(no subject)
Dec. 10th, 2023 04:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsI met up with Kayleigh and Bodhi for a Costa this morning. Bodhi was on excellent form, running up for a hug when I came inside, chatted away, counted the bats on my dress, though she was insistent I was wearing pyjamas. Then I said something to upset her, what I don't know, and she started with the pet lip and crying. She was bribed to happiness again with a £1 coin to get some sweets at the shops, but two-year-olds, man, they're sensitive creatures at times.
After that, we drove to pick up some Christmas presents, then back home, so James could rest up more. We had been planning on going to see Wonka, but there were no good seats left, so that'll happen tomorrow I think.
I enjoyed the meal last night, though Chris went to the wrong restaurant and took great glee in showing me the text message string between us where he said I hadn't said that we'd had to change locations. Which is true, because James told him that on his messages. Chris was only teasing, but I already know this is a story he's going to tell for years, when his sister sent him into a packed restaurant while sitting in another one a few minutes walk away.
The food was good and came out fast due to being pre-booked, the veggie option was cauliflower steak for the main, and I was curious what that would be like. Turns out, a horizontal slice of cauli that had been poached surrounded by mushroom sauce and a stewed tomato. Which was nice, but didn't look that impressive when everyone else had massive roast dinners. But, look at the dessert I got, a retro trifle in a miniature pint glass, I was charmed, especially as it wasn't sweet at all which I liked.
One weird thing was they served some of the desserts on slates, which looked good, but wasn't practical when some had pouring cream or custard to go on. We passed the owner of the restaurant on the way out, and he asked if we'd enjoyed the food, and we said yes, but said about the slate situation, and he said he'd sent feedback to the kitchen. But really, surely it should be common sense you don't serve liquid things on a slate?
It was good we left when we did as an all woman group had booked in, and they were getting a bit noisy and lairy when we were leaving, and Pauline kept flinching. I can imagine she was thinking fondly of our usual place at that point, but I enjoyed the change, and at least everyone ate all the food this time.
After that, it was hugs for my bro, nephew and niece, dropping Pauline and Michelle back home, and then back for Strictly! I couldn't wait this weekend for the official show and searched for the spoiler result as soon as I woke up ( the result show is filmed after the main show on Saturday but not shown until Sunday. Every week online groups have moles in the audience who leak the results, so if you want to know the results it's possible ) and no embeds or anything yet as it feels strange when the results show hasn't officially been shown, but, yeah, I couldn't wait.
After that, we drove to pick up some Christmas presents, then back home, so James could rest up more. We had been planning on going to see Wonka, but there were no good seats left, so that'll happen tomorrow I think.
I enjoyed the meal last night, though Chris went to the wrong restaurant and took great glee in showing me the text message string between us where he said I hadn't said that we'd had to change locations. Which is true, because James told him that on his messages. Chris was only teasing, but I already know this is a story he's going to tell for years, when his sister sent him into a packed restaurant while sitting in another one a few minutes walk away.
The food was good and came out fast due to being pre-booked, the veggie option was cauliflower steak for the main, and I was curious what that would be like. Turns out, a horizontal slice of cauli that had been poached surrounded by mushroom sauce and a stewed tomato. Which was nice, but didn't look that impressive when everyone else had massive roast dinners. But, look at the dessert I got, a retro trifle in a miniature pint glass, I was charmed, especially as it wasn't sweet at all which I liked.
One weird thing was they served some of the desserts on slates, which looked good, but wasn't practical when some had pouring cream or custard to go on. We passed the owner of the restaurant on the way out, and he asked if we'd enjoyed the food, and we said yes, but said about the slate situation, and he said he'd sent feedback to the kitchen. But really, surely it should be common sense you don't serve liquid things on a slate?
It was good we left when we did as an all woman group had booked in, and they were getting a bit noisy and lairy when we were leaving, and Pauline kept flinching. I can imagine she was thinking fondly of our usual place at that point, but I enjoyed the change, and at least everyone ate all the food this time.
After that, it was hugs for my bro, nephew and niece, dropping Pauline and Michelle back home, and then back for Strictly! I couldn't wait this weekend for the official show and searched for the spoiler result as soon as I woke up ( the result show is filmed after the main show on Saturday but not shown until Sunday. Every week online groups have moles in the audience who leak the results, so if you want to know the results it's possible ) and no embeds or anything yet as it feels strange when the results show hasn't officially been shown, but, yeah, I couldn't wait.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-10 04:46 pm (UTC)As a youngster I was freaked out by the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (for reasons I do not recall at this time) so I have not seen any of the remakes. I just can't. But I hope you enjoy it! *g*
no subject
Date: 2023-12-10 04:53 pm (UTC)The dessert situation made me both laugh and think, wft?! The slates did look good, but custard running onto the table is never a good thing. I hope you enjoyed your dinner, too.
