Sunday afternoons are usually reserved for taking it easy, but this one had a different agenda. My wife wanted to get her nails done before the work week began, and naturally, I got drafted into the outing.
Apparently, getting a nail appointment these days is harder than getting tickets to a popular concert. Sure enough, when we arrived, we were told that he was free till 5 p.m. Rather sitting down there and getting on with it, we decided to make the most of the unexpected free time. The plan was simple—grab lunch somewhere nearby, after which she could head back for her appointment while I spent a leisurely couple of hours around the lakes.
Just around the corner, we stumbled upon ONETON—a takeaway counter with a cosy little dining space next door. With seating for barely sixteen people across three tables and a wall counter, it was compact, practical and inviting.
We were warmly welcomed by Biman, as we later learnt his name, and he turned out to be one of those genuinely pleasant people who instantly make you feel at home. We chatted with him throughout our meal, and his enthusiasm for the food was infectious.
To begin, we kept things simple with chilled glasses of Thums Up, each served with a slice of lime. Then came our first dish—the Osaka Sushi. Eight beautifully presented pieces that disappeared from the plate far quicker than we had expected.
Next up was the Devil's Pork, followed by Biman's personal recommendation—the ONETON Special Bacon Rice. What an incredible suggestion that turned out to be! The rich, smoky flavour of the bacon combined with perfectly cooked rice and eggs transformed what could have been an ordinary rice dish into something truly memorable. It was comfort food elevated to another level.
Feeling nostalgic, I couldn't resist ordering an American Chopsuey as well. By this point, Biman politely suggested that we might have ordered a little too much for just the two of us. We laughed and explained that we were there to sample as much of the menu as we could, fully expecting that we'd end up packing the leftovers for dinner. As it turned out, he was absolutely right—and so were we. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and had enough packed away for our evening meal.
Just when we thought the experience was over, Biman returned with a pleasant surprise. Without us asking, he walked over carrying a short-stemmed glass holding a generous scoop of their handcrafted Cookie Dough Ice Cream, made in-house. "You have to try this," he insisted.
One spoonful was all it took to understand why.
Restaurants are often remembered for their food, but occasionally it's the people who make the experience unforgettable. ONETON gave us both.
Three things will definitely bring me back: Biman's warm hospitality, the phenomenal ONETON Special Bacon Rice, and that outstanding handcrafted Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
Not bad for an afternoon I never wanted to be on in the first place.
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