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Post by whatagain on Oct 3, 2020 9:25:30 GMT
Been to 5 restaurants in as many days. One in Pierrefonds, chalet du lac, excellent. A pizza... A thai close to home with my daughters, very nice. Twice at hhe same (evening alone, lunch with colleagues). Please no more... Next week min 3. 2 in Germany one with a friend.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 5, 2020 2:49:23 GMT
I ate out today! This was only the second time since the long distancing spell began. The last occasion was because I was being a good sport & accompanying a friend to a safe venue. It was really a bust for both of us, but since one of our favorite restaurants just reopened in a new location, we went to try it today.
What a nice experience! The only downside is that it's on Avenida Juárez, a busy and loud street. The restaurant looks out at El Llano park, which Htmb & Kerouac might remember. There was lots of distance and ventilation between tables and the server was very pleasant and professional. I wasn't crazy about what I had, but it was interesting, super fresh, and beautifully prepared -- just not my cup of tea. One of the things my friend had was a salad which she exclaimed over and which was gorgeously fresh. After we ordered the server brought out two mini tostadas, compliments of the house. These were so delightfully fresh they almost floated above the plate. It was such a treat to be out in such a pleasant place and eating out so normally. When the meal was over & we were enjoying coffee, one of the owners came over to treat us to an after-dinner drink.
I would only repeat this experience at the present time either with the same friend, or with someone whom I knew to be equally as strictly careful about all the covid precautions. Lovely as this was, we were still sitting mask-less across a small square table from each other.
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Post by mich64 on Oct 5, 2020 3:44:24 GMT
It felt so good just reading about your meal out!!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 5, 2020 4:23:29 GMT
Thanks, dear Mich! One of these days I hope to be sitting across a table from you.
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Post by lagatta on Oct 5, 2020 8:16:32 GMT
That sounds lovely. Now that is is cooler and thus not always conducive to eating or even having coffee on a terrasse, I doubt I'll be meeting any friends thus for quite a while. Sad. Obviously not as sad as getting COVID... Glad to have such a purry and furry little cat (very thick coat for a shorthair).
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Post by lugg on Oct 5, 2020 13:44:57 GMT
So glad you enjoyed it Bixa ; it is nice to get out isn't it ?
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Post by kerouac2 on Oct 5, 2020 15:16:45 GMT
I haven't been to a restaurant since February, although I did have one meal at a Burger KIng (for the first time in 3 years) when I was in Le Havre in August.
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Post by lugg on May 31, 2021 17:00:41 GMT
Yesterday I had my first meal out for about 9 months. What a treat - Sunday lunch at a farm in the middle of nowhere, deepest darkest rural Herefordshire. It was so good. Run by a SA couple who initially worked in corporate jobs in London and then bought the farm. Everything , as far as possible , is grown or born on the farm. It was cooked on open fires so had a mildly smoky favour which is unusual for a British Sunday roast but very good. Will definitely be back to try their Durban curries , Tod you may know about these maybe ? Anyone who is interested can find more info here , droversrest.co.uk/food-drink-on-the-farm/
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Post by htmb on May 31, 2021 17:57:11 GMT
Lugg, sounds like the perfect place to have a meal out after all those months of abstinence!
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Post by bjd on May 31, 2021 18:09:05 GMT
Last Wednesday evening, for the first time in months, I went out for a meal in Bayonne. Not in a restaurant because they are still closed, but on the terrace in front. I went with my daughter and son-in-law who were also out for the first time in months. It was a Basque/Spanish place so we had beer and tapas: patatas bravas, codfish balls, chipirons (calamars). The place was packed, as was every other place we passed on the way.
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Post by kerouac2 on May 31, 2021 18:11:47 GMT
I am still trying to work up an urge to go to a restaurant. So far, everything I read makes it sound like people are in a frenzy to eat out, and I do not enjoy being in the midst of a frenzy.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 4, 2021 15:55:46 GMT
I have not been to a restaurant for a meal since Covid began. That is now over a year. My friend on the other hand did the exact opposite and has had numerous meals in local restaurants both here at home city and as far as Cape Town. She has asked me to join her many many times but I have stuck to my guns and refused such invitations. Since my vaccination I now feel more confident to go out to lunch. I know it is not fool proof against contracting Covid but I think I could manage to sit in the fresh air and have a meal.
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Post by whatagain on Jun 5, 2021 8:21:52 GMT
I had 3 restaurants in 3 days. Quite nice, on terraces (indoors open next week), all lunchs, all with family. In 3 different cities.
But i think it is already too much, i want to stay at home.
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Post by spaceneedle on Jun 5, 2021 8:53:37 GMT
Chicken Chow Mein with handmade noodles and vegetables from a local family owned restaurant.Absolutely delicious. Takeout, so not in a restaurant.
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Post by whatagain on Jul 16, 2021 9:37:09 GMT
My wife booked a table at a gastronomic yesterday for the 4 of us. 14.5 on the Gault et Millau. We had amuse bouche, quite elaborate and good, then spanish pork and some good things followed by some lobster preparation, then pigeon, then dessert. Very fine dining, with associated wines - we often do that when they offer it on the menu. Quite good. lalignerouge.be/
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 17, 2021 0:53:18 GMT
I had the opposite of your meal, Whatagain, as far as fine dining goes.
