fandomtownies | Community Center Class: International Cuisine, Monday evening

Current Location: Sweden

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!ccclass: cooking

Community Center Class: International Cuisine, Monday evening

This week, everyone that showed up for the class was shown directly to a portal instead of being met by Hannibal. Once they were through, Hannibal met them on the other side, in scenic Järpen, Sweden.

"Good evening," he said, smiling. "Tonight we are going to Fäviken. It's been deemed one of the best restaurants on the planet in several polls. The chef and sommelier is Magnus Nilsson, who has proven himself quite adept at both the preparation and the presentation of dinners. He catches the fish himself, all ingredients save for the sugar, salt, and vinegar are local, and there is no set menu from day to day."

He led them to the restaurant. "We have our reservations, and unlike our previous visits, we will be eating whatever is set before us rather than ordering from among dishes, although you're welcome to order your own drinks. I understand the rhubarb wine is particularly interesting."

With a bow, he led them in.

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Ready for a nifty meal!

Lucille Sharpe

Mary Connell

Kanan Jarrus

Enjoy the look of the place, listen to what Hannibal has to say about it

While listening to Hannibal's introduction, Lucille also enjoyed the view of the hills and forests. However, she was continuously distracted by mosquitoes on her hands and neck, and ended up with quite a few bites, despite killing a lot of them. Hopefully there were fewer of them indoors.

They'll be having this meal!

Kanan took care to pause and appreciate every dish that was placed before him. He'd seen a lot of interesting food in his lifetime, of course, but it was difficult to miss how much artistry there was in every dish.

... He did have to follow the lead of the people around him, though, to figure out which things were meant to be eaten, and which were inedible fancy garnish. That scallop shell? Definitely garnish.

Hannibal appreciated that - even if it wasn't his food, it was good to see it properly appreciated.

"How did you like it?" he asked once the meal was over and they were relaxing with drinks.

"It was exceptional," Kanan replied, leaning back in his seat and lifting his drink in a sort of toast to Hannibal. "I have no idea what most of it was, and figuring out what was supposed to go into my mouth and what wasn't was a bit of a challenge considering how decorated it all was, but it tasted great, and it was definitely attractive."

Hannibal grinned and toasted back. "You seemed to be doing well. I was pleased to have the opportunity to bring everybody to a place like this, where every part of the meal is an art."

"I don't think I've ever eaten anything so consistently pretty," Kanan confessed. "Right from beginning to end. And it's one hell of a contrast from the place where everything was fried. Not that that food wasn't fantastic in its own way, but it wasn't much to look at, comparatively."

Sorry, tempura guy.

"The tempura was just as artistic," Hannibal argued, "but in a different aesthetic. There is an art to every piece of the food and where it is placed. But tonight's made more use of color and texture, which are less prevalent with the tempura."

Uh-oh, Kanan; you got him started.

Kanan held up his free hand in a gesture of surrender.

"I didn't mean to imply that there wasn't a master's touch to it," he noted. "There was a lot of obvious draw from tradition there, and I'm certain there was cultural context to the plating that I couldn't begin to guess about. But at the end of the day, art is subjective, right? This meal had more visual appeal for me, made more sense to my unearthly sensibilities, that's all I meant."

Both had plenty of seafood. Both made dramatically different presentations of it.

Hannibal smiled. "No offense taken. I should show you some traditional Western artwork, and traditional Japanese art as comparison, and it might help you to better understand the differences."

"Hey, I could go for that," Kanan replied, giving a thoughtful nod. "It's fascinating. There are differences between cultures on this planet that are every bit as diverse if not more so than some of the differences I've seen between different races from different planets entirely, back in my own galaxy. And I've only barely started to sample what Earth has to offer, I'm sure.

"We have very many incredibly different cultures," Hannibal agreed. "That's part of the interest in a class like this, to me. The opportunity to learn about them, compare and contrast them, through the food."

"And I have yet to be disappointed by any of it," Kanan noted. "I suppose props go to you for having excellent taste, then?"

"I have exquisite taste," Hannibal said modestly, grinning. "And I do my very best."

He's here!

Mary probably should have spoken up earlier about one of her food quirks, but it hadn't really been an issue in previous weeks. "Is the chef going to be insulted if I don't eat red meat?" she quietly asked. "Because I gave up red meat as a teenager and I'm not sure if my digestive system can handle a steak."

Hannibal raised his eyebrows. "Not at all; just skip those things you can't eat. I'll keep that in mind for the future."

"I really am trying to expand my palate, or at least not spend every night eating room service in my hotel room," said Mary. "And everything else I've tried tonight has been amazing."

"I'm pleased to hear it," Hannibal said. "But I shouldn't want you getting sick. Simply eat what you feel you can, and leave the rest. I'm certain you won't be the first person here who's been unable to eat one of the dishes."

This place is about $350 a person. Places I'll never be going for $200...

I may have watched approximately fifty different documentaries about this place. *SIGHS*

I just read a ton of web stories. It sounds pretty nifty, if waaaay out of my price range (plane fare even not included).

They did half a season of Mind of a Chef on it and I maaaay have gotten slightly obsessed.

So it goes on my list of Places I Would Love To Eat Some Day But Let's Be Real I'm Never Going To Pay 200 Euros For A Meal, Really.

Heh. It was closer to 315 when I checked (300 SK, IIRC). US$346. So, yeah. When I win the lottery...

I showed Shannon the link, she asked if it were on Hannibal's bucket list. LOL That sounds about right!

You seem to know more about this place than I do! I've only heard about it.

I googled "best Swedish restaurant", saw it, and researched it. :) It seemed like the sort of thing Hannibal would go for.

Obviously I approve of visiting Sweden :D

:D

Well, he and Jono are there for the week, because Hannibal got sick of the overpowering smell of cheese. LOL

I missed that! Talking about smell, maybe they should try the surströmming (fermented herring). I never have. It smells horrible.

LOL I think we'll both pass!

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Community Center Class: International Cuisine, Monday evening

Sign in

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Listen to the introduction

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Eat and enjoy!

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Talk to Hannibal!

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OOC!

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