Welcome to The Duality of Man, an original animanga role-play that features numerous supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, these various species have distanced themselves because of the war that occurred thousands of years ago, plaguing some with eyes that only see their dualism. While others meddle themself with their differences, two groups fight, each attempting to eliminate the other in for their definition of worldly peace. These two groups of the Terror Response Syndicate (TRS) and the Assembly of Phantoms (AP). With individuals fighting merely over their differences, it brings uncertainty to the outcome of this war.
We happily accept all role-players as long as they obey the rules and are capable of meeting our word count of 50. This does include those who are unfamiliar with this style of role-playing. The staff of The Duality of Man are willing to happily help those who are new to the role-playing world so they feel comfortable on site. Feel free to message the staff if you need help, they can be found here or in the site Discord and will gladly answer questions alongside calm concerns. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear them; guests may use the support board as a suggestion area as well. Should you decide to join, may I say welcome to the site and we all hope you enjoy your time here.
Yours Truely,
The Staff
season
Summer 2024
Heat has broken through into a glorious summer. The snow has entirely dried through the spring, leaving to the brilliance of the warmer months. Terror activity has risen as people are brought out of their homes, leaving the TRS in a position of consistent work. Each are attempting to maintain victory in the endless struggle for power.
Since the wonderful members of TDOM enjoy the site enough to play around on it, this thread is to assist with the site's tidying! Functionality is important and we want to make the site functional even if its activity will be minimal at best!
Exploits of the Gourmet Stray[break] By Miss Kitty
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Query #6: She See Sushi
[break] Hello, all! [break][break] It's been a long week, but we're back to it. I'm taking another Query today, this one sent in by Maddie Lenton: [break][break]
[attr="class","question"] "I've been to a few sushi places in the city, but none of them have been very good. Any recommendations?"
[break] Frankly, I'm shocked the topic hasn't come up sooner. I love seafood, sushi especially! It's unfortunately true, however, that a lot of the places you'll find in Lorsette that serve it don't do it much justice. Before I start talking about specific places you can go for some damn fine fish, there are a couple things you can keep in mind when looking for a sushi joint:
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Sushi Tips [break] Look for specifically Japanese restaurants. Generic "Asian food" places, for the most part, don't tend to excel in any one cuisine, least of all something as niche as sushi. In general, also avoid common grocery store pre-packaged sushi. This isn't to say the stuff is terrible—in fact, there's some surprisingly tasty grocery store or gas station sushi out there! But even if you frequent an Asian supermarket, where it tends to be much better than elsewhere, the stuff you can buy in a restaurant is usually far leagues above.
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With that out of the way, let's start talking about the best sushi restaurants in Lorsette:
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For your money: Shokudo Bar
[break] If you're looking for a great deal on some tasty Japanese fare, I can't recommend the Shokudo Bar enough. Shokudo (食堂), from what I've read, roughly translates to cafeteria or dining hall, so... the cafeteria bar? Don't let the less-than-inspired name fool you though, this little place doesn't mess around when it comes to the food. They serve a bunch of different Japanese dishes, with some personal favourites including their veggie udon noodle soup and their fantastic charcoal-grilled mackerel. [break][break] Obviously, I can't leave out the main event: their sushi. Good news: it's great! The selection isn't as extensive as some other restaurants, but you won't hear me complaining if that just means the stuff they do serve is that much better. More good news: it's dirt cheap. Seriously, I went with a friend and we ordered a huge sushi platter, a bowl each of soup, a plate of tempura shrimp, and a couple glasses of an Adult Beverage. When we got our bill, we thought they'd miscalculated, because it came to less than $30 per person. So yeah, if you're in the mood to stuff yourself to the point of penitence on a budget, the Shokudo Bar is the place for you.