What we had was really good though. We were in a nearby town that specializes in ceramics and a lady in a store directed us to Bonanza, saying it was really good. We got there just as it started raining, which was nice since rain under a palm-thatched roof is always pleasant. There was a giant wood grill arrangement on the grounds, constantly tended by two men. We had chicken in salsa macha (an oily sauce of dried chiles, seeds, & nuts) and killer pork ribs with a "stuffed" potato (actually sliced & baked in foil with cheese, bacon, & sour cream).
We were so full that we declined the complimentary mezcal that was offered to us at the end of the meal. Not only was the food & service great, but after we had trouble getting a taxi, the restaurant owner drove us back to Oaxaca.
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Post by whatagain on Jul 17, 2021 0:56:11 GMT
Looks great Bixa !
Don't know why but brought back memories of traditionnal grill in Argentinia, where they barbecue a full lamb.
What a nice man the owner !
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 17, 2021 0:57:51 GMT
Wasn't he?! We tried to refuse, but he insisted he was going there anyway.
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Post by casimira on Jul 20, 2021 19:26:57 GMT
After a very productive meeting with our contractor this morning we went out to lunch at a local steakhouse. We had not been out for a meal since our fiasco so it was extra special. I had a filet mignon and T. got a t-bone. We both shared a large Caesar salad and two sides of vegetables. A lovely sauvignon blanc to accompany our sumptuous repast.
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Post by whatagain on Jul 21, 2021 21:15:40 GMT
White wine on meat can de nice too.
In about 10 days i had 9 restaurants...
3 in Riga, 1 in Bergamo, 1 in Waterloo, 2 in Switzerland, 2 in Paris.
The best was in Waterloo, not only good but with the family.
Business as before ?
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Post by questa on Jul 21, 2021 23:59:46 GMT
With the exception of take-aways, I have not eaten out since covid started. Last week the family took me to an Indian restaurant which was set up for maximum safety. Our table of 6 was distant from the other 2 tables. One of the reasons I rarely eat out is the noise of many voices in the venue makes it hard for me to tune in to our conversation. This was a quieter experience.
We munched on poppadums and naan and discussed the probability of a lockdown next day. Then the food arrived and we fell silent enjoying it. Three had gone for the butter chicken, I had mango chicken. I'm not sure what the others had. The rice was nicely cooked and there was plenty of it.. The sauces were delicious and the waiter presented us with take-away boxes. I finished mine for lunch next day.
Nothing fancy...just a good Indian meal in uncertain times. (The lockdown for ?7 days started next day)
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Post by fumobici on Jul 22, 2021 1:15:30 GMT
I had my first lunch out since the plague struck. I wanted to try a new Thai place that opened up. We had chicken wings done Thai-style for a starter then I had what they call "naked pad thai" a mixed seafood plate with a few vegetables, prawns, calamari, scallops, and cod served with traditional pad thai sauce. It was nice, I shall return there to sample more of the menu.
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Post by casimira on Jul 22, 2021 16:21:07 GMT
That "naked Pad Thai" sounds delicious Fumobici and is right up my alley of Thai food dishes. We have a Thai restaurant nearby that serves up a similar version of what you describe. I prefer a Pad Thai with all seafood. Just as I prefer a gumbo with either all seafood or poultry and sausage. Perhaps a form of food snobbery but, to me, I think of it as being a "purist" when it comes to combining seafood and meat together in a dish.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 23, 2021 19:33:35 GMT
I have not been to a restaurant since 2019. Not really missing it. However, I have a number of friends hounding me for a dinner outing, so I suppose I will finally start doing such things again.
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Post by lagatta on Jul 23, 2021 22:35:03 GMT
Très bien!
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Post by whatagain on Jul 24, 2021 11:22:58 GMT
Moules frites yesterday. Good belgian fries. Good mussels from Zeeland. Garlic sauce. And a white Sancerre. At a 'Guinguette' close to home.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 24, 2021 15:05:27 GMT
I thought you were quarantined!
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Post by whatagain on Jul 24, 2021 16:38:01 GMT
It was just before we learned it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 24, 2021 16:40:10 GMT
Whew!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 28, 2021 21:11:42 GMT
Yesterday I met up with 6 ex-colleagues and we went for a meal. The place we had booked was closed (staff shortages)...but we were determined to find somewhere. Alan and I popped into a couple of places in the same area (there is a row of eateries there) and settled on a newly opened pub with a reasonably priced menu. The staff were all wearing masks the large tables were widely spaced and able to accommodate all 7 of us comfortably.
I had a steak pie....it had a rich sauce, steak, onions and spinach filling in a crisp pastry case...the top had a cheese sauce with 'burnt ends' chunks of beef on top and chopped spring onion. It was served with a creamy mashed potato...and a splash of gravy. I only managed half the pie and a bit of potato ..probably because of the pint on lager I had with it. Good value but too much food for lunch time...others had equally huge meals AND desserts....
My first visit to a restaurant/pub or café since March 2020.
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