Unknown Food

Sunday morning , Having a cup of coffee and reading paper. I was reading Sunday magazine food column. Their is an article about Italian food which brought back fond memories actually not fond it can be called funny memory. I love Italian food but I have to say other than pizza ,pasta, risotto and lasagna I'm not much familiar with the names of Italian food. One day my friend and I were driving around on my bike. There was sudden unexpected showers which forced us to stop and take shelter outside a hotel. It was dinner time and we were both hungry. We saw there was Italian restaurant. We looked at each other and decided to go in as we always wanted to try out Italian Food.

When we entered into the restaurant we realized we were not properly dressed . We are in our cargo's and T and were wet because of the rain and every one at the restaurant were dressed few were in their suits, ladies were wearing evening dresses and Fab sarees . As soon as we entered a waiter came running to us asking if we have reservations , We looked at each other wondering where did we go. However the waiter was generous enough to find us a table for two in the corner from where we had a good view to every corner of the restaurant.

We were not even done wondering about the place and how we were looking out of the place and started giggling about it, that generous waiter came to our table, Served us garlic bread and some salad. we looked into each other surprised and worried , to see something which we did not order and as a matter of fact we didn't even see the menu yet. As the waiter leaned to explain that it is opening of the restaurant and how they have only reserved guest , food he gave was complimentary and we will not be billed for that.and he handed over a menu and he left. We looked at each other relieved and started giggling again. Later we gathered our composure and decided to place the order. I opened the menu like a lady elegantly.

When we opened it ,we were shocked and were starring at the menu for a loooooooooong time. Something looked very familiar in the menu . It was nothing but the alphabets but what was written with those alphabets was something we did not understand, but the price next to every dish made our eyes wide. we turned every page to find something we know on the menu and price which didnt give us a heart attack , we didnt find anything familiar .We again looked at each other and gave a Oh no! look , we started to giggle again and we started reading out the menu loud to make some sense. Nothing actually made any sense. Looking at how confused we are the waiter came to our rescue. And politely asked are you ready to place the order. My friend who was smart said everything on the menu looks so good. we are so confused what to order can you suggest us something??Waiter understood that we are ignorant and he suggested us some food even though we didnt even have an iota of idea of what hell we ordered. Waiter said it will take minimum 20 mins for him get the order. We could not control laughter anymore as soon as he left we bursted out.

Our order arrived . Not only the name of the dish was unfamiliar but the look was totally unidentifiable. But the presentation and roaring stomach felt they were appealing. We were about to start eating. By then a Huge, fair, bald headed man in chef's dress ( He looked like that Marinda ad 's where there were 3 orange bald men ) came running to us. Said something we didnt understand , we didnt know what he saying we looked confused and searched for someone who could translate that, then came the waiter ( our waiter in the shinning Armour ) explained that it was someone else's order which was wrongly delivered to our table. And the chef was apologizing for that. He took our plates and gave it to someone else. Chef stood for sometime said something and left. Already it was very chaotic and added to that another confusion. We could not control anymore. Now this time we started to laugh out loud. All the people in the restaurant gave us a look , we didnt have a choice we had to tone down our laughter into giggles again. Our faces were red and my friend was teary eyed as we were giggling.

Finally our order arrived, we checked if there was any other confusion. Once the coast was cleared we ate . It was too good and we enjoyed it so much, that we didnt mind the price and ordered it again.. During the eating process we stopped giggling and by the time we finished the chef was near our table again. We looked at each other , we checked if we ate someone else's food? But to our relief we didnt. Chef was there to apologize for all the confusion and he said he will send us some cappuccino as a compliment.

As promised he did get the cappuccino and stood next to us. But to our surprise , it was black coffee and sugar cubes. We looked at each other . Black Coffee??? Oh no! at least I have coffee but my friend never has anything like that. But we didnt have a choice Chef was standing near the table and starring at us politely . We didnt want to offend the poor soul. so emptied the whole sugar cubes cup and took a sip. It was so bitter. We didnt have the guts to take another sip. Again my smart friend came to the rescue and asked for milk. We added milk it was no way near cappuccino or a normal coffee. But we had to drink.

As we were waiting for our bill, We saw a family( I dont want to discriminate but who looked as if they never had anything more than Dosa in a hotel ) came in and sat. All the while we were giggling and now started to laugh, thinking about the plight which is awaiting for them . By then the waiter gave us our bill and we had to leave.

It happened before 6 or 7 years , We still don't know what we ate. But what ever it was , it was defiantly unforgettable taste, however it was the last time that I ever stepped into a restaurant where I was not able to read the menu. I can never forget that incident . And when ever I think of that day I still burst out into laughter.. :D

Did you guys ever had such an experience?