Seriously. No pun intended. Nor it is a laughing matter. It is really called Bosses. Or 黑社會 (heishehui) in Mandarin. Also known as....the triad society.
Scared or not?
Together with CityGal (our visiting guest) and co-host Xiu Long Bao, we braced ourselves and paid the Bosses a visit. Braced breathes a whole new set of connotations (courtesy of my dark, past experience), including tastebuds assault and daylight robbery. Ok, the latter is an absolute exaggeration but Bosses' offerings certainly don't come that cheap. Their men got to eat too, you know.
It was excruciatingly interesting to watch XLB devouring her own kind, which cost S$7.00 (6 pieces) and reminded me of a documentary on the National Geographic Channel sometime back. But I sensed no remorse nor sympathy towards those tiny Shanghainese Steam Meat Dumplings as the skin was rather thick while the minced meat was on the salty side. Juice (or fat) was abundant, though. Just one piece and I left it to XLB to proceed with her sacrificial ritual.
A Chinese New Year special, the Claypot Rice With Assorted Chinese Waxed Sausages, at S$10.80 came in a petite portion that could feed 0.08 of me. The opening of the lid revealed a (fingers) countable amount of both pork and liver sausages with a few strips of blanched greens. The emulsion that dressed the fluffy rice lacked the anticipated waxy aroma and savoury taste. I would have also preferred a thicker, richer sauce. However, the sausage cuts were fresh and flavourful, with a touch of smokiness to boost.
The Fried Seafood Mushroom La Mian (S$14) reminded me of Internal Affairs and The Departed; wonderful ensemble of ingredients (or cast) sans the brilliance of taste, unlike those two award-winning movies. The la mian or handmade, stretched flour noodle was al dente and tasted subtly sweet while the selection of seafood (which consisted of prawns and squid cutlets) was fresh and tender. Choice of vegetables included cabbage shreds, mushrooms, julienned carrot strips and scallion. The single, major flaw turned out to be most important component, the taste. The sauce was just too sweet for me. Perhaps oyster sauce was overused. A drier version would have been appreciated too.
Like all gangsta flicks, there has to be a spark of romance with a pretty damsel while ours came in form of a signature dessert called Flowy Custard Bun (S$6.00 for 3 pieces). Also known as quicksand bun, the dainty sunset-coloured buns were pretty pretty. Served steaming hot, a bite of the bun revealed a soft skin that was neither too thin nor thick. And the filling...oh, the wonderful filling oozed like sand out of a shattered hourglass. Or at least, that's how I felt. Mainly consisted of custard and salted egg yoke, the golden filling was smooth and rich. Taste-wise, a perfect sweet/savoury combination. Lovely.
We also had a pot of Winter Pu Erh Tea at S$4.00. And instead of a pot of lime plant, we were presented with snacks (walnuts) at S$3.80.
The visit ended in peace. All in one piece. Personally, I thought there were more misses than hits. I loved the creative and sophisticatedly dark concept but I guess I will not be paying a visit anytime soon. Why? Recite the name and ask me again....*shudders*
Hope to see you more often in the roaring city, CityGal!
Bosses
No.1, Harbour Front Walk
#02-156, VivoCity
Singapore 098585
Tel: (+65) 63769740
