["Cause" of the Day: Chilly Crabs - at more down-to-earth prices]

It's the year of the EARTH OX and things are already taking on an earthy feel in more ways than one.

Not only are people more realistic in their expectations of jobs and everything else, they are also more cost conscious when it comes to enjoy one of the country’s most famous and delectable gastronomic delights - chilli crabs.

No longer are they so willing to pay the sky-high prices demanded by seafood restaurants for these crawly creatures.

Today, thanks to the recession, expected to be the worst in 60 years, prices of crabs are coming down to earth.

Just over a month ago, I had a 600gm Sri Lankan chilly crab for $18 at a seafood eatery at the junction of River Valley Road and Zion Road. This is at least 30 per cent cheaper that what it used to cost. The going rate at an established restaurant is $3.80 per 100 gm of crabs. Add in the 10 per cent service charge and seven percent GST, the 600gm crab would have cost me at least $27.

This seafood eatery was converted from a coffeeshop previously patronised by SPH journalists during their lunch break in the 1970s and 80s when the newspaper's head office was at Kim Seng Road. By not charging the 10 per cent service tax and seven percent GST, it sure attracts an appreciative dining crowd in the well-to-do condo neighbourhood off River Valley Road.

With the economy cooling rapidly, more seafood eateries in Singapore are dangling enticing promotional offers to bait wallet-watching customers. Attracted by an advertisement, I recently also had a claypot of delicious beehoon crab meat for two at an air-conditioned seafood eatery at Beo Crescent for $12.50 as against the normal price of $20.

Besides lowering crab prices, eateries now also offer cost effective set meals. This same eatery at Beo Crescent also offers a five-course set lunch for $9.80 each. This comprises Chinese sausage chicken rice in claypot, soup of the day, steamed cod fish with golden garlic sauce, bean curd with vegetable and cream of black sesame. If there are four diners, the eatery throws in dongjiang herbal chicken(half portion) for free.

To put things in perspective, some three or four years ago, a meal for two consisting of a medium-sized chilli crab, “Hong Kong style” steamed fish and sambal kangkong cost no more than $40, that is with service charge and GST.

With the full brunt of the global recession about to hit Singapore anytime soon, I expect more seafood restaurants to further cut prices to stay in business. So readers, if you know of more attractive and mouth-watering dining offers, do share them with us.