As we waited for our dinner to arrive I took in the Asian ambiance; I noticed the busy chefs behind a bar likely preparing our dinner, I also noticed the patrons of many ethnicities and ages quietly conversing with each other at their respective lacquered teak tables and I took note of the multihued, delicate and exquisite maki, sashimi and nigiri that the other diners were feeding upon. After, several seconds of silent observation I began to attempt small conversation with "Anne" as I suddenly felt I was neglecting her and not attending to the supposed mating ritual at hand. However, my attempts at conversation were feeble at best as I was distracted by my anxiety at tasting my California Roll and despite the gentle and amused reassurances from lovely dinner date that the protein contents of my roll would be cooked and not in fact raw and furthermore this California Roll was the sushi of choice among novice sushi explorers such as myself. I took this opportunity to inquire as to how it was that she came to know so much about sushi, to which she informed me that her parents being of the upper classes were adventurous eaters and after her father had sampled some of the finest sushi while doing business in Japan, he imported his love for sushi into his family and thus her love for sushi was born. I admitted to her that my parents are also adventurous eaters; however unlike her family we were from the lower classes and could not afford to consume sushi that was I'm sure in both my parents' minds was considered to be "rich people's" food.
Dinner arrived at our table, Anne asked me if I was familiar with chopsticks and I assured her to the affirmative by demonstrating my proficiency with the dual bamboo sticks, by dexterously picking up a Sweet and Low packet from its container. After my proficiency with chopsticks was established, Anne began to explain the proper method for eating my California Roll. I was to first eat a small sliver of the pickled ginger or gari from the small pile on the corner of my rectangular bamboo plate to cleanse my palate. Next, I was to acquire a single piece of the roll and lightly dip an edge of the roll into the small dish filled with soy sauce, which "Anne" had poured for me. Finally, in order to complete the process I was to insert the entire piece into my mouth and I did with giddy apprehension. The taste was absolutely sublime, I could distinctly taste the tartness of the rice, the nuttiness of the toasted sesame seeds, the creaminess of the avocado, the buttery faux crab meat and the crunchy cucumber; all came together to leave a smooth and creamy finish. To be continued .....
Dinner arrived at our table, Anne asked me if I was familiar with chopsticks and I assured her to the affirmative by demonstrating my proficiency with the dual bamboo sticks, by dexterously picking up a Sweet and Low packet from its container. After my proficiency with chopsticks was established, Anne began to explain the proper method for eating my California Roll. I was to first eat a small sliver of the pickled ginger or gari from the small pile on the corner of my rectangular bamboo plate to cleanse my palate. Next, I was to acquire a single piece of the roll and lightly dip an edge of the roll into the small dish filled with soy sauce, which "Anne" had poured for me. Finally, in order to complete the process I was to insert the entire piece into my mouth and I did with giddy apprehension. The taste was absolutely sublime, I could distinctly taste the tartness of the rice, the nuttiness of the toasted sesame seeds, the creaminess of the avocado, the buttery faux crab meat and the crunchy cucumber; all came together to leave a smooth and creamy finish. To be continued .....
benten:
glad you liked my set. x x