I think the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate is pretty dark when you think about it with kids getting pulled into pipes and puffing up etc. So I'm not surprised you freaked out.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-10 06:07 pm (UTC)I have this memory of sitting in a chair in my grandmother's sitting room just outside the living room where they were watching the movie. I was probably reading. I didn't even want to be in the same room, lol! Of course, those were the days of no cable. At my house we got one channel (NBC); I think my grandparents got three (NBC, ABC and CBS), but they didn't all come in well. Ah, the days of rabbit ears and trying to get a clear picture. *g*
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 08:47 am (UTC)That's excellent news! I do enjoy having leftovers to bring home, no cooking later, and revisiting delicious food. It's a win win.
Now you're reminding me of the excitement of a fourth terrestrial channel launching when I was a kid. It was such a big deal. It's amazing now to think there are hundreds of channels to pick from, add streaming on top, and it's impossible to watch everything you want.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 05:26 pm (UTC)I know! It's strange to think that people don't know what it was like to just have one channel option! Though, I have gotten used to being spoiled for choice. *g*
no subject
Date: 2023-12-10 05:56 pm (UTC)that dinner sounds nice, though I am boggled by the choice of slates for meals with liquid components. that sure doesn't make sense to me! (but at least i don't have to wash the table linens)
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 08:45 am (UTC)Toddlers can be so weird, but yeah, we had hugs and kisses when I left so she got over it. With the help of a shiny coin.
Seriously, I still boggle when I think of the slate situation. I know there was a trend a few years ago of serving food on weird things, but I thought that was well over. Apparently not.
Well ...
Date: 2023-12-12 04:14 am (UTC)The food scene has largely dispensed with common sense. Just watching a few cooking shows on television, I see people enthusing over stuff that I would never touch, even if I liked the flavors, because of how it was served. For instance, using the sauce to paint designs on the plate instead of putting it on the food. "Deconstructing" the food and scattering its components all over a large platter, or on one memorable occasion, an entire tabletop.
On the bright side, less pretentious places still serve things sensibly. There's a fast-food Persian place called Naf Naf that we love. We can each get a plate piled with food -- I usually get shawarma over rice with a chop salad topping -- plus flatbreads. So that's a supper for me, a couple of hummus buster sandwiches, and at least one lunch for my partner. And I don't have to chase it around my plate.
Re: Well ...
Date: 2023-12-18 05:58 pm (UTC)I have to agree, all of that is off-putting.
If I'm eating I want to actually chew and taste and enjoy actual food, not try to get flavour via a smear or scrape my fork or spoon over a flat surface.
Naf Naf sounds like an excellent place to visit, and serves food as it should be served.
Re: Well ...
Date: 2023-12-18 07:54 pm (UTC)Exactly! I'm really fond of exploring food. Our favorite African grocery just opened a restaurant (squee) so we checked the menu and they have goat, plantains, and fufu (SQUEE). Now it's just a matter of finding time to visit for a meal.
>> Naf Naf sounds like an excellent place to visit, and serves food as it should be served. <<
Totally worth a trip if you like Middle Eastern / Mediterranean foods. This is among the healthiest fast-food places to eat. Also, what they're calling pita isn't the tough Greek version, it's some Persian version that is downright pillowy. :D I don't know how far they've spread, but there are two in our area.
https://www.nafnafgrill.com/
no subject
Date: 2023-12-14 08:48 pm (UTC)Your veggie dinner might not have looked as impressive as the others' steaks but it sounds very tasty. The trifle looks so cute!
Serving liquid things on slates sounds very strange. Someone obviously wasn't thinking!
no subject
Date: 2023-12-18 06:01 pm (UTC)My dinner was actually really nice, just looked a bit lacking when compared with the other plates. I'd actually eat the cauliflower steak again, or even look up how to make one. I'm sure recipes will be out there.
Serving liquid things on slates sounds very strange. Someone obviously wasn't thinking!
It just makes no sense to me. My trifle was served unusually, but also practically. The other deserts should have been thought about more, too.