[break] If you have a bit more money to spend and desperately crave social contact, look no further than Sushiya Sushi. (You know this place has gotta be good because they have sushi in the name twice.) Now, opinions may differ on what makes for a "good" restaurant atmosphere, and I absolutely understand if this place isn't everyone's cup of tea. But you know what? I enjoyed the experience of being crowded around a big, square bar next to half a dozen equally confused strangers a lot more than I thought I would. The atmosphere was chaotic and exciting, and there were a lot of laughs to be had. [break][break] Now, the food: it's pretty good! I've definitely had better, but I enjoyed everything I ate. Friend karaage chicken? Can't go wrong! Steamed clams in sake sauce? Love it. I found out the hard way that their grilled cod is bone-in, but it was still tasty. My favourite part, though, was our sushi chef and server. His name was Genki, and he was my favourite. The bar surrounded him on all sides, and we got to see him make all our sushi (it was refreshing to see a chef washing their hands, rather than having to take their word for it). He was incredibly friendly, too! He kept reaching over the bar to point at things on the menu he thought I'd like, and I'm sure I got more than one item that wasn't even on the menu? ("You'll love this! I'll make it for you, just hold on!" He was great.) Now, despite there being a per-customer service charge, it's not all-you-can-eat, and you have to pay for everything, including a surcharge for anything you don't finish. It's a bit pricey as far as I'm concerned, but getting to know Genki over the course of my meal was an absolute treat.
[break] Now, what if you don't care for your wallet, and just want the best-tasting sushi in Lorsette, no matter the cost? Well, as happens so often on this blog, we must ourselves away to the hipster district downtown, where we find ourselves at the hallowed (and frankly bizarre) Octopus Garden, which I will most certainly be covering on its own in a future post. Seated at the corner of Foghorn and Chinatown, it is the perfect blend of modern surrealist hipster culture, a decidedly Asian eye for aesthetics, and one man's unhealthy obsession with the Beatles. Contrary to my advice above, the best sushi I've ever had in Lorsette does not come from a specifically Japanese restaurant, but was instead made by a guy called Dwayne while I jammed along to Ticket to Ride. This was where I spent my birthday last year, and to this day I can't tell how much of it was a fever dream I had after listening to Revolution Number 9 on loop for a couple hours. [break][break] This is one of those places where their party platters are meant to feed 20+ people, so obviously myself and a half-dozen friends pitched in to buy one and finished it ourselves, to the surprise and horror of our understandably distressed waitress. My friends and I consider it the best bad decision we ever made. (If you plan to do this, make sure to call ahead—their largest platters have a week-ahead minimum reservation.) I counted four different kinds of roe, five varieties of surf clam, and three different species of crab. There was eel cooked in various styles from across Japan, seasoned baby octopus (arranged on, you guessed it, a "garden" of seaweed), some shockingly tasty fermented fish, and more sushi rolls than I could be bothered to count. My favourites were the temari sushi balls, which were beautifully and delicately put together and brought out on one of those multi-tiered tea trays they use to hold their scones and little sandwiches in every British period drama you've ever watched. Each one had a different combination of toppings, and all together they looked like a pile of jewels. Delicious, delicious jewels. Suffice to say, I will absolutely be returning to this place to try everything else they have to offer... [break][break] ...as soon as my wallet allows.
There you have it, Maddie. I hope you get to try any or all of these places (if you go to Octopus Garden, can I come?), and I hope your experiences there will be as good as mine were. There are plenty of other places that do good sushi, these three are just the ones I felt deserved the spotlight this week. Sushi is an incredibly delicious and varied genre of cuisine, and you can absolutely tell when the people making it genuinely care about what they're doing. Have a great week everyone, and happy eating!
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Cheers!
[attr="class","shell-right"] ... [break][break] Miss Kitty is a private food blogger living in Lorsette, Newfoundland. [break][break] She enjoys spending too much of her pocket money on her endless quest to try all the best restaurants in the Lorsette area (and a few beyond). She also enjoys collecting trinkets, sewing, and cats. [break][break] ...
Exploits of the Gourmet Stray[break] By Miss Kitty
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Storytime #2: Warming Up
[break] Anyone who knows anything about me is fully aware that I detest the cold. I wear heavy jackets in the summer. I have purchased multiple and numerous extra blankets just to cover the hardwood and linoleum floors of my apartment. I keep my gas stove on all day long to keep warm (I do not actually do this, you can stop sending me emails). All of this is to illustrate the atypicality of my decision to take a brisk, early morning walk into town on the coldest, snowiest day of the first winter I spent living in Lorsette. The snowfall was so thick I couldn't see to the other side of the street, and as I had yet to invest in a cell phone by which to navigate, I began wondering if I would ever find my way back home. In a daze, I walked through a small brick and cobblestone alleyway, turning onto the next street over and beginning to wonder how long I could survive if I were to cook my leather mittens. [break][break] Then: Sanctuary. [break][break] In the bleak blinding grey of snowy downtown, I stumbled upon a small café I'm sure, in hindsight, I must have passed several times before. In front, beneath a tasteful awning, stood a sign. One which promised salvation.
