Posted by Leander Schaerlaeckens

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa -- In some ways South Africa is very different from the United States. Race still dictates much of what you'll be able to do with your life. And the middle class, while booming, is a new phenomenon here. Many live in startling poverty while others live a lifestyle so lavish most Americans couldn't even fathom it. Drive 10 miles in any direction and you'll see people living in shacks. Yet any square mile in the rich suburbs would suffice to tape an entire season of "Cribs."

In other ways, South Africa and the United States are very much the same. Fathers worry about their daughters -- all of our van drivers seem to have teenage girls with boyfriends they don't entirely trust -- pop culture and its makers are king, and, as I discovered tonight, foodies are on the ascent.

My driver had recommended it. It's where one takes a girl one wants to impress. I suppose my driver wanted to impress me. Pescadeya, a restaurant known far and wide for its steaks. And how lovely they were. Anybody who says this is still a developing country is a fool.

Port Elizabeth, I've discovered, is a lot like Austin, Texas, only with an ocean out back, rather than the Gulf of Mexico, and without the bother of people who refuse to step into any car that doesn't do 30 miles to the gallon.

A lavish three-course dinner for two by one of the hottest young chefs in town set me back all of 40 bucks, including a generous tip. Developed-world dinner at developing-world prices. That third-place game is suddenly looking a lot better.