Mira Hasta-Rur wrote: > > "Good evening Kendall." Jac says to the waiter, "We are going to > > the charity ball later, so we'll only have something light before > > hand." > > > > Jac looks over at Mira for confirmation, "Yes?" > > She nods, preferring to be light on her feet if they were to dance > later. > > > Turning back to Kendall Jac says, "I think I'll leave it all in > > yours and Chef Erma's hands." > > > > "As you wish, Sir Jac." Kendall gives a short bow and says, "May I > > suggest the Goujonnette of John Dory. The fish is pan fried, > > crispy, and served with a fig and pistacchio galette, finocchio and > > thinly sliced proscuitto. The sauce is a light fish stock infused > > with kelp. With a nice white? The Bianica de Zert 903, perhaps?" > > > > Jac looks to Mira and asks, "How does that sound to you?" > > "It sounds perfectly delightful," Mira replies with a smile to Jac, > not quite certain if she should say thank you to the waiter or to > Jac. Jac smiles then turns back to Kendall and says, "Yes, it sounds delightful. We are in your hands." Kendall bows and as he withdraws a pair of young men arrive bearing dinner rolls, glasses and water. The restaurant is dimly lighted, but you can see that there are real paintings hanging on the walls, and that the furnishings are expensive. There is soft music playing in the background and the conversations around the room are very quiet. Mira can't see any silencers, but it wouldn't surprise her if the tables were protected from anyone overhearing with quiet fields. Jac chats with Mira about his planet. He tells her about the black sanded beaches on the Doublet Islands where brightly colored fish swim in the clear blue waters, and the ski slopes on Mount Antonio where water pools are heated with steam rising from deep inside the mountain dot the land while deep snow covers the ground only a few feet away. The sommelier arrives pushing a cart with a bottle of wine in a silver bucket filled with ice and serves a small glass to Jac who tastes it and nods. He then serves glasses to both Mira and Jac. The wine is very pale and cold, and it has a crisp, dry taste. Your meal arrives just a minute later. The fish is crispy and golden and is lying half on a small pastry shaped like a crescent moon. Beside the fish and pastry sliced white rounds alternate with thin round slices of pink ham are arranged like a hand of cards resting on dark green curly leaves. A light green sauce has been drizzled over the fish and tart. The white rounds are the finocchio, blanched but still crunchy to the bite, and with a hint of licorice. The ham is salty and sweet. The green leaves are lightly blanched and also taste of licorice and anise. The tart crust is flaky and has sweet minced fig and pistachio nut in it's center. The fish is a small white fleshed boneless fillet. Its taste is light, but the sauce gives it the fresh taste of a sea breeze. "This is good." Jac says after sampling the food, "I'll have to send a special thanks to Erma before we go." Eris AKU GM