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[attr="class","post-img"] [break][break] An approximation of the placard in question. Graphic design is not my passion. [break][break]
Be not afraid, it said to me, for, behold, I bring good tidings of great joy. Needless to say, upon seeing this, I rushed in as quickly as possible, tracking an inch of snow in my path as I struggled to shut the door behind me. Contrary to the blinding snowfall and howling winds outside, the restaurant was warm in both climate and lighting. Wallpaper designed with antique maps of the world covered the back wall, and all the furniture was dark-stained wood. It was a small place, and for a moment I worried it might have been closed, since there was no one in sight. However, a mildly perplexed-looking fellow soon came to greet me. It was at this point I first learned the place was called the Plenty Mill Café. The fellow's name presently escapes me, something which I'm ashamed to say, as for the hour and a bit I stayed at that café, he was my best friend in the whole world. [break][break] Let's call him Devon for this story. [break][break] Despite the terrible weather and the early morning, Devon was energetic and superbly friendly. He was, so the story goes, one of the only people to show up to work because of the weather, and everyone was sure they wouldn't get any business that day. Devon, of course, was my de facto waiter. I, myself, was delighted to learn that the place I'd wandered into was a chocolate café (a delightful restaurant genre I dearly wish to see more of), where they serve all manner of waffles, crêpes, cakes, and sundaes, all paired with various and indulgent applications of chocolate. Dark, milk, and white chocolate; drizzled, shaved, melted, or otherwise; fondue; hot chocolate; milkshakes of abundant flavours; the list goes on. They also served the standard breakfast and brunch fare like omelettes, ham, sausages, you get the gist. While I was more than happy to indulge in a hearty breakfast of strawberry crêpes, cheesecake, and the finest mocha milkshake I've ever spent money on, you may have guessed that I was here on a mission: I wanted those churro donuts. It was at this moment that Devon went from a kindly waiter at a café impressed by my appetite, to a superhero. [break][break] You see, they had several options of toppings for their churro donuts. Chocolate and hazelnut, honey almond nougat, s'mores, stuff like that. But when I inquired with Devon as to what toppings were available, did he tell me all these options? Of course. However, he did not merely tell me this. No, he took a step further, going beyond the call of duty and rising above his station, daring to dream radiant dreams of most excellent customer service. It was a simple phrase, but one that changed my outlook on life: [break][break] "You know, it's not like we have to serve anyone else... if you just tell us anything you want on it, we'll make it for you." [break][break] I look back on this moment when I have to remind myself that good still exists out there in the world. [break][break] He said it with such a mischievous expression too, like he was roping me into a heist. I remember my bewilderment and excitement at the prospect. I got to, like, design my own churro donut? Like a secret menu item? The possibilities were endless, but I knew the offer had to be limited. Even if I came back and he remembered me, this was a rare opportunity born of exceptional circumstances, and I had to make it count. He gave me a few minutes to mull it over, which I appreciated, as I immediately began compiling possible flavour combinations, referencing every part of the menu for inspiration. In the end, I settled on two topping combinations. What were they? Well... I'm not going to tell you.
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[attr="class","post-img"] [break][break] The Google results for "mystery churro" are remarkably inconclusive.
