After sitting down at the empty table, Florent picked up the menu...
The menu in this world wasn't too different from those on Earth. The signature dishes were prominently displayed on the first page, while other delicious but less iconic dishes were tucked away in corners, waiting to be discovered by regulars and food enthusiasts.
Florent glanced at the restaurant's most popular dishes. Unsurprisingly, the famous dish from the Desi Bay in southern Loen was the Desi pie.
Since Florent planned to have both lunch and dinner here, he quickly dismissed the awkward thought of ordering just one Desi pie.
Turning his attention to the other dishes, which, while not as famous as the Desi pie, were still distinctly Desi in flavor, Florent began scanning the menu like a seasoned foodie.
After a while, he shook his head in frustration. As a foodie with only one stomach, he often regretted not being able to try every dish on the menu at once.
But wasn't that part of the joy of being a foodie? Each meal was a journey for the tongue and taste buds, and Florent thoroughly enjoyed it.
Raising his hand to signal the waiter, Florent pointed to the menu when the waiter approached, "Besides the Desi pie, what dish pairs best with it?"
The waiter replied smoothly, "At our Desi Bay Flavors Restaurant, besides the Desi pie, there are several other standout dishes, such as the Desi seafood stew, Desi-style risotto, and Desi grilled fish..."
Pointing at the Menu, the waiter continued, "But if you're looking for the best pairing with the Desi pie, it's undoubtedly the Desi deep-sea soup. This soup is not only rich in flavor but also complements the Desi pie perfectly. By the way, this recommendation comes from Mr. Jimmy Rhodes, who visited our restaurant for a food review."
Florent didn't usually know who Jimmy Rhodes was, but coincidentally, he had come across an article by him in the 'Trier Daily', the only newspaper he had read since arriving in this world.
The article's author bio described him as one of Trier's most renowned food critics.
In Trier, a city known for its openness and culture, there was no shortage of things that delighted the senses...
Critics, writers, and artists thrived in such an environment, and food critics, food writers, and even culinary authors naturally emerged.
Fortunately, for those who made a living through words, Trier's newspapers provided them with a platform. Newspapers collected, published, and promoted their articles, and food magazines were no exception.
Thanks to this, Trier's culinary literature was renowned worldwide, as newspapers elsewhere would never publish articles unrelated to politics, news, or major events.
Florent said to the waiter, "In that case, I'll have the famous Desi pie and a serving of Desi deep-sea soup."
The waiter, dressed in a white shirt, blue vest, and black trousers, bowed slightly, "I'll prepare the Desi pie and Desi deep-sea soup for you right away."
Although there were almost no customers at this hour, the chefs were busy with preparations, so the food didn't arrive quickly.
After a wait that Florent had anticipated, the two distinctly Desi dishes were served.
The Desi pie lived up to its reputation. Its golden crust not only whetted the appetite but also promised a satisfying crunch.
When Florent picked it up, he was surprised to find that it didn't feel greasy, as one might expect from its appearance. Instead, it felt like holding any ordinary food.
Curious but cautious, Florent decided to taste it before drawing any conclusions...
Taking a bite, he was immediately struck by the texture; crispy yet retaining the essence of the crust, and the filling was bursting with flavor.
The filling of this Desi pie wasn't overly greasy, and it didn't rely heavily on fish. Instead, Florent noticed that the fish content was moderate, replaced by a variety of unique ingredients.
Among the filling were crispy fruits or vegetables, as well as other vegetables and meats that complemented the fish perfectly. The complex flavors made Florent chew slowly, savoring every moment the pie spent in his mouth. When he finally swallowed, the aftertaste lingered pleasantly.
Unlike the greasy sensation often left by meat pies, perhaps due to the addition of spices or vegetables that didn't exist back on Earth, Florent's mouth felt refreshingly clean. Instead of dulling his appetite, the pie only made him hungrier.
Florent thought to himself, 'I'll order another pie after I finish this.'
After enjoying a few more bites of the pie, Florent turned his attention to the Desi deep-sea soup, which was said to pair perfectly with the pie.
The soup looked rather ordinary, a few types of fish paired with sea vegetables in a clear broth. It didn't have the visual appeal of more famous soups, but there was something subtly extraordinary about its simplicity.
Using a spoon, Florent took a sip of the soup. The flavor was indeed ordinary, but something about it interacted with the lingering taste of the pie in his mouth...
It was like the sensation of drinking cold water after eating mint candy, though not as intense. Florent couldn't help but let out a small, satisfied sigh.
Realizing what he had done, Florent's usually stoic face showed a hint of embarrassment, his cheeks tinged with red. He glanced around, relieved to find no other customers nearby and the waiters were chatting idly in the distance...
He quickly composed himself...
Pretending nothing had happened, Florent lowered his head and continued to enjoy the delightful combination of the Desi pie and the deep-sea soup.
He paced himself, and when the soup was halfway finished, he called the waiter to order another Desi pie.
This time, the pie arrived quickly. Before the soup could cool completely, Florent polished off everything on his plate.
After settling the bill, he realized that while the restaurant's food was exceptional, the prices were anything but kind.
The meal had nearly emptied his wallet. The amount he had spent was equivalent to what a middle-class person would save in half a year without spending a single penny.
Florent winced as he felt his now much lighter wallet...
He realized he would have to walk home, or to the family gathering, since he couldn't afford a carriage...
'Life is hard', Florent thought, on the verge of tears...
....
[Image Here...]