VOA慢速英语--越南一酒店推出亲民版“黄金战斧牛排”

Vietnam Hotel Offers Less Costly¹ Gold Steak Meal

A hotel in Vietnam is offering people the chance to try gold leaf-covered steaks. The move comes after a government minister was caught on camera eating the food at a London restaurant. Such steaks can cost over $1,300.

Last year, the Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel used large amounts of the metal during a building improvement project. During the work, gold plating was added to everything from bath tubs to toilets.

Now, as part of a business plan, the hotel has changed the name of one of its eating places to the Golden Beef Restaurant. The restaurant put the famous gold-coated "Tomahawk Wagyu" steak the Vietnamese minister ate in London on the menu, charging about $45 a person.

Nguyen Huu Duong is head of Hoa Binh Group, which owns the hotel. He told Reuters, "We have served more than 1,000 guests who came to try out the golden steak."

Turkish cook Nusret Gokce, also known as "Salt Bae," published a video online of himself feeding Vietnam's Minister of Public Security To Lam the gold-covered Tomahawk steak.

The video, released last month, received wide attention back in Vietnam. People were surprised that the official would eat a steak that can cost up to $1,914 at some restaurants.

Many in the Southeast Asian country questioned how such a high-ranking Communist Party official could eat such costly food. Especially when his restaurant visit came as the Vietnamese government was carrying out a large campaign against corruption². Officials in Vietnam have not commented on the incident.

The event led to more publicity³ in Vietnam when police called in a beef noodle seller who filmed himself copying, or imitating, Gokce. Police in Vietnam sometimes call in for questioning activists⁴ and people who publicly criticize the ruling Communist Party. The noodle seller denied he was trying to make fun of anyone.

Even though the hotel in Hanoi had already been serving gold steaks, the recent incident in London was the reason for the restaurant's new name, said Duong. He is a Vietnam War veteran and former taxi driver who made his money in building projects and property.

The restaurant imports its gold leaves and uses about 10-15 on each Tomahawk steak, which can serve about four people.

"I thought, why don't I open a restaurant that sells golden steaks that are affordable⁵," Duong said.

Affordable is a term that means less costly.

At $45, the dish still costs too much for many, however. Monthly earnings⁶ in Vietnam average about $183.

Still, people at the restaurant appeared to feel they were getting good value for their money.

Pham Duy Bach was one visitor who enjoyed the time at the restaurant, describing it as "one of the most memorable⁷ experiences of my life."

Words in This Story

steak – n. a thick, flat piece of meat, especially beef

bath tub – n. a large and long container in which people take baths or showers

menu – n. : a list of the foods that may be ordered at a restaurant

1 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

3 publicity   

n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告

参考例句：

• The singer star's marriage got a lot of publicity.这位歌星的婚事引起了公众的关注。
• He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事，只当它是一种宣传手法。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

6 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

7 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。