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...Okay, I'll tell you one of them. It was dipped in matcha sauce, covered with strawberry slices, and drizzled with white chocolate sauce, and it was excellent. However, I'm serious about the second one, which I shall guard like a precious treasure. It was a masterpiece, and I don't want its secrets falling into the wrong hands. Speculate all you like, food theorists, I know you're out there. But I digress. [break][break] So, what's the point of this story? Well, I mostly just wanted to talk about a very good customer service experience I had, one which legitimately improved not just my meal, but my whole week. Is there an example to be taken in Devon's waitering? Sure, I guess. Is it about having the courage to ask for unconventional things in restaurants? I mean, that's a good skill to have; plenty of places will oblige strange requests if you're brave enough to ask. But as I've thought more about it, I realized that what really resonates with me about the whole experience is that it genuinely changed me. I had been living in Lorsette for about eight months when this happened, and I had barely seen any of the city. I was scared living in a new place, not knowing anyone, and having to find my way in a very unfamiliar situation. Like a lot of people, I was drifting through life without much of a direction, living paycheque to paycheque, cooped up in a tiny, barely furnished apartment. I don't know what possessed me to go out on that frigid morning, but it was the first time I'd really been able to open up, relax, and indulge myself in something really nice without feeling like a stranger in a strange land. Not to get sappy or anything, but that snowy morning at the Plenty Mill made Lorsette feel like home to me. I slowly started getting out more, talking to people, and making friends. I wormed my way into a reasonable job I don't dread getting up to go to. I... still live in that tiny apartment, but it's lively and decorated now! [break][break] I still go to the Plenty Mill every now and then, especially with a friend or two. There's nothing more fun than bringing someone who's never been and watching their face light up with excitement when they see the sort of stuff that's on the menu. I've never gotten another custom churro donut from there, nor has Devon ever been my waiter since that first morning. Some may find that particular fact disappointing, but I find it rather poetic. I like to think Devon remembers that day and thinks the same. [break][break] Anyone who knows anything about me is fully aware that I detest the cold. But sometimes, on cold, snowy, early winter mornings, I still get up early to go for a brisk walk. [break][break] Have a great week, everyone. [break][break]
Cheers!
[attr="class","shell-right"] ... [break][break] Miss Kitty is a private food blogger living in Lorsette, Newfoundland. [break][break] As she doesn't have kids, she wishes it were less awkward to ask for kids' menus at restaurants. She just wants the Dino Buddies chicken nuggets, guys, stop making it weird. [break][break] ...
Exploits of the Gourmet Stray[break] By Miss Kitty
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Showcase #5: The Game is A-Paw (read the post I swear that's clever)
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I'm not famous. Obviously. I have no illusions that being a food blogger is glorious or vital work to functioning society. Nevertheless, I'm rather chuffed that a fair few people are pointed my way when it comes to asking about great and affordable restaurants. I guess this is as good an opportunity as any to thank everyone tuning in week after week to hear about my latest indulgences, and especially for those who come to me with recommendations of their own! More than a few great places I've tried have come directly from readers here with very strong feelings about where to find good Turkish cuisine, or babka, or even whatever the hell "cheesy widgets" are.
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All this being said, let's move on to the main point of this Restaurant Showcase. Since I started doing these, I've gotten a bunch of emails with requests or recommendations, but one in particular has been requested more than any other, despite not being a dedicated eatery in the traditional sense...
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[attr="class","question"] Hey, you should totally check out the Tabby Grange! I think it'd be right up your alley (^_^)
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Y'know what? You're right! It's honestly surprising I haven't covered this soo—
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[attr="class","question"] You HAVE to go to the Tabby Grange. Like, now.
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Uh, haha, yeah. I mean, given my branding, you'd think I—
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[attr="class","question"] talk about the the tabby grange coward
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Okay, jeez! I'm doing it!
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Ahem.
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I actually went to the Tabby Grange for the first time a while before this blog existed. Anyone with my particular set of interests (i.e. cats and food) has heard of this place, as it's the premiere cat café in or anywhere near Lorsette. If, unlike me, you didn't fervently consume the entirety of the Sherlock Holmes short story collection as a kid, it may take you a while to realize the name is a playful reference to The Adventure of the Abbey Grange, a nifty little tale, as well as the first and only occurrence of Holmes' famous line, "the game is afoot" (told you it was clever). The owners of the place clearly wanted a... distinct visual brand, so they really went all-in with the Holmes-esque atmosphere. It's not over-the-top, all-Victorian setpieces through and through, but the vintage newspaper clippings, red damask wallpaper, and faux-fireplace certainly made for a unique atmosphere. Not to mention the additions of smoking pipes, half-empty bottles of wine, frayed ropes, and a coat rack with a certain recognizable hat and jacket. All ornamental, of course, but lovely attention to detail regardless.
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Obviously, being a cat café, the most important aspect is being able to interact with the cats. Well, I'm happy to report that they have cats, you can interact with them, and, uh... frankly, there isn't much you can do to make that experience a poor one. Cats are their own reward, after all. I was greeted enthusiastically by an incredibly fluffy grey lady named Baroness, who tried very hard to pretend it was an accident that she kept finding herself at my feet the entire time I was there. I spent about ten minutes with her purring on my lap as we sat on their nifty Victorian settee (with conspicuous knifelike scratches on the armrests, in case you forgot this place was based on a murder mystery). So yes, ten out of ten as far as cats are concerned, no surprises there. When I went, they had about a dozen cats you could meet, and from what I heard, a dozen more still getting acclimated to the space and company.
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Now believe it or not, this is actually a food blog, and I am thus contractually obligated to talk about the food at the Tabby Grange. Drumroll!
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...
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It's alright. Like, I didn't hate anything I had there (panini-pressed chicken wrap, a scone, and a suspiciously vegan matcha latte), but I could probably name a handful of places around town for each of those things that could do them better. But I mean... that's fine. Like I said, the food was at least enjoyable, and my being there was decidedly more for feline companionship than for lunch. But is that fine?
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(This is the part where I get all serious and introspective, by the way.)
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The reason it's taken so long for me to make a post about this place isn't because I hadn't heard of it, but because it's only adjacent to what this blog is about, cat iconography notwithstanding. I was legitimately torn as to whether I'd focus on the somewhat lacklustre café side of the cat café, or brush it off in favour of an overall enjoyable experience playing with cats. As a restauranteur who takes pride in giving honest reviews of the places she visits, I can't feel entirely comfortable singing the praises of a place where my food experience could have been greatly improved. By the same token, I don't want to come down on a place just because I'm a foodie who didn't get the best possible food in a place where food isn't the main focus. Café or not, their mission is to take in cats who need homes and give people the opportunity to come in and provide one for them. It's incredibly important work, and this place happened to take that and add a twist to its aesthetic to make something a little weird and wonderful, and I totally respect that. I will show undying support for any place that helps rescue animals and get them loving families, but I've never been sure if this blog is the place for that. As a café, the place is nicely decorated but otherwise lacking. As a cat café, however, it makes for a great experience I couldn't recommend enough to any cat lover.
So... yeah. To everyone asking for a Showcase of the Tabby Grange, I hope this doesn't come as a disappointment. I do my best to encourage people to think more about the words written than the number at the end, so you'll have to trust me when I say I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, even with a final score lower than you usually see on this blog. The score is meant to purely reflect its merit as an eatery, so just keep that in mind.
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Have a great week everyone, and happy eating!
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Cheers!
[attr="class","shell-right"] ... [break][break] Miss Kitty is a private food blogger living in Lorsette, Newfoundland. [break][break] In her spare time, she likes to wear sunglasses in restaurants to feel important. [break][break] ...
Exploits of the Gourmet Stray[break] By Miss Kitty
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Query #7: Lovey and/or Dovey Special
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Hello, all! [break][break] Good for you for surviving February, I'm proud of you. Now, you may quite reasonably say that I'm a little late to the Valentine's Day train, but that doesn't mean I've missed my chance to talk about it! To wit, I get this kind of question pretty frequently:
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[attr="class","question"] "What's a good spot for a first date?"
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Short answer: who knows? While I'm flattered that some expect me to have a good answer to this question, the fact is that I'm not particularly romantically involved, as it were. I haven't been on a date with any kind of romantic stakes since I was fourteen, and I pretty much learned my lesson after that. This isn't to say I don't know some lovely places around town I think anyone would be charmed to meet up at, because I do! Just don't expect any sage dating wisdom from this gal. [break][break] While the list of places you could take someone to is basically endless, and the ideal location varies wildly depending on both your and your partner's preferences, if you're looking for a classic as-seen-on-TV date experience, I have a couple places in mind just for you. Step into the swan boat, ladies and gentlemen, and allow me to spirit you away to...
