A long wait from my last blog. Was giving in to the taste of Autumn. The subtle changes that tingle the nerve cells on the largest organ. The change in taste of ground water, the swings in mood and the change in pastel colors on the sky by the horizon just before the sun makes it to the other side. A recent funny experience that I would definitely have to share with the small but dedicated readers of mine- (almost) fine dining with friends of mine at a restaurant in Uppsala.
Has to be the first ever restaurant that I visited in Uppsala if you dont consider fast food in the same menu. The occasion was that of a close friend of mine getting what he wanted, a green signal to entry in the Swedish army forces as an artillery man. We decided to make the best of the day that was, a saturday with no hangover, a sunny cold day that can be only described as inviting to nance outdoors. While on a budget, people look for best option to fine dine while looking for quality. It is too much to ask, but we got it at a local Chinese restaurant serving a buffet at 1600 hrs on a saturday. There were atleast 14 items on the menu with appetisers and dessert. The drinks were extra as the restaurant hopes to draw a small profit from its business. The soup of the day was my favourite- Chicken sweet corn soup. It was the very dish that turned this little Brahmin born Hindu boy in India on track to be a world class carnivore. I have to thank my old man for that.The dishes were real easy on the palate. Full of flavour but free from overdose of astringent spices. Shrimp dishes were my target as I am a fan of seafood. Two dishes on the list that caused surprise among the three of us were these Sushi items. I couldnt tell you the names, cos I aint a fan of Salmon or Sashimi. That was it about food.
The ambience- A fountain with a bank and goldfishes as you enter. Tables demarcated by aesthetically placed wooden booths with arty sculpting. Framed posters on walls with Chinese pieces of art. Gradient lighting (energy saving of course, we are still in Sweden) and clean spic bar counter. Once we got to our table, we did what any hungry guy bunch would do- try to talk about domestic problems i.e money and girls. The topic deviate focus every other second as if you were looking through a Kaleidoscope. I know what you are thinking, but the drinks had only been served to us by then. Amidst the rambling, we saw a table that was occupied by a company of three- two girls and a boy. We were talking while they were sitting like spies, not a word to each other while looking at their smart phones. The large table of 10 behind us were a large family/friends together seemed to be having a nice time, talking. Just as expected at a restaurant. We couldnt help but notice the former table of 3. The friend of mine was telling me that they had to be Swedish. But how uncommon it was to behave in such a way, not talking to your friends and just staring at your phones. Thats how nosy we are. Everyone loves to gossip, not just girls. What do you expect three guys to talk about at a table? We were like the fellas from the movie 'Goodfellas'. I imagine I would fit the Ray Liotta shoes, or it could just be wishful thinking. Anyway, just then, a man from the larger table while on his way for a third helping stops by their table and says something to the young bunch in Swedish and walks away. Emil, my friend gave me a look right then. After a while, when the three musketeers left, Emil told me what the man had said to them. He had said, " Are you guys playing a video game amongst yourselves?". That got the man like a zillion points in my "book". Here I was thinking that the Swedish didnt have a great sense of humour and that anything goes here; BAM! A hammer of wit shuts me the fcuk up. It became the highlight of our day. Definitely something worth sharing about. Laughing about. Admiring about.
'People are people no matter where you are, only clothes and the language may be different' -Some wise guy
