Chương 4: Underwater Diner
After the harrowing journey down the tube, they found themselves at what seemed to be a diner.
Surrounding the restaurant appeared to be gears of various sizes. Along with the bright coral reef right by the window.
Right next to the massive windowpane were tables with wares on top of them. Between Jackson and the windowpane was the front desk, where they would arrange seating for guests.
With the impressive front in front of him, he figured it out. The building above was merely a ploy. The only way to get to the underwater diner was through the tube.
"I did think it was odd that an 'underwater' diner was located at surface level," Jackson thought to himself.
Jackson and the others marveled at the sight, and the front desk staff approached them. The staff asked him whether he was alone or with others.
"Alone," said Jackson, pointing his finger up.
The staff nodded and called a nearby waiter to guide Jackson to his seat. Lucky for him, he was arranged at a small table right next to the window.
While Jackson got settled, they handed him a menu. They started mumbling about the diner. They said that renowned chefs are all over the kitchen.
With individual skills and experience clashing, it helps the diner create flavorful and innovative dishes.
Their main dishes offer a variety of fresh seafood collected from the regions nearby. The menu also offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Catering to a wide range of dietary preferences, it also offers meat. Such as red meat and white meat. Most popular are their beef and venison.
That was their commitment, in the hope that every guest could enjoy the underwater experience. Furthermore, they also provide desserts such as tiramisu, cake, and sorbets.
With such vast arrays of food in front of him, Jackson couldn't help but choose them all. The thought that it was costly never popped up in his head. Food is more important.
Of course, the first time the waiter heard his orders, he was shocked. Nevertheless, the waiter can never turn down the customer.
Not long after regaining his composure, the waiter went back into the kitchen. His massive order shocked the chefs; one even yelled. Jackson could hear the scream from his table.
Jackson was as gluttonous as the average American, despite giving the impression of being a healthy athlete. His unusual metabolism keeps him in shape.
His metabolism was his pride. Yet at the same time, it was an untimely curse. What increased wasn't his weight, but his monthly cost. Fortunately, his family is loaded.
His metabolism wasn't the end of it. Accompanied by it was his vast appetite. The desire to try out everything in the world. These traits combined surprise onlookers upon seeing him.
Many minutes passed before one of his orders arrived. It was scrumptious salmon. Upon tasting it, his tongue turned into an orchestra of aromas and textures.
The Grilled Lemon Herb Salmon was as delicious as he had expected it to be. The salmon's crispy skin provided a succulent and delightful crunch.
Moreover, the lemon and various herbs were marinated properly in the salmon. It provided the necessary zesty tang that complements the natural butteriness of the salmon.
Every bite of the salmon had a delicate savory flavor from the garlic. Along with the herby freshness of the dill and thyme.
"The perfect symphony!" said Jackson, with a fork still in his mouth.
"Moreover, these grill marks have the perfect caramelization to them!" he continued to mumble.
Right next to the salmon was common asparagus. Jackson had tasted many before, so he knew what a perfect asparagus was supposed to taste like.
"Perfect," he mumbled to himself.
The asparagus was tender, with a common hint of char. The earthy flavor complements the dish. Besides, the asparagus added an extra color of vibrant green to the plate.
There was something else next to the asparagus. Upon tasting it, Jackson figured out that it was quinoa. It was fluffy with a light, nutty flavor.
On the other hand, the roasted asparagus is perfectly tender with a hint of char, adding an earthy note that is both different from and complimentary to the dish. It adds a pleasant crunch and a vibrant green color to the plate.
Every bite was a story. The main character, the salmon, had the ideal texture to it. The supporting cast was what made it perfect.
The lemon, various herbs, asparagus, and quinoa on the side made the salmon improve. They worked together to achieve a flavor that few can accomplish.
Jackson enjoyed every bit and piece of it. So much that not even a speck of quinoa was left on it. It was a delightful experience, and he hoped that it would continue.
Not long after finishing the last of his entrees, the waiter brought out another set of plates. Jackson was given the first of many mains. The waiter called it 'The Shrimp Scampi'.
Without hesitation, he devoured the dish in front of him. Momentarily pausing, he absorbed the flavor he had taken in.
"Such softness," he said.
"Such sweetness," he said again.
"Nice garlicky sauce," he said once more.
"The sauce complements the soft and sweet shrimp," he marveled.
As he took a step back, he beheld the sight of the dish. Each shrimp was encased in the garlicky sauce. He tasted the familiar tang of lemon amongst it.
The garlic was perfectly sautéed to bring out the very essence of its being. Without overpowering the others, it added a much-needed savory flavor to the dish.
That wasn't all for the dish. The linguine pasta underneath the many shrimp was prepared to a flawless al dente. It served as the ideal foundation.
The perfect neutral base. It soaked up the scampi sauce along with the zesty tang of the lemon juice. The ideal harmony of flavors.
"This place is the best!" Jackson mumbled.
Jackson savored the intricate flavors contained in the pasta. He spun his fork around the pasta and stabbed one of the many shrimp.
He then lathered it in the sauce that had dripped down to the bottom of the plate. Finally, he could enjoy the full flavor of the dish.
Amid his enjoyment, more plates emerged from the kitchen. What caught his attention was the vibrant red venison steak.
The moment the plate landed in front of him. He turned into a primordial human, a caveman. The robust, earthy flavor of the venison took him into a dense and chilling forest.
The meat's lean tenderness contrasted with the prickly wilderness, where all sorts of plants were.
The meat had the perfect sear to it. It had the ideal smoky aroma that went along with the rich, gamey taste.
From the first cut, it displayed a perfectly medium-rare interior. When he bit into it, fluids went down as if it were a waterfall.
The rich flavor made Jackson imagine how it was raised. It took him to another untamed wilderness.
As he continues to chew, he is lured by the bond between humans and nature. The world before infrastructure. A primal yet sophisticated world.
While enjoying his steak, the waiter brought him his drink. They brought him, his favorite. Which was a cookies and cream milkshake.
"This is the best," said Jackson while sipping on his drink and looking out the coral located just outside the window.
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