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Theoretical Date Spot #1: The Keen Bean Coffee Patio
[break] Lorsette is home to a host of lovely cafés, coffee shops, and tiny diners, but if I had to pick one that could never do me wrong, it would be the Keen Bean. This pristine little place juts out into that weird 3-way intersection joining Vincent and South Knight, making for a scene composed suspiciously like Nighthawks. However, distinctly unlike a Hopper painting, the Keen Bean is a brilliant gem of an eatery on an otherwise crowded yet unassuming street corner. If you asked me, I would say this would make for an absolutely charming date spot on something of a budget. [break][break] So, what makes this place special? Well, you can feel it as soon as you walk in the door. The outside is composed of that old-school black-stained wood like an old pub, but inside everything is ivory-white, with comfortable lighting and a wonderful view through the whole place. The first thing you notice: flowers. Everywhere. Plant pots on wall-mounted shelves. Plants on the windowsills. Hanging planters and those weird Japanese moss-ball things. Dangling stems from the railing above the patio. Patterns of vines and filigree on the walls. There's no corner left untouched by vibrant, well-kept flora. Then you hear the music, gentle enough so as not to impose, but always audible. Then the aromas hit you: delicate floral fragrances, roasted coffee, all kinds of teas. If they made the experience of walking into the Keen Bean for the first time a perfume, I would drink it straight from the bottle and die happy. [break][break] As you may have surmised, the café also sports a full outdoor patio in addition to the indoor seating. It's nothing you haven't seen before, but on a nice day, nothing quite beats a good cup of black coffee and a croissant as sun streaks through the foliage above. [break][break] Alright, that's enough waxing poetic. How's the food? Well, it wouldn't be in my top five cafés if it weren't very good. Obviously, full-on restaurants could bring you more impressive meals, but as far as coffee patios go? You'd be genuinely surprised how good the stuff is. If you find yourself there in the morning, I'd recommend the Julietta breakfast sandwich (fried egg, cheese, tomato, and green onion on ciabatta? Sign me up.), and a sticky bun if you're feeling frisky. If you're in the mood for something more brunchy and/or lunchy, get anything you like. It's all good. (If you're wondering, I'm partial to the French onion soup, myself.) Now, don't tell anyone I told you this, but even though they don't update the written menus between lunch and dinner, there are a few extra dinner options. If you happen to be with someone special and you don't mind sharing something, I sincerely urge you to order the Shakshouka, and not just because it's fun to say. They make it with like, a dozen little quail eggs, which looks adorable, and has feta and all kinds of herbs and it's devastatingly delicious. Deliriously so, even. I don't care how bad your date is going, that thing makes a night out worth it. [break][break] Keen Bean Coffee Patio [break] Food: 4/5 [break] Atmosphere: 5/5 (and beyond!) [break] Price: 3.5/5 [break] Staff: 3/5 [break] Total: 15.5/20 [break][break][break]
Theoretical Date Spot #2: Old Şömine Turkish Eatery
[break] Alright, maybe this wouldn't be everyone's first idea when they think of a date spot, but bear with me here. [break][break] Anyone who lives in Lorsette knows the city has a small but very prosperous Turkish community, pretty strongly centralized in the southern end of the Downtown area, marking out its own little district of businesses I have every intention of covering in more detail in a future post. I may seem biased in suggesting somewhere here, given my open and infinite love of Turkish and all other Mediterranean cuisine, but hear me out, okay? Old Şömine is my best suggestion for a great date-night restaurant if you've got a bit more money in your pocket. Oh, and I mean that literally—they're unfortunately a cash-only joint. [break][break] Okay, tips for eating at this place? Call ahead. It's a bit small (I believe "cozy" would be the diplomatic term) and usually has a waiting list, so I would recommend making a reservation. Once you get in, appreciate the dim, warm lighting and the din particular