Six of Cornwall’s finest slipped down rather nicely
When was the last time you went on a gastronomic journey? One where you put yourself out of your comfort zone and tried things for the first time? For me it was last Saturday and the things I tried for the first time are probably things you are very familiar with and enjoy, if not regularly, but as a treat.
I’m not a fishy person. Never have been. Fish fingers as a kid were as far as it went and even then I managed to get them off the menu long before I left home.
I was ready to try something different though.
I’m fast approaching 50 and I really need to taste these things before I can say I don’t like them, otherwise I’m as bad as my children!
My best friend turned 50 at the weekend. It was suggested that we go to a fish restaurant to celebrate.
I thought to myself - I’m sure they’ll do steak.
It was a lovely location on Southsea seafront.
We watched the ferries arrive and depart and big cruise ships slowly sail past, enjoying a cold, crisp glass of white wine.
A tapas-style starter was served. Who would have thought smoked salmon was so nice! It smells awful when you open the wrapper.
What I wasn’t so sure about were the oysters. Even my wife, who loves fish, was also unsure. Six of Cornwall’s finest arrived on the table.
Loosen with the knife, a small sprinkle of shallots in vinegar and in they went. Do you chew? I did, but only lightly.
Well, it was mainly sea water with a hint of vinegar for me as they churned around in my mouth.
I have to say, it wasn’t too bad. In fact I quite enjoyed the theatre of it all.
Our friends then had dressed crab. They were huge. The claws were bigger than my fist. I watched in awe are they painstakingly picked out the meat... for several hours!
Sadly, the taste of crab made me feel sick so I stuck to the oysters and smoked salmon.
I thought I’d done well enough for the first time.