BATH, UK: Places we ate, and ate, and ate

 

Despite the tireless exploitation of the word "Bath" every time I mentioned I'd be "going to Bath with 3 friends", Bath really did feel like one long bath. When it rains in Singapore, it pours seriously for about half an hour before stopping completely. In Europe however, it trickles down endlessly like water dripping from a broken tap. 

In a way, the weather just made the promise of a warm and hearty meal with three of your equally rain-soaked friends all the more welcome. Surprisingly, it was one of the best trips I'd made while in University - not because there was a lot to see or do, but because of the company. I honestly don't think it matters where you are in the world, as long as you're with the right people. 

AQUA Italia

Lobster Ravioli

The food in Bath wasn't particularly exceptional, but it wasn't completely lackluster either. 
I didn't like how the lobster ravioli at Aqua Italia was presented, like bits of your intestine loped onto a lazy susan. The filling lacked any flavour and was decidedly bland. Either way, I was grateful for a hot meal after the the rowing in the rain all afternoon. 


Panasia Oriental Restaurant

Panasia came recommended by a few websites and we stopped here after cycling around Bath. I ordered my favourite thai dish, green curry chicken, but the curry was disappointingly un-spicy having been tailored to western tastebuds. The pad thai and grilled fish however, redeemed the restaurant a little. Apparently Panasia is award-winning, but then again there aren't many Thai restaurants in Bath to compete with it. 


OPA: Meze Restaurant & Bar 

OPA was a rose among the thorns. The portions were relatively substantial and my grilled sea bream had been cooked to just the right point - tender but not undercooked. The flavour of the herbs had permeated the meat, and with a drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of lemon, it made for a refreshingly satisfying meal. 

Some cafe in Bath Abbey near the Roman Baths

Unfortunately I no longer remember the name of this cafe, but it was around the Roman Baths Museum. For cakes that were sitting out in the open without a cover, these remained heart-stoppingly, wonderfully moist, with the citrus and nutty flavours melting on the tongue like ice cream on a hot day. Combine the cakes with teapig tea and the kind of conversation you have while it drizzles outside, and you have the perfect way to spend a late afternoon. 

Bath is one of those trips you can do in 2 days and appreciate for its Roman-esque buildings and cobblestoned pavements reminiscent of the scenes in a Jane Austen novel. London pulses with frustrated traffic and a stream of all kinds of people. Bath, on the other hand, is a step into a world where a horse-drawn carriage wouldn't look out of place.