to these small foreign restaurants, because—and this may sound weird—this is one of my favourite-sounding restaurants in the city. The atmosphere just does something to people, man. Everyone who sits down at this place takes on a weirdly distinct hushed but relaxed tone of voice, and it all just melds together into this super inviting ambience to which written description doesn't do justice. The staff are super friendly and very open about their food preferences (trust me, they know best), and if you're lucky, you'll be seated near their centrepiece, a big iron stove converted into a sort of fireplace (Şömine, if you haven't googled it already, is Turkish for "fireplace," go figure). The flames are real, and very soothing to sit near. Ten out of ten fireplace. [break][break] As for food choices... It really isn't the sort of place I can make specific recommendations for, both on account of how much there is to choose from, and the fact that everything is good. I love lamb, I love chicken, I love seafood, and these guys do all those things a thousand different, equally excellent ways. On that note, there are two main strategies at Old Şömine: look up the menu beforehand so you know exactly what you'll order ahead of time, or... just wing it. I'm serious! If you're the type that normally agonizes over food choices, I strongly suggest you try this place just for the opportunity of emptying your mind, pointing at three random things on the menu, saying "sure, I'll have those," and then having a great meal because it never mattered. Pilaf, döner, shish, lahmacun, köfte, grilled stuff, chopped stuff, fresh stuff; unsurprisingly also a great place for coffee and tea. Just close your eyes, allow the spirit of the place to flow through you, and focus on good food with good company. [break][break] That's a mighty fine date experience, if you ask me. [break][break] Old Şömine Turkish Eatery [break] Food: 5/5 [break] Atmosphere: 4/5 [break] Price: 2/5 [break] Staff: 5/5 [break] Total: 16/20 [break][break][break]
These two recommendations represent what I would consider "ideal" spots, but as I said, the list is extensive. To compensate, I've prepared a list of honourable mentions I feel would be great meetup spots, depending on your particular style of date: [break][break] • The Right Whale Bore [break] Pricey but delicious seafood restaurant with a great eye for aesthetics, and real seafaring history to boot. [break][break] • The Lobster Hubbub [break] Similar to the Right Whale Bore, but less expensive and with less variety. A more rugged maritime experience. [break][break] • Octopus Garden [break] A very expensive but so worth it haute-cuisine hipster Asian fusion joint, perfect for the deranged Beatles lover in all of us. [break][break] • The Golden Crown [break] If bars are more your style, the Golden Crown by the coast is a lovely little hideaway perfect for a late night out. [break][break] • Quantum Pearl [break] If you're planning on dating a mad scientist, go here. Nothing I can say will prepare you. [break][break] • Chiliad Fusion [break] Greek-Mediterranean fusion cuisine! Candlelit; perfect if you like vaulted ceilings. If you skip on the calamari, I will find you. [break][break] • Maison Tranquil [break] Dig fancy French joints? If not, now you do. [break][break] • Modesti [break] Has the distinction of being Lorsette's highest restaurant, sitting on the 35th floor of a glassy high-rise downtown. Celebrities who eat there are asked to sign their skylight, like some kind of aberrant Sistine Chapel. I recommend their specialty pizzas. [break][break] I hope these recommendations could give all you lovers out there some ideas. I certainly wouldn't mind being taken to any of these places, but that's just me. Valentine's Day or no, there's never a bad time for a good meal, and it only gets better if you can share it with someone you like. Have a great week, everybody.
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Cheers!
[attr="class","shell-right"] ... [break][break] Miss Kitty is a private food blogger living in Lorsette, Newfoundland. [break][break] Yes sir, I'm aware the lovers' platter is meant for two. No, I'm not waiting on anyone. What are you, a cop? [break][break] ...
Exploits of the Gourmet Stray[break] By Miss Kitty
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Happy New Year Maybe!
