An Astons Review

It feels good to be back at home, as much as Hongkong/Macau was very fun, I think I have to talk about this eating experience I had yesterday with 2 of my very good pals (and makan kakis) Jim and Zijian at Astons Specialities. Despite the fact that I've been there for 5 times before yesterday, I had not previously brought along my camera to capture the food in its glory. However, being the tourist that I was last week had temporarily induced me to bring my camera anywhere I went. Anyway without further ado, I shall share my extremely pleasant experience with my fellow makan kakis at this eatery.

Located at 119 East Coast Road, which is opposite Katong Mall, Astons Specialities isn't exactly easily accessible. Of the 6 times I went there, I drove on 3 occasions and took a ride on friend's cars in the other 3. I just figured that Bus 14 which goes to Clementi bus interchange is the Westerner's best bet to get there by public transport, but you might risk a severe butt-ache from the long and boring journey there. Still, the price and the quality of the food makes it a very big motivational factor which will tempt food lovers there. I will elaborate on this in greater detail shortly. Anyway, reached the place at 720 with mixed reactions. To my dismay, there was a queue forming outside the shop to go in for dinner, and we had to wait for approximately 15 minutes before going inside. However, there was something pleasant which I contemplated on ordering.



Yes, Wagyu Ribeye Beef. I have yet to figure out what grade 5/6 means, but I have heard much about it before on ieatishootipost.blogspot.com. (Link: http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/10/astons-wagyu-beef-promotion.html) Being rather used to and very comfortable with the normal ribeye extra cut steaks that go for $15.90, and the one I ate for the past 5 times (yes prior this trip ribeye was the only main I ordered, presuming that it was the best beef I ate locally for the price I was paying), I was very undecided on the Wagyu beef, since it was more than 2 times the price of a ribeye. However, fate (or rather my stomach) has it that I should spend $38.90 on this 200 gram of beef, and I am proud to say that it was money well spent!!







Sorry for the rather poor photos, but I have to say that given the poor lightning, the hunger which made my hands wobble, and that a point-and-shoot camera doesn't really make the cut for taking professional food photos, this was the best I could manage. For better pictures, visit the link just lines above. And sad to say pictures don't give off smells, if not I'd gladly share the heavenly aromas of this Wagyu beef with everyone. As the plate finds itself in front of me, it emits this wonderful aroma of a wonderful steak which was previously (and made all the more distinct by this steak) absent in the ribeyes.

While it is true that this steak is smaller, (as you can see in the comparsion of the normal ribeye and wagyu ribeye) this steak justifies the fact that quantity and quality are not equitable.



Anyway in perspective, this is Jim's steak, which is indeed bigger.



Zijian got himself the Ieat Super Burger (previously known as the SuperShiok burger. A better write-up can be found here, http://ieatishootipost.sg/2006/08/astons-supershiok-burger.html.





While it appears to be as big as a fist, looks are indeed deceiving. That is when you remove the nice crunchy fried onions.



Still, the combination of chopped sirloin, bacon, eggs, vegetables and Astons very own BBQ sauce makes this one tough burger to beat in the face of Burger King or Carls' Junior.







Shots of Zijian finishing his burger in a few swift moves. Its very delicious apparently.





Jim and I enjoying our steaks. While my steak was the first to be served, I was the last to finish my food, not that I'm a slow eater, but I'm serious when I mean that that the steak was so good I was savoring every mouthful of it. From the sweet smell of the steak, to the juiciness of the meat, the usually-fattening-fats also seemed to disappear into oblivion in your mouth once it enters your mouth, leaving you going 'wow' or 'wah' after every bite. I am serious. Hahaha.

I wasn't very full from the steak, since it was indeed not a very big piece, I decided to share another black pepper chicken steak with Zj.





There are many nice side dishes that Astons offer with their mains, but double serving of fries for anyone sharing their mains would be a very good choice. Sad to say, after tasting the tastiest piece of meat I have eaten in Western food so far, this what-would-usually-have-been-decent dish of chicken chop appeared plain and boring. A case of wrong timing for food appreciation. Hahaha.

The final bill was very reasonable, apart from the Wagyu which accounted for more than half the bill.



An average spending of S$25 per person with 4 main dishes which were uber solid in an ambiance respectable for any guys going on a budget date and trying to impress his date should visit this place!!

As you can see, Astons Specialities has become my favourite fast food/western food hangout recently, replacing Botak Jones which I have not patronised since I started going Astons. While it is true that standards are high, I am rather skeptical. Botak Jones started out pretty good too, but it seems that the curse of expanding businesses facing spiraling standards in their food is a sight that's all too common. Will Astons suffer the same fate? (Considering it has opened 3 express outlets selling the cheaper stuff on their menu, and an Astons Prime which sells even better and more expensive stuff) Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I urge everyone who shares a love for steaks to visit this place and eat good, cheap steaks/cutlets/chops/burgers while they last!

Watch out for some Macau updates as well as more food reviews in time to come! hahaha.