Luke's, Wednesday

[vdistinctive]

Eliot was once again feeling secure enough in his relationships with his loved ones not to completely dominate the kitchen.

Which was good, because the cook had apparently gotten into an argument with his estranged identical twin sister, and decided it was his turn to take over the entire kitchen.

"I need three more pounds of ricotta, stat!" he shouted. "And someone start that garlic bread toasting!"

The dishwasher and the busboy exchanged looks, then went back to their respective actual jobs.

"Sorry man," Eliot said, clapping the cook on the shoulder and handing him the ricotta. "You just don't have the authority."

The cook sighed, looking sadly down at his sauce. "I know."

Today's specials
Beef and cheese manicotti
Herbed garlic bread
Tiramisu

Luke's was open and OCD free.

Comments

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando stopped by Luke's again. He caught sight of Eliot through the door and entered. "Eliot, hello! How have you been?"

[vdistinctive]

"Hey, man." Eliot shrugged and gave Hernando a small smile in return. "Hanging in there. You?"

[hernando_fuentes]

"I am well, thank you for asking," Hernando replied, "I put in a request for more Korean tea for you. Someday you must come by and tell me what it is."

He sounded a tiny bit frustrated, "The store decided not to translate the labels for me. It translated the Vietnamese tea with no problem so I must assume it's being difficult for a reason." Because the store had a terrible sense of humor.

Reading the menu produced a hesitant, "You said I must try a burger, no?"

[vdistinctive]

"My kid's better at written Korean than I am, but sure, I could give it a shot." Eliot's Korean was learned primarily from North Korean soldiers shouting at him. "And I can hook you up with a burger, no problem. You want something gourmet, or looking for a more, uh, authentic American experience?"

[hernando_fuentes]

"You could also bring your child by," Hernando offered, "They are welcome in my tea shop."

He'd been in some others where that was not true and made a point to specify.

"What would you recommend for the burger? I place myself in your hands," he smiled.

[vdistinctive]

"She's grown up," Eliot said. "But there are a couple folks on the island with youngin's who'll probably be happy to hear that."

And, you know, sometimes the majority of the population of the island suddenly regressed to under-12, so the "allows children" policy would be appreciated then, too.

"And I can't say without knowin' more about your tastes, man. What kinds of non-burger foods do you like to eat?"

[hernando_fuentes]

He'd missed out on that weekend but had heard it mentioned.

"I like most food," Hernando replied, "Not so much fast food, though. I tried a thing called Mooby's the other day."

Stomach full of regret. "It was edible. I am not sure I would go back."

"I am perhaps a bit of a snob."

[vdistinctive]

"Yeah, I meant like flavors and stuff, man. I'm gonna try not to be offended by you feelin' the need to tell me you don't want a fast food quality burger."

Eliot was a trained haute cuisine chef, thank you very much.

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando chuckled softly. "I did not think you would serve me one. Flavors. Hm."

He gave it a moment of introspective thought, "Today, perhaps smokey, spicy, with an afternote of sweetness."

Barbecue, Hernando, you're describing barbecue. Except he isn't because that would overpower the taste of the burger.

[vdistinctive]

"See, now that I can work with. Grab yourself a seat anywhere, and I'll whip something right up. You want something to drink with that?"

[hernando_fuentes]

"Water would be fine," Hernando assured him. He wouldn't want a sugary soda to affect the flavor, after all, "Thank you."