Tasting Menu Novels & Stories

“Champagne?” Tumango si Axel sa waiter na nakatanaw sa gilid. “Dalawang bote. And please, start us with the chef’s tasting menu.” Nang umalis ang waiter, hinila ni Axel ang upuang nasa tabi nito at marahang tinapik ang sandalan. “Eli, sit here.” Kahit ayaw niyang tumabi dito, wala siyang nagawa, tahimik siyang naupo, iniipit ang laylayan ng palda sa ilalim ng hita.

Agad niya in-excuse ang sarili at sinagot ang tawag. "Hello, Elle's Food Catering how may I help you?" sagot niya mula sa kabilang linya. 'Elara, its me Clarisse. I called to inform you that the my clients canceled their inquires and bookings to other catering services because they had the tasting and yours were their favorite.' Nangunot naman ang noo ni Elara nang marinig iyon. "What do you mean with that, Miss Clarisse?" 'That means, you will be catering the entire event. Please do 7 desserts, 11 main courses, and 3 appetizers. Of course we need Rice and pastas, vegetables, and drinks.'

“Ulitin ko lang, Sir, ang order ninyo. One forever and one everlasting overload.” “Yes, you’re right!” Muli siyang napahiya at napatulala sa nag-uusap. Hinawakan na lang niya ang menu na inabot ng waiter para maitindihan ang pinag-uusapan ng mga ito. Totoo nga ang menu ng mga ito at puro pang lovers ang menu doon. “May add ka pa? How about drinks? They have taste-me mango shake . . .” Tumango na lang siya.

Kung anu- ano ang kalolokohan na sinasabi at itinatanong niya rito at wala naman itong mapagpipilian kundi sumagot sa mga tanong niya. Masarap din palang paglaruan ang mokong na ito, eh. sa loob- loob niya. "Naku, ito lang naman pala ang tinutukoy sa menu, eh," aniya na ang tinutukoy ay ang pagkaing inihain ng waiter sa kanila. " Hindi ko makilala ang mga tawag dito sa menu, iyon pala beef lang din na nilagyan ng kung anu- anong dekorasyon. Tapos ang mahal mahal pa. Naku, wala rin itong ipinagkaiba sa tapa na niluluto sa tapsilogan namin. Baka mas mainam pa iyon kasi may libreng toyo, kalamansi, at sili. May libre ding soup, ha. Minsan, punta ka para matikman mo ang pinakamasarap na tapsilog

Ngumiti naman si Thyra kahit gusto na niyang ihampas ang menu. "If you want, Sir, I have suggestions. Dishes that are often eaten here at the restaurant," sabi niya at bahagyang lumapit upang ipakita sa menu ang mga sikat na dishes doon. "No. I want the overlooked food here. I want to choose the food that only I can appreciate it. I don't want to have kaparehas," sagot nito. ‘Ang arte. Ang conyo.’ "If that's what you want, Sir, we can request the chef to cook the food you want that is not on the menu. All the food here has been chosen by someone," sambit ni Thyra saka bahagyang lumayo kay Brett.

It's as if I drink cups of coffee and now my heart is palpitating. Tahimik kong nilagay ang mga pagkain sa mesa. Naroon na siya nakaupo sa palagi niyang inuupuan at nakamasid lang sa bawat kilos ko. I don't have to feel conscious about this since I'm used of people watching me while preparing the food. But, him is an exception. His stare is like a kitchen knife cutting every piece of you, and I'm the main ingredient of his dish. "Sit," he commanded.

He looked at me. And that stare… It made me swallow hard. “You make it look that way,” he said softly. My heart froze. “Damian—” He looked away quickly, clearing his throat. “Order ka na.” I opened the menu, trying to calm down. The dishes were luxurious, lobster bisque, seared scallops, truffle seafood pasta, and desserts like coconut panna cotta. The food arrived beautifully plated, parang artwork. I tasted the bisque and almost moaned.

“Pasensya na, naipit ako sa traffic.” anito at naupo. “Okay lang, kaaalis lang naman ng kliyenteng kausap ko.” pagsisinungalin ko. Tumingin ito sa table. “Kaya ba maraming pagkain?” tanong nito. Tumango ako at ngumiti. “Oo, tumikim lang sila. Hindi sila nagpunta rito para kumain. Parang food tasting na rin. Gusto lang nilang makita ng personal yung mga menu rito.” patuloy ko.

Martha's enthusiasm was infectious as she continued to gush about the restaurant's exquisite features. "And look at the menu! I've never seen such a selection before! Lobster, filet mignon, truffle risotto… It's like a dream come true." Osiris chuckled, his appreciation for the moment mirrored in his eyes. "You're right. The menu here is something else. And the fact that we can enjoy it together makes it even better."

GRAPES “Bakit ka napatawag?” tanong ko sa kabilang linya. “Uhm, wala naman gusto ko lang ma-confirm yung schedule mo bukas for food tasting…” “Food tasting?” “Sa wedding namin, alam mo na, kailangan natin mag food tasting para ma-make sure na masarap naman ang pagkain.” “Uhm, ano eh… hindi kasi ako pwede bukas… may gagawin akong importante.”