luke's

one of the loveliest things about having foodie friends is how sharing is caring, to quote ashley. and share she did with this review about luke's. as with most other times, there were a few abortive attempts before we finally made it to luke's and being the cheap date i am, i was very happy to have made it in time for the 4pm-7pm special*.

great deal aside, what impressed me the mostest mostest about luke's was the impeccable service. singers is infamous for awful service** and while tipping stresses me out***, i do think that it serves to motivate waitstaff. the moment we were seated at the bar counter, out came two steaming hot towels. ohmyword! while i'm too finicky to put "public" towels on my face but having it on my hands was deliriously refreshing. it was just like being on singaporeair :)

mad props to the bartender, who was was supremely attentive without being intrusive. he sort of hovered in the background but was ever ready with the top ups. the complimentary cornbread plate was also a very nice touch. plus, he pre-empted our every request, which i felt was noteworthy and pretty darn amazing. the only other place where i've had this level of service in singers is gunther's. 

mindful that we were headed for a lovingly prepared steamboat dinner right after, we stopped at half a dozen washed down with beer each. ok tell a lie, he had my beer and i got an additional charddy :) when we were done, we got another glorious hot towel each. so simple, yet such a good idea.

luke's was a series of good touches, from the music to the hot towel and comp-ed cornbread, with the attentive service being icing on the cake. can't wait to return for a blow out dinner next time. thanks ash for the recommendation, and thanks long-suffering manfriend for tea.

*half dozen oysters and draft beer (stella or hoegarden) for $25 from 4pm to 7pm

** something to be said about the mandatory 10% service charge, eh?

*** thank god i'm going out with someone who can count