I've never considered myself a very adventurous eater. In fact, I've been pretty picky throughout my life, turning down pasta if it was slightly overcooked, or the wrong macaroni shape (I know, I know. I've finally moved past that one). But recently, I've decided to step outside my comfort level and try new foods. There are limits to this of course, but I'm slowly getting there.
On a trip to Hilo a few weeks ago, we stopped at The Seaside Restaurant, known for its fresh fish. And how right the reputation was - the fish was caught no more than five feet from where we sat at our table. How could I turn down the opportunity to have the freshest fish I'd ever have in my life? I couldn't. And I didn't. :)
When the whole fish arrived, I found myself actually excited - unlike a fish meal I had a few years ago... Well, I didn't exactly have it. I ordered it and couldn't bring myself to eat it because it was staring at me. (they didn't tell me that was going to happen when I read the menu)
But my how things have changed. When my meal of pan-fried crispy Aholehole served with daikon-suri arrived at the table, I couldn't wait to dig in.
It was fantastic. The small round dish was filled daikon-suri and per the waiter's suggestion, I added soy sauce and dipped portions of the fish into it. Amazing!I tried to be polite, as it was a nice restaurant, and use a fork and knife, but after a few minutes it was clear that the easiest way was just to eat with my hands. No one around seemed to mind and at the end of the night, only bones were left on my plate. I give the whole experience an A+.
Yep, I've come a long way from the Pokemon shaped macaroni I refused to eat ten years ago :)
6 comments:
Oh! You're so much braver than I. :)
Yikes! I'm sure it was delicious, but I just can't...
Although soy sauce DOES sound good.
I do have a rule that I don't like to make eye contact with my food, though I did break this once when we were staying with a poor family in the Philippines on a Habitat for Humanity trip. They'd gone to great lengths to give us a breakfast that unfortunately included a whole fish, staring straight at me! It would have been rude to not eat it, but it was traumatising.
How'd you get over your fishy fears? Maybe I need to learn how...
mmm fish. I've actually done seafood two nights in a row- I feel like i'm at the beach ;-)
The eyes...they are staring at me even though they aren't...weird.
Janna - It's been a process and even as I was eating, I couldn't believe I was actually eating it.
Melanie - I surprised myself!
Alisha - That would have been horrible to have just been served it! Because I ordered it, I was prepped for it. And don't worry, I still have my fishy fears. Just taking it one dish at a time.
Colby - I love seafood! Although I tried not to look at the eyes when I was eating, lol.
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