Primeval

I took Colin for his birthday dinner tonight – an early celebration, since I’d be away on the actual date. We went to Astons Prime on Joo Chiat Road. Hin and Karina introduced us to this place. It’s a steak house, nothing fancy but has good quality cuts for decent prices. The last time I was there I had the kurobuta pork, which was as good as Hin made it out to be.

A CARNIVORE’S WET DREAM

Tonight, I had some baby back ribs and Colin had a 250 g slab of wagyu, medium rare. Two Japanese guys who were seated nearby heard Colin mentioning “wagyu” and turned around to ask him if he was Japanese. Haha! When they learned that it was on the menu they got really excited, but I think they were a little disappointed when the waiter told them that the meat was actually from the US (no, they didn’t order it).

The verdict: wagyu was good, baby back ribs were pretty tasty but I’ll go for the kurobuta again next time.

Not everyone in the restaurant was enjoying a good meal, though. While we were having our starters, I noticed a couple with two young kids and their maid sitting at the table next to us. They were all eating except for the maid. We figured she probably had her dinner earlier, seeing as the purpose of her being there with the couple was obviously to watch over their kids. Perhaps the poor maid hadn’t eaten yet and would only have her dinner when they got back. Either way, I thought it was really mean of the family to have her there, watching as they enjoyed a meal which in total probably cost about half her salary for the month. OK, if you don’t want to fork out $30 for her dinner, then don’t bring her along. Have her watch your kids at home. Or better yet, watch your damn kids yourself. It’s like some cruel joke to have her just sit there while everyone else stuffs their faces. These days, expecting someone to care about anyone other than themselves is just too much to ask. Forget apathy. Whatever happened to plain old courtesy? Maybe all that meat and the smell of blood triggered something primeval in these people, in both appetite and behaviour.

 

PHOTO BY FLY ON THE WALL. NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION.