Haute Cuisine

Pixabay - Haute Cuisine
By pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
Derry, Northern Ireland
April 7, 2017 1:49pm CST
Several discussions recently have gravitated towards food: buying it, preparing it and eating it. Not many have focused on its presentation, how your order has been served up to you. This prompted a memory of a short piece of radio comedy that shows the inventiveness of many dining establishments, but echoes the frustration of the hungry, and thirsty, dîner. It is only 3 minutes, but the slideshow that accompanies it is worth a close watch... What's the oddest thing you have ever seen used to serve up a meal in a pub, restaurant or high-class eatery?
From John Finnimore's Souvenir Programme. Copyright BBC Radio 4.
9 people like this
7 responses
Mike
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr 17
I've been to a few 3 star places. weirdest thing I ever came across was an ipod served with the food. I think I can remember where it was but am not sure so won't say at the moment.
3 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
7 Apr 17
I have heard of places where you get an electronic tablet as you enter, and you place your order on said tablet, as well as pay using your card and an app on the tablet... Not sure if it is yours to use during the meal though.
3 people like this
Mike
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr 17
@pgntwo What I mentioned was about the ipod and it was the fat duck I knew I'd been there just couldn't remember if it was the ipod place but apparently it was Overpriced pretentious rubbish...tasted nice but not my style or budget anymore...but glad I went.
2 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
7 Apr 17
@Mike197602 Heston Blumenthal's renowned for that sort of thing...
2 people like this
Susan
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
7 Apr 17
The only thing I can remember is an iron frying pan. I don't remember where or what the food was but I do remember the pan being served with the food.
3 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
7 Apr 17
A milkshake served in a large light-bulb shaped receptacle, with straw, was one I remember.
4 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
7 Apr 17
@HazySue Like this...
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
7 Apr 17
@pgntwo Now that tis definitely different.
2 people like this
topffer
@topffer (42155)
• France
7 Apr 17
I like the slate tile. I remember a restaurant which was using ceramic tiles for some entrées, another one which was serving a kind of chile in a frying pan... And there are tableware that you see rarely like pans for cassolettes, special plates for tajines, etc. The utensils on the picture, a clamp and a fork, are for a specific French dish, you will guess it.
2 people like this
topffer
@topffer (42155)
• France
8 Apr 17
@pgntwo You guessed it My snail forks are a lot smaller than these ones, but all these forks have only 2 peaks/tops.
2 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
Yes, such an array of implements and drinking vessels present themselves at a banquet... But the plate is still the basis for presenting the culinary delights. Snails notwithstanding ;)
2 people like this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
@topffer Two tines are common on cheese forks too. Tines, or prongs, are the "peaks", or spikes, on a fork.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
8 Apr 17
Nothing weird for what I can remember, I have been served a steak on a Himalayan salt tray and hot fajitas in their iron pan, nothing weird.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
8 Apr 17
@pgntwo No, I would have refused the food, I do not like this kind of alternative plates when it comes to food I am not ready to joke.
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
Nothing served in a bedpan, like one of the pictures shows?
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
@LadyDuck I did enjoy the short audio clip and the slideshow someone put together to accompany it, though...
1 person likes this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (14788)
• Ireland
7 Apr 17
@pgntwo I'm sure there are some who find getting a fish supper wrapped in the Belfast Telegraph a bit unappealing, especially if they're more accustomed to using the newspaper for something else.
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
That's true. Time was you could have uncovered a mound of mammary beneath your cod and chips, most unnerving.
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
@xFiacre A sobering thought...
Gitara
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
9 Apr 17
Very funny and entertaining video...pit in in a plate and put it in a glass. Oh, I do so agree. It's okay to serve it differently but basically food is to be eaten by the hungry.I enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
9 Apr 17
Glad you enjoyed it
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
8 Apr 17
Unshelled crab with a fork and spoon
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Apr 17
Shellfish come on their own plate, some establishments think. Clam chowder still deserves a decent bowl, for those who enjoy such dishes.