Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

My birthday buddy and I go way back.
Back to our awkward teen years and cringe-worthy webcam group projects, from spending break time discussing absolutely nonsensical topics to filming a self-choreographed segment to a then-popular Franco-pop track.

As the years passed, it was inevitable that the frequency of our meetups dwindled due to schedule and financial restrictions. Semi-annual gatherings transformed into annual appointments, with a few sporadic meals in between.

​The quoted individual recently returned from a three-week trek and, though it was yet her turn to walk down the aisle, I had the opportunity of catching up with her over a celebratory affair.

With a freshly-washed mane - a rarity, I dare exclaim - a crush velvet gown, and heels (another sight to behold), she nearly towered over me, someone who always prioritizes comfort over charisma. The ensemble was fit for a wedding, especially that of immediate family.

​I was sadly not seated at Table 7, but my tablemates and general positioning within the hall compensated for that. Before each plate was a dainty butterfly cut-out, crafted in a similar manner to the glittery wedding invitation I had belatedly received from my birthday buddy. Glasses filled to the halfway point with champagne were set before each plate; ceramic tea cups and empty wine glasses beside it.
Seating was spacious, for the dining hall was vast. I was nestled between a few foreign faces near the dance floor, which meant a stellar view of the evening's happenings.

​The menu was presented in both Chinese and English, thoroughly depicting a classic Chinese dinner lineup. It wasn't my style, but  my insider informed us that the decision had been owed to familial preference.

​Jellyfish strips were thankfully not spicy, but very choppy - atrociously so. I wasn't intrigued to sample the roasted pork strips, though my tablemates concluded that it was neither crunchy nor bore the desired ratio of crispy skin to flesh. Next came the individual crab claws, which was characterized by thick batter and stiff flesh, resulting in an overly rigid assembly.

​Shark Fin Soup was on the salty side with an abundance of mushrooms but minimal shark fin - Premiere, or even Elegance, had better The single scallops we received were surprisingly tasty; all greens were heavily doused in oil.

For every ten-course supper, my stomach tends to reach threshold by the halfway point, capping at five out of ten dishes. As such, the steamed bass, lobster, questionably red-tinged free range chicken, fried rice, and egg noodles were either left untouched or subtly slid to the carb enthusiast to my right.

​Food quality was strictly average. On a lighter note, the bartender was welcoming and offered up a Shirley Temple with vodka (after confirming my age). It may as well have earned the title of my new favourite cocktail, not that I knew many alcoholic terms outside of beer and makgeolli to start.
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In addition, the photobooth was probably the best out of all the weddings attended thus far. In fact, we were so engrossed in the endeavour that dessert time came and gone in the blink of an eye. Tables were cleared, leaving nothing behind - not even water glasses nor the wedding gifts, mini plants that majority of attendees had not picked up with enough swiftness. Most items had been hurriedly tossed out as the event came to a close.

​Having been anticipating red bean soup, laying eyes on the assortment available yielded eyes wide with amazement. I dove straight for the tiramisu and took a slice and a half back to my now-deserted table and munched away with glee; it was a stellar round of cake, and likely the best morsel of food I had ingested that evening.
Service hadn't been shabby either, until the lights dimmer and a rush of clean-up procedures came into play. Bathrooms featured sticky floors but decently clean stalls.

​Dismal sustenance and tacky floorboards aside, the dance scene was absolutely remarkable. Dimmed lights, coloured mood rays, dance-ready tracks, and even atmosphere accents like smoke and bubbles were present to ensure that the younger crowds had a great time even after countless others had departed.

All in all an enthralling evening, I had a great time catching up with the groom's family, as well as meeting some new, interesting faces.