Black Pepper Crab, Durian Lingers...

And did I mention Durian lingers? Tuesday night we went out for dinner, about 12 of us from the office. It's always nice to go out with the bunch who work here, we laugh easily together and enjoy eachother's company, and the team love the fact that I'll try almost anything, within reason, which leads me to the title of the blog tonight.
Chad suggested we go for black pepper crab, and although the crabs were a bit smaller than usual last night, the taste was incredible. We headed out after work to Joo Chat neighborhood, which was quite quaint with older low rise buildings and deep, deep curbs.
We all piled onto the yellow plastic chairs of this corner instiution and Chad ordered like a pro. We chatted for a bit, but once the food came, it was serious business.
There are actually two popular crab flavors, one is chili crab, which I was not as fond of as the sauce was so spicy you lost the actual flavor of the crab, and then the pepper crab, which was fantastic! I can't wait to have it again.
In spite of absolutely stuffing ourselves with crab, Chad suggested we go across the street to a Durian cafe. Durian is a fruit grown locally that is very popular here. Honestly, it smells so distinctive you could not mistake it for anything else! The flavor is equally as distinctive, and Chad (again, he's such a pro) orders two D24, which is a bitter sweet flavor of durian, and the highest grade. The actual process of chopping open the spiky fruit is quite fascinating, and the fruit grown in little clusters inside a pilth.
How would I describe my first durian experience? I would just say I am glad I tried it. I think it is an acquired taste and if you grew up with the taste and flavor and texture and smell, I can see how it would be missed if you no longer had it around.
I would not make a special trip for it, but I have to thank the gang here for giving me the chance to try.