The Observation Deck

I originally posted this in the Chef Geoff Forum. from the lack of any responses, I can conclude that:
1) Nobody reads the Chef Geoff Forum or
2) None of the observers has had a memorable meal.

On the assumption that it is the former, and not the latter, I repost here in the hopes of some input.

We all know that dining is one of our more pleasurable experiences. When we eat, we experience our meal with all of our senses. Taste, is obvious, but we feel the textures of our food, see its presentation and colors, hear the crunch or sizzle and smell its aromas. Add to the use of all our senses the conversation and social interact and you have a very complex set of circumstances that are capable of imprinting exceptionally vivid memories.

SO....share with the observer your most memorable meals. What was the food, were you dining in or at a restaurant? Who were your dining companions? What makes this particular event stand out from the tens of thousands of meals you have consumed over your life? By the way, a memorable meal could be either a REALLY GREAT experience or a positively abysmal one. Hopefully response can serve as background for a future Observer column.

Thanks!

Jeff

Welshfield Inn

Bill Davis and I had spent a rough night at Nelson Ledges Road Course, taking the edge off a long night through various means. By noon the next day we wandered into the first place we could find with food.

They probably should not have let us in the place as I am sure we looked like something from a bad B movie about bikers. But they brought us in with open hearts and sat us down for a "family style" dinner.

I had the duck, Bill had the meat loaf, and it was just a perfect meal served by perfect people in perfect surroundings. Like many things, when we went back it was never the same. Maybe like a soda cracker for a starving man, our perceptions what have been twisted by the night before, the campfire, the scotch, who knows. But that one meal was nearly perfect.

I had a similar experience at The Union Tavern in Madison, Ohio. Where every Sunday they serve up a nice roasted duck dinner with corn fritters with Ohio Maple syrup.

Jim

There have been so many that it's impossible to pick just one or two!

Sandy Lane Inn (now The Meridian) St. Lawrence Gap, Christ's Church, Barbados

Flying Fish purchased at the Oistins Market a half hour before. Cleaned and pan fried with butter, green onions, and pepper on the apartment's electric stove. Bananas split and sauteed in butter. molasses and rum.

No recipe necessary; expert assistance provided by new native friends.

Bottle of gold Cockspur Rum capped the evening as ocean and insect chatter molded ambience around front porch.

Lots of competition for second place but none for this first and finest.

Well, I'll never forget a meal I had in Mexico on my honeymoon, much as I would like to. I fondly recall Pepe's pizza in New Haven, Connnecticut, a fish sandwich I had a a roadside diner in Maine, and, back in my red meat days, a delmonico steak at some fancy place in D.C. To be fair to our friends down south, I had an amazing meal at a seaside place in San Jose Cabo. Again, I'm availabe for food tasting/consultation at no charge--beyond a free meal.

I think my most memorable meal was when we went whitewater rafting down the Rio Grande. It was a two day trip and we camped out under the stars in Mexico.

The River Guides taught me how to make guacamole and we had a big fruit salad. They put nutmeg in the fruit salad. I don't know if I was hungry from a day in the sun or the fact that this was the best of both I had ever had.

.
My name is Burak. They call me Boo.

I was talking with my pal, Arnold, through the fence yesterday. We were talking food. Arnold and I like the food we get. And the treats. I always have a big grin and wag my tail when they give me treats. It makes me so glad to see that they’re happy.

But Arnold and I have had better. And it all comes out of that big white box in the kitchen.

I think I’ll just doze off here in my usual spot on the stair landing. I can see and stretch out.
----------------------------- What was that noise? It’s Missy the cat at the window. She always thinks she’s smarter than me. Well, as long as I’m up I’ll just mosey on into the kitchen here.

Dark, everyone’s in bed. There it is. I’ve seen them pull this thing and the door opens. Let’s see---turn your head sideways, get a bite, tug back a little----------AHA!!!!!!
It’s open!!!!!!!!!! Woops, it closed. One more time and now stand in the way. There, it stays open!

Look at this. Lots of things. Bottles, jars, kinda cold, too. Arnold said it was in the middle---pull this thing out and the best food in the world is there. Here, get my front teeth around this curve and pull back. I can smell it-------cheese!!!!!! I love cheese!!! I’ll munch on a few pieces here. Handy how this thing keeps the door open and I can see. Small pieces of meat. Tastey.

Here’s another one. Grip with my front teeth and pull back. WOW!!!!!! Steaks!!!!!!! Jackpot!!!!!! Lassie I’m comin’ home!!!!!!!!

I think I’d better hurry and eat these. Next time I’ll bring one over to Arnold. What are you lookin’ at Missy? It’d be nice if they could figure out a way to keep these so I wouldn’t have to eat them all at once.

Finished. Man I’m full. Feel’s like I’m gonna explode. I’ll just amble over to my pad and go back to sleep.

I’m gonna remember that meal.------------------------
Hehe, they’re gonna need a snow shovel for this one!