 

 "Reflection"

It is really amazing! 

City Hall Chambers

-  Used as a meeting room by the then Municipal Commisioners to discuss Singapore's development during the colonial age and hosting of official functions. 

 

The Basil Inn @ Downtown East

We were officially off duty at 12.30pm on Wednesday and I left school at 1pm for lunch. Tired and sick of canteen food, I decided not to have lunch in school on Wednesday. Since we could go off early, I decided to go Downtown East to place an order for Mother's Day cake at Emicakes and to have my lunch there as well. Walking around downtown east aimlessly looking for food, I spotted this small eatery "The Basil Inn" near Cheers. Scanning through the menu, they have 1-dish meal at an affordable price so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a plate of Phad Thai which cost $4.50 nett. Think this eatery was owned and run by 2 Thai aunties as I could hear them talking to each other in Thai. Thus, the food must be authentic right? Hmmm...   Here comes my plate of Phai Thai, doesn't look very appetizing but tastewise, it was really quite good.  However, the peanuts had gone soft and this had somehow spoiled the taste of the whole dish.

The place is quite small and you could see the auntie whipping up the dishes in the small little kitchen just behind the door.  Also, there is no air-conditioner here and can get a bit stuffy especially in hot afternoons like these few days when the average temperature is around 34 degree celsius.  Therefore, it is not really a good idea to have spicy Thai food in a hot afternoon.

Read about this eatery at HGW and realize it receives many good reviews from many people about their good food and affordability.  Maybe can try out the other dishes next time with hubby....  Erm... maybe at night when it is cooler.