novel bin Chapter 387 Potato and Pork Stew
Chapter 387 Potato and Pork Stew
Chapter 389 Potato and Pork Stew
Time is like the tail feathers of a totori; it always disappears abruptly in the blink of an eye when you try to grasp it.
Two weeks passed quickly, and when Guskaf stepped into the Sanyo Dojo restaurant again, he unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure.
"Miss Azure, what brings you here?"
Looking at the young detective in the restaurant, the food editor, still wrapped in a suit to conceal his large frame, asked in bewilderment, "After so many days, I never expected to meet you here again."
"Sigh." Miss Azure seemed to be in worse spirits than last time, with dark circles under her eyes, and was leaning weakly against the dining table.
"I still have some investigation tasks to complete in Sanyo City, so I stayed for a while. In addition, I also need to help Tento and the others with food tasting. I'm juggling two tasks at the same time, so I'm extremely busy."
Guskaf was taken aback: "Did Detective Azure also help investigate that dish? Thank you so much. So—is there any progress on that potato and pork stew?"
"It's more than just helping out." The girl hesitated, then sighed. "Let Tian Tong explain the dish to you. You should be able to eat it today."
"Mr. Guskaf, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
As the food editor was talking to Azure, the voice of the Tentong Pavilion Master suddenly came from beside them.
The "food detective" from the Sanyo Dojo was carrying an exquisite silver platter, and the white gloves that matched his waiter's uniform looked spotless under the light.
"Look, this is the dish you asked us to find. To make it, Cohen and I went to the towns of Mountain Road and Ripple, where you used to live, to conduct on-site research. But in the end, this stew was made by Bert, the best cook among the three brothers. Miss Azure also helped us a lot throughout the process."
"That's really a lot," said Azure, who was standing next to him, with a subtle expression on her face.
From initial clue analysis to on-site coordination during visits, from emergency consultations late at night to post-event culinary discussions, plus two weeks of arduous experimentation tasting different versions—the girl rubbed her temples, feeling as if countless flavors of potato and pork stew still lingered in her mouth.
"Thank you all for your hard work. I appreciate your efforts. I will pay the detective fee later. However, the experience of taste is a very subtle thing, and I don't want to compromise on my own professional field of food evaluation. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that I will give a positive review after tasting the food, which may disappoint your efforts—"
"Please don't worry about these things; we have full confidence in the outcome."
Tian Tong placed the covered silver square plate on the table, a calm smile still on her face.
"Are you hungry? Have you eaten before coming here?" the sommelier asked.
Guskaf shook his head matter-of-factly: "I didn't eat anything before coming here because I was looking forward to this meal."
"That's perfect." Tian Tong said with a smile, "Since you only asked us to find potato and pork stew, we made it into a set meal. It's more enjoyable to eat it with the main course and soup."
Before he could finish speaking, the Water-type Gym Leader, Kohn, came forward with a bread basket and a soup bowl. "Enjoy your meal, Mr. Guscalf."
Before the food was even served, the freshly baked bread already emitted a sweet aroma of malt, which mingled with the rich mushroom soup that followed, creating a comforting and reassuring flavor in the restaurant.
"These are all foods produced near Shanlu Town."
Tian Tong methodically introduced the bread to the guests, saying, "The recipe for the country-style bread is inspired by a bakery near your family's old home. That shop has been open for over thirty years, and the soon-to-retire owner still remembers your mother coming to their shop to choose bread. Apparently, this cone-shaped bread, resembling a stone ball, has a fluffy texture and is the boys' favorite. The soup is made with dried ayak shiitake mushroom spores in a vegetable broth."
Locally, people in Shanlu Town believe this dish is good for the stomach and intestines; hopefully, it might bring back some memories.
"Thank you all for your trouble."
Guskaf bowed his head in thanks, somewhat touched, but his gaze remained fixed on the main course hidden under the lid.
"Ah, sorry." Tian Tong reached out and placed the lid on the food, understanding the situation. "It was my oversight; I shouldn't have kept you in suspense at this point—"
"No, this is perfect." The food editor took a deep breath, his chest heaving noticeably beneath his suit. "I need it too—"
Take some time to prepare mentally.
This preparation was indeed necessary. When the silver lid covering the plate was finally lifted, Guscalf's breath visibly paused for a moment.
Tian Tong and Kou En exchanged a knowing glance and retreated to the other end of the restaurant, leaving only the flickering lights illuminating the dining table.
Azure sat silently at the other end of the table, in a dark corner, sipping lemon tea and quietly observing the gourmet's reaction.
Mr. Guscalf frowned in confusion after gazing at the legendary potato and pork stew.
This is natural, because the dish is not red as he remembered, but rather the yellow color popular in the Unova region.
In a square white porcelain bowl, the thick broth was almost overflowing. The artificial meat ribs, cut into small pieces, were soaked in the golden broth, accompanied by chunks of potatoes and radishes, with a few slices of onion and celery stalks floating among them, exuding an irresistible aroma.
Guskaf first smelled the aroma of the food, his furrowed brow relaxing slightly. Then he picked up the prepared bowls and plates and served himself a bowl of stew.
Using a silver fork, the food editor touched the first piece of steak to his tongue. His furrowed brows furrowed again, and his chewing became extremely restrained, as if he were facing a difficult problem.
He then tried potatoes and onions, which eased his expression slightly, but the problem remained before him. Soon, as if he had changed his mind, he forked another piece of steak, examined it carefully before putting it in his mouth, and tilted his head to the side, lost in thought.
Is this how Gusca reviews restaurants when he's doing it all by himself?
Azure, observing the scene from the other side of the dining table, thought to herself.
This is truly a way of eating where you can't enjoy the food at all—compared to that, the day the two of them dined with Zhimi was much more enjoyable.
After taking a cursory sip of the stew, the gourmet picked up the bowl of mushroom and vegetable soup, took a spoonful, and revealed a nostalgic expression, his previously tense demeanor relaxing somewhat.
Then, he picked up a cone-shaped bread from the bread basket, tore it in half, and put the white bread filling into his mouth with the vegetable soup. He squinted his eyes in enjoyment—at this moment, his cheeks had completely relaxed, and he finally showed a bit of the intoxicated expression that a gourmet should have.
Finally, Guscalf straightened his massive body again, dipped a torn piece of bread into the stew broth and put it in his mouth, then forked another piece of steak and ate it.
Chew, then swallow.
After silently savoring the taste, he put down his fork.
"How is it? You miss it, don't you?"
Tian Tong, carrying freshly brewed tea, quietly appeared behind the food editor, gracefully approached the table, and handed the cup to Guskaf.
However, Guskaf did not accept the tea; he shook his head.
"Your set meal was delicious; the bread and mushroom soup reminded me of my childhood. But, however, this potato and pork stew is not right."
The food critic seemed to raise his voice slightly due to his wavering emotions, just like he had done at the train station two weeks ago. "I'm sorry, the potato and pork stew you found isn't made by my mother, but by that woman, my stepmother. I'm sorry, but what I wanted you to find was the food left by my biological mother before I was six years old, the taste of my mother. It seems you've made a mistake somewhere; this isn't the dish I wanted."
He took a deep breath, his tone regaining some composure: "Of course, I'll continue to pay the detective's fees as usual, and I'll find a way to arrange the interview with *Outlook Weekly* myself. That's all for today, excuse me—"
As if unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, Guskaf suddenly stood up, casting a huge shadow on the restaurant floor.