Should you stick to what you know?
I am a creature of habit in many aspects but none so more extreme than in food.
When I like something, I will have it over and over again. For example, I always order the same pizza in Rising Sons (pepperoni and feta) – without fail. Even when I am sharing a pizza with the wonderful Mr T, he will have to put up with my favourite toppings.
When Idaho was still in operation, I told Mairead that she was not allowed to ever take the potato bake off the menu. It was so delicious that I still drool when thinking about it.
In Butter Bubble café, I always order the apple green tea bubble tea and a custard puff (I love that it is not overly sweet) – the staff always smile when I order as if saying, don’t bother: we know.
When dining in Greenes, you can be assured that I always order the hake. First off, it is my favourite fish and second, they really know how to treat fish with respect and skill.
We recently have been to Thompsons in McCurtain Street and I love the prawns pil pil – one of the few places where they don’t overcooked prawns.
Years ago, I used to have regular breakfast in Liberty Grill and you might have guessed it, I always ordered scrambled eggs and sauteed mushrooms with toast – without fail. When Café Paradiso still had an a la carte menu, things were a bit tricky as the menu changed through the seasons (something I actually love) but you could be assured that I always ordered the couscous cake with haloumi when it was available (that reminds me that I have to taste the current menu before it changes again).
When in Dublin, I used to go to Pichet for a 3 course lunch and it was always the same two courses with dessert changing depending on my mood. Compressed cucumber with goat cheese for starter, salt cod for main course – it was so delicious that I considered running off with the chef (don’t tell Mr T).
When going to an Indian restaurant, I have two dishes I am fond off – one is malai kofta (vegetable balls in a creamy cashew sauce) – and mater paneer (Indian cheese in a creamy sauce). Both dishes are so flavoursome that I am in love with them since the first day I tried them in a restaurant in Berlin many moons ago.
Does this make me a boring person? Maybe but I enjoy these foods just too much to be bothered what people think. And yes, I might be missing out on other awesome food but the risk to be disappointed is too high for me. What if I dislike the new dish and think how wonderful the old dish would have been if I had just resisted the urge of trying something new?
So, when I have company for lunch or dinner, I tend to persuade the person to try something I haven’t had and I dare to taste from theirs.
For me, it’s the best way to ‘try’ a new dish without having to go without my favourite food. So, if you ever go out with me, be aware, my fork will wander over to your plate!