The King's College London Alumni Association Malaysia Branch held its Chinese New Year's dinner at this rather excellent restaurant last night. When I arrived, our cabin was the only one with any patrons at all, and not one face-mask was in sight. A gathering of...old (in my case, literally) friends would be welcome at any time. Given the particular circumstances surrounding the advent of the Year of the Rat, this was especially welcome. Old acquaintances were renewed, new ones made, and one suspects, friendships forged. Alcoholic beverages brought in by some of us lubricated the conversation, which soon turned notably cheerful. Service was careful and attentive, and the fare, largely delectable. I noticed that nobody watched major sporting events unfolding on strategically-stationed TV screens. Such a gathering of friends with shared memories of distant - both spatially and temporally - school days in this ambience of contextual anxiety was naturally delightful. The restaurant enabled its appreciation. I certainly returned home sated. And that was not just the wine.More