Civilization Found!

We choose to labor under the delusion that since we're dancing so much no harm will come from eating like this country wants us to, which means working oneself systematically through a mid-size cow every four days.  Why else would they locate a grill at roughly every thirty two paces in any direction?  Why would they price said juicy cow of prime steakhouse quality at U.S. mid-price restaurant levels, and throw in a bottle of descent Malbec to boot?

We learned to insist on ordering just one steak and a salad for the two of us.  In doing this we have to overcome the objections of the wait staff who caution us that anything less than a full meat portion per person inevitably leads to malnourishment.  Skip the salad, they advise, if you don't want to overdo things, but not the meat.  We prevail and still waddle out unsteadily, wondering if we'll ever be light enough to dance again.

We looked hard for a small enough parilla to snap a picture of, we didn't want to scare anyone.
In a later post we might upload a picture of a regular sized one.

What does all this have to do with civilization?  Now, this may be a personal view, but how a culture feeds itself in public correlates with its level of cultivation.  To illustrate:

• Do they say "sure, sure sit anywhere," or do you get seated by a professional, presumably because you couldn't do it well enough yourself, and your choice will probably mess something up?
• Do they give you time to settle in and figure out what you want, or do they go with the "can I start you off with a drink" before you even put your purse down (meaning "can I rack up your bill already, and get things going so as to hasten your departure?")
• Do they leave you alone, or constantly ask you if everything is all right?  (it's a rhetorical question anyway, try saying "no" sometime, you'll see, no one knows what to do next.)
• Do they leave you alone with your friends, your food and stuff, or constantly "do things," like pour your wine, clear your plates, and generally bother you?
• Do they let you decide when you're done, or do they constantly prompt you for the next course, the next drink, and finally the bill?

Pretty much everywhere in the world except home we're left alone to decide the pace and form of our restaurant experience.  This is also true in Buenos Aires, and we really like it this way.  And the food and drink are affordable too.  Civilization, at last.

Signs of civilization:That's what I want to see on a sidewalk in my neighborhood, a five gallon bucket of tahini! .