Meals I Ate Recently That I Cannot Stop Thinking About

There are moments in your life that you think about often from the day they were born. For me, these moments are usually contained inside a bowl or on a plate. To this day, I still think about that apple tart tatin from The Savoy Grill that I consumed years ago. In this article, I share a handful of dishes (and drinks) that were so tasty, it felt only right to tell someone about them.

Vietnam Free Range Chicken “Curry” - Viet Food

Each time I visited Chinatown, I would walk past a restaurant that seemed so familiar to me - Viet Food. One of those days, I remembered that here is where my father and I dined once. The memory is close to my heart, I just did not know the location was so close in distance. Accepting my request to do so, my sister and I ate our dinner at Viet Food. Sitting around a bar with tourists and locals, I struggled to read the menu as my eyes quietly flooded. This is exactly where we sat. Gratefully, I had my sister by my side for comfort - as well as some delicious food. I was craving a curry, and I believe it may be because that is what I ate with my father many years ago. After placing my order, I asked the couple next to me what dish was in the black ceramic they were eating from. When they confirmed it was the chicken curry, I sat content with my decision. Tender meat coated a rich and nutty sauce, which I accompanied with a bowl of simply steamed rice. What made the dish so memorable, other than the comforting and satisfying flavours, was the topping of boiled vermicelli noodles. I had never seen this feature on any curry before, but it added a range in texture that I enjoyed.

Virgin Tom Yam - Sushi Samba

Despite being engulfed in the glamour of the Sushi Samba bar, it is difficult not to notice your stomach drop at the price of one non-alcoholic beverage. However, the second I took a sip of this particular drink, I was glad to pay what I did. Instead of requesting a Virgin Mojito, which is usually my go-to, I took a risk and ordered a Virgin Tom Yam. Now I know why people say “No Risk, No Reward”. The cocktail was perfectly balanced with flavours of coriander, chilli and lime. It was not too sweet, as many cocktails can be, so I enjoyed each sip until the very end - with no unpleasant after-taste. Never have I tasted a Tom Yam soup, but if it tastes like this drink, I will not let my eyes skip over it on any menu.

Slow Braised Short Rib Ragu Pappardelle - 108 Brasserie

Walking past a row of Parisian seats where groups of friends sit, sipping on Aperol and gossip, I was immersed inside an elegant restaurant with tall ceilings and chandeliers. For my turning twenty-three, my mother gifted me a meal at the 108 Brasserie that consisted of a buffet of starters and desserts - with the main course being à la carte. I must admit, the starters and desserts were not of an equivalent standard to which the price would suggest. However, the main course was so good that I was willing to overlook that. A fresh egg pappardelle pasta was topped with a braised beef ragu - a deep, glossy sauce containing soft chunks of meat and diced carrots, finished with shavings of parmesan. I was caught slightly off guard by the addition of a vibrant green pesto. Though, this pesto is what made the dish so memorable. It offered a salty and fragrant zest to each mouthful that paired with the meat perfectly. This is a dish I will think about for a while, I am sure.