I learnt about PeraMakan when they had a stall at the HGW Big Eat Out charity event. My colleagues who were at the event were raving about the rendang and food in general but I was so stuffed that I simply had no space in my stomach for anymore food especially Peranankan which can be quite rich (esp the gravies).

Now I've not had much Peranakan food here in Singapore (although I used to really enjoy the now defunct Soul Kitchen helmed by Damien D'Silva) but my friend suggested Peranakan possibly since that you-know-what show seems to be on everyone's mind these days.

My friend and I - let's just call him Robert Zhang - had lunch here yesterday (Sunday) - he says that it tends to get very packed here on Fridays and the weekends so reservations are advised.

We ordered the ayam buah keluak ($16) and the portion was really quite sizeable and a little too much for the 2 of us. The black nut gravy was rich, very "pang" and enjoyable - although I remember Soul Kitchen's version to be slightly better (but in any case that is a thing of the past). The sotong panggang ($14) was also good - juicy grilled sotong marinated in spices and served with a side of achar. We each ordered a soup - I had the bakwan kepiting ($5) - minced pork balls filled with bamboo shoots and crab meat - while Bob had the hee peow ($7) - cabbage, fish maw, prawn and pork balls in a rich fish and chicken broth. The hee peow came with 3 balls (prawn, pork and fish balls) and both our soups were a rich hearty no-MSG (as with all dishes here) almost milky chicken broth. Excellent stuff.

I especially liked my drink - lime juice with aloe vera ($4.50) - very refreshing, not too sweet, and best of all came with nice chunky fresh aloe vera cubes.

The best part of the meal for me had to be the dessert - I was torn between the burbur cha cha, chendol, sago melaka and their house specialty durian pengat ($6) - Penang-style durian mousse served chilled with sweet potatoes and yam. Oh man this was heaven in a glass. The durian mousse was excellent - especially the consistency - and I am not sure about this but it sure tasted like there was some coconut milk (and possibly even some gula melaka, I dare say?) mixed into it. Sweet potato cubes (didn't find any yam?) were at the bottom of the glass to signal the almost-end of the dessert. This is a must-try if you dine here. A must.

Top marks for service here - there was luuurve not only in the cooking but the thoughtful service extended to us. I liked that the waiters here were gentle and genuniely helpful and had initiative. One example - Robert was nursing a very bad cough and without being asked a waiter brought me a glass of cold water and served Bad Boy Bob a glass of warm water for his cough.

A casual chat with the owner who was present that day and it turns out that The Little Nonya has definitely had a positive impact on business, not to mention orders for babi pontek has rocketed because a certain character in the show was always cooking it (?).

I like this place - unassuming, thoughtful service, good homely cooking, reasonable prices. Little wonder why the slogan of this place is "great food cooked with love" (or something like that) - after all it is a great deal of effort to cook Peranakan.