| On Food and Policing |
May 8, 2008 8:21 pm
Mood: Bemused, 654 Views | Last night I had dinner with some Japanese clients, who brought me to a Korean restaurant where we pigged out on bimbab, grilled meats of all sorts and hot pot.
I thought it was a little unusual that they brought me to a Korean restaurant but I suppose it is because I have gained a reputation for being a bit of a foodie.
Most times, the hosts or the people I meet will try to bring me to the local food hot spots or exotic cuisine. Or they will always tell me about the delectable treasures to be found. Each visit offers a new Aladdin's cave of culinary delight.
Yesterday night was no exception. I'd been told of a Japanese eatery with the most authentic and delicious chanko and I am determined to try it out before I leave. And another friend told me of a new Indian restaurant opened till midnight with the best Indian food outside of India.
Right, another one to add to the list. It's a pity Sir LongSufferingHubby, aka MM's hubby, is only around for a couple of days or I would drag him with me. Still we are cramming two dinners and dessert into tonight and a hot pot lunch tomorrow.
I am fortunate that people are cognizant that I like to try new things and prefer food that is interesting, indigenous and totally delicious. It has prompted them to try to one-up the list of special eateries.
Chinese friends would bring me to the best Chinese restaurant to try the in-house century egg that is made by the chef from a special recipe and technique that makes the eggs wonderfully soft, silky and creamy, yet with the distinctive bite that startles and entices the taste buds without offending the senses.
They would drive 40 minutes to a remote estate where they serve the most unctuous ox marrow in a headily spiced broth. They thrill to the opportunity to teach me how to eat this unusual delicacy and it is a noisy and exuberant table of pleased hosts when I express my delight at this unique taste and experience.
Malay friends bring me to the largest smorgasbord of Indonesian nasi padang I have seen outside of Indonesia. They order such an array of food that it requires two long tables groaning at the weight of our greed.
Indian friends bring me to a Japanese restaurant serving the best yakitori in town and we run through the entire sake menu. They have offered to bring me to a Vietnamese restaurant this time where they have the tastiest pho and coffee they promise will rival ours at the cafe. Now that is a throw-down I have to sample.
Last night, Sir LongSufferingHubby, Justine and I spoke at great length about the ills of Singapore. Justine is the local expert on all the dastardly going-ons and devious shenanigans of his country. We gasped and widened our eyes at some of the truly, unbelievably underhanded stories.
It was perhaps a cap on the evening that as Justine sent me home, we saw loads of policemen roaming the streets. I'd noticed them earlier when I was having dinner with my clients. They were out in force, lugging their guns as they trolled the busy streets of the tourist belt. An unusual sight that only happens when a terrorist warning, potential drug bust or major international conference involving some royalty or super power is concerned.
The last time I saw such a force of policing was when that Mas Selamat bloke had done a runner. I asked Justine if he had somehow made it back just to play cat and mouse games with the local authorities, to further the embarrassment.
I was reminded of the days after 911 when I was here for disaster recovery conferences. We were actually assigned a coterie of Gurkha guards and the local semi-police security force. I have never been comfortable with gun-toting bodyguards. I have always felt that I might be in more danger from them than whichever misbegotten person who might wanna take a shot at me.
The police in Singapore has also never impressed me.
The ones Justine and I saw were obviously part of the riot patrol as they were wielding the clear shields of self-protection. Justine remarked sarkily that they seemed more interested in checking me out then scouting the streets.
What is going down in Singapore?
It is interesting that a small island with such an obsession with food is also a land easily buffeted within and without. I am going to be extra careful when I go out with Sir LongSufferingHubby tonight. My spidey senses tell me something is brewing. Perhaps it is best to avoid the large tourist areas and keep to safer heartlands of culinary discovery.
It would really suck if our pig-out was interrupted.
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