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At time of writing, I have no idea when you're going to see this. Depending on how things go for the next few weeks, it could be as soon as New Year's Eve, but more likely will be a bit later. The exact reasons why aren't particularly exciting or relevant. [break][break] What is relevant is the subject of this very special holiday post. Why's it special? Well, not only is it (probably) a new year, it's also (potentially) very close to the two-year anniversary of this blog's inception! We're finally entering our terrible twos here, and boy have I got some nifty tricks up my sleeve for the coming months to prove it. [break][break] However, this is all beside the point. We're here for food talk, and talk food we shall. [break][break] No eateries this week, no restaurants or cafés; no, we're dedicating this one to something bigger. If you've been in Lorsette very long (haven't we all), then you've no doubt heard of or even attended the Ville des Fêtes winter market that's put on every year up in the North End. If you weren't aware of this, I welcome you back to the surface from the long hibernation you've been in under that rock there. Have a biscotti or something. [break][break] For many, the winter market is a holiday affair largely for the sake of gift preparation for Christmas and whatnot. And for good reason, too; crafters and artists of all sorts have their wares on display, many just the kind of quirky weirdness your less uptight relatives would love to receive. For me, though, the star of the market is the food stalls. Groundbreaking, I know! Food vendors are everywhere with sweets and pastries and even miniature popup restaurants! Having arrived with a budget (and some extra, just in case), I of course prioritized my eating experience and spent two afternoons trying as many as I could. Absolutely. Worth. it. [break][break] To carry on a proud tradition of wildly scrupulous lists on this blog, I'll briefly summarize some of the greatest hits in terms of fare I got to try: [break][break] - Tire sur la neige, made with several varieties of locally-sourced maple syrup.[break] - Panpepato. I'm pretty sure it's Italian? It was delicious though.[break] - Làngos, which, let's be real, are just Beaver Tails except sometimes they put bacon on them.[break] - Roasted almonds. No joke, you can smell these from across the entire market.[break] - Potato pancakes, which I crave and adore every day of my life.[break] - Chimney cakes! I think they look very goofy. They remind me of penguins for whatever reason.[break] - Baumkuchen, which are those German log-cakes that are apparently getting popular nowadays.[break] - Miniature pancakes? Little Danish morsels whose actual name I will not threaten to misspell.[break] - Flame-grilled salmon, oh my. Oh my. Seafood is my weakness, and a freshly grilled salmon you get right off the rack is just—excuse me. I need a minute.[break] - A million varieties of marzipan treats. I bought some assorted boxes as last-minute gifts.[break] - Kebabs of chocolate-covered fruit, which I hadn't seen before. They're not new, I'm just rather dim.[break] - Super duper thick-cut fries. Seriously, they were nuts (but delicious).[break] - Waffles, needing no explanation or further commendation.[break] - Crèpes, much the same.[break] - Crescent-shaped vanilla cookies; I can fit six in my mouth at once and have been banned from the stall.[break] - Gingerspice cookies, yummy yummy.[break] - Flatbreads with all kinds of toppings, flambéed no less![break] - And, in the evenings, a hearty serving of mulled wine. Me oh my does that stuff warm you up on a brutal Winter's night. [break][break] Okay, I hear you say, you had a bunch of treats at this market. Congrats. What's the deal? How's this worth a blog post? [break][break] I'll tell you how, disenchanted reader, and it comes with a fun little secret: it's not actually about the food, it's about the people making the food. Gotcha! I think? What I mean to say is, while I'm more than happy to recommend a food tour of the market for its own sake (the stuff is delicious and in excess, after all), I think the value here is that it puts small business owners in a densely-populated venue where they can get all kinds of business they don't at any other time of the year. That's an excellent thing in and of itself, but even more than that, it facilitates connections. I didn't just get some maple taffy, I also got the contact info for the family who tapped the syrup themselves—and I just put in an order for a couple jugs of the stuff recently. Pancake Thursdays are about to get wild, you guys. [break][break] I think that's what's really special about Ville des Fêtes, and all the events like it, is that festivals and markets encourage people to really connect with the vendors they're buying from; it feels much more valuable to pick up a meal not from a shelf or a menu, but from, like, Dominik the babka guy. It doesn't seem that impactful in theory, but when you go with the intention of making connections—networking, in other words—you uncover a whole new world of value in these transactions. I haven't lived in Lorsette too long, but I still keep in contact with a lot of vendors I met at this same market two, even three years ago. Heck, there's a patissier I met there who still sends me birthday cards. [break][break] It's a wonderful feeling to get your food from someone you know and trust, be they butchers or bakers. And they love when people take an interest in their work, trust me. So if you're the type to think about making New Year's resolutions, consider this: think about the people who make and sell the things you eat. If you can, make an effort to connect with them! I don't think you'll soon regret it. Happy holidays, folks.
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Cheers!
[attr="class","shell-right"] ... [break][break] Miss Kitty is a private food blogger living in Lorsette, Newfoundland. [break][break] She enjoys sipping on hot chocolate in the dead of night, with only the white velvet coat of snow on the sill for company. It makes her feel like a Hallmark greeting card. [break][break] ...
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