First of all, my home ain't filled with heavy wooden furniture and drapey just to get the records straight. Probably can't handle that with my medical history of asthma. Back to the topic of restaurant visits, i swooped down on the opportunity to dine in at ma maison @ bugis junction, one of the mainstay eateries on the second floor despite the seemingly high turnover rate in the region. stepping into the dark enclaves of the homey japanese diner, i was instantly charmed by the mismatched and almost random accessories adorning the shelves. quaint lamp shades, each a unique individual light up the dim settings. aside from the tiny wooden windows that allowed the passing of light, the entire place was in a state of constant nightfall. i remember thinking to myself, 'oh gosh, working here must be a chore. having to stay awake and all.'

ramaging through the menus and the tons of leaflets of product placement galore, we finally reached a verdict. the italian style hamburger steak with cheese and brown sauce for me and the beef stroganov with butter rice and egg for her.

hers.. a spectacle of glorious fluffy eggs over a bed of rice accompanied by a rich pool of warm beef stroganov tainted only by the slight meander of cream.

the hamburger steak. i gushed upon my first bite. moist all around with a vision of spices and a crown of fresh cheese brought the modest looking dish over the top. served in a portion that was 'just-right', it left me feeling satiated and full from contentment.

overall, dining in the homestyle restaurant was a rather novel experience, with many interesting details to boot such as the hefty hotel key handed to us for billing purposes. how clever. despite the dire service, i would perhaps make a second trip there on account of the honest, down-to-earth cuisine.

for more pictures, visit
http://fundamentally-flawed.blogspot.com/2009/12/dining-at-home-ma-maison.html