10 Pots Steambot and Grill is my best friend’s favourite restaurant, so when her birthday came around, I did not have to think twice about where to take her.

To be fair, I gave her several options, but deep down I already knew she would choose 10 Pots. She is not particularly adventurous when it comes to food, and most of the time she prefers sticking to places she already knows and loves. That is exactly why I knew she would pick 10 Pots without hesitation.

And I love 10 Pots too. The quality, the taste, the variety, and the all-you-can-eat menu are always a win for us. It has become one of our favourite places to eat and spend hours talking about life.

However, I have to admit that 10 Pots can be a little inconsistent at times. The last time I went there with my partner, it was quite disappointing. The restaurant was packed with customers, and it seemed like they were short-staffed. The sauce station was not replenished regularly, and there were not enough plates and sauce bowls available. We were also seated next to the window, which turned out to be a poor choice. With the hotpot steaming away and the afternoon heat coming through the glass, it became quite uncomfortable.

So, if you are planning to visit 10 Pots, here are a few tips from my experience.

• Try to avoid sitting near the window and choose a table closer to a fan if possible.
• Also, arrive before noon. The earlier, the better. Not only will you avoid the lunch crowd, but the overall dining experience tends to be much more pleasant.

As usual, lunch was only half the plan because no outing is complete without coffee. This time, we finally decided to try Luckin Coffee, a place we had been curious about for quite some time.

When I spotted the Sea Salt Caramel Latte on the menu, I was immediately tempted. Too bad that when it came time to place our order, the Sea Salt Caramel Latte was unavailable. I ended up choosing the Buttercream Latte. Honestly, you can rarely go wrong with a buttercream latte, and this one was absolutely delicious. Both of us loved it, and I can already see myself ordering it again in the future.

For her birthday gift, I bought her something related to a face-lifting device, which I knew she would love. When you are around the same age as your best friend, you tend to understand exactly what she would appreciate. At this stage of life, anything related to ageing gracefully somehow feels like a really practical gift. 😁

Thankfully, she loved it.

To Eqa, thank you for being one of the greatest people I have ever met. Thank you for staying by my side through so many different versions of me. Thank you for protecting my name even when I am not around and for being the kind of friend everyone wishes they had.

As we continue to grow older, I hope we become softer, wiser, and kinder. I hope we never stop laughing at the same silly things that make no sense to anyone else. Most importantly, I hope we continue to carry ourselves with elegance, confidence, and grace through every season of life.

Happy Birthday, my dear friend.

 Love,
– Auri Duham 🌻