//------------------------------// // Gourmet // Story: Taking Nature Inland // by DynamicEquilibrium115 //------------------------------// The stove smoked and whistled. Searing flames from piles of wood surged underneath. The piping hot yet clearly cooked smell of marinated meat rose up and around. Rich and savory aromas cascaded across the old restaurant inside and out. It was almost completely empty. One lone Earth pony was perched on a bar stool leaning over a glass of finely aged sweet Calvados, a bowl of fresh roasted almonds resting alongside him. He was patient but the hanging miasma of overwhelming scents coming from behind the bar pushed his limits. At any second he would gladly eat every single solitary morsel the structure had to offer but he knew better, the longer he waited the more it would be appreciated. Especially if it was actually cooked. Opposite the pristine lacquered oak bar top, a unicorn chef was inspecting the wood burning stove and flipping the meat to ensure a well cooked meal. Simultaneously she reached out to a boiling pot of water and soup stock, countless ingredients stirred within, on top of a regular gas stove top with her magic and turned the heat down to let the soup simmer. The deeply condensed richly flavored steam plumed upwards and across the cooking area to gently greet the solitary customer’s face, the vapour caressed his skin and found a passage up his nostrils. It was soon after the customer discovered the endless flow of saliva dripping from the corners of his mouth. The Earth pony lifted his glass to his mouth and let the pure luscious liquid slide down his throat. He popped a few roasted almonds in his gaping gob chewing slowly, the crunchy crispy outside with just the right amount of seasoning and salt closely followed by a soft but firm inside. The chef noticed the absence of food and drink at his side and replenished it with a trio of soft baked salted pretzels, a freshly baked baguette and slightly warmed bottle of Rainbow fruit cider. The Earth pony bit off a loop of pretzel and allowed the sweet flaky layers of confectionary to break apart on his tongue. He then tore open the baguette smearing the inside of it with a nearby butter packet and watched it melt and flow into the soft dough. Seizing the cider, the Earth pony poured his glass full and immediately threw the contents down his gullet. A powerful alcoholic kick slammed into his taste buds but was smoothed over by an unequaled sensation of alternating flavours. First, fully ripened mangos, hundreds of them concentrated together in their sweetness. Then a sourness incomparable to lemon or kiwi fruits disappearing to accommodate the fragrance of smoked and roasted chestnuts. The taste would be expected to depart after that but once more even as it passed down his throat it still possessed an unbelievable existence. The taste travelled all over his body to complete one specific objective which it achieved in spectacular fashion. His eyes watered at the intense deliciousness. It was not long before the baguette and pretzels were finished off, not a crumb left in their place. The Earth pony wiped his muzzle and licked his chops, a satisfied snort escaping his nose. But the true meal was yet to start and since his arrival, the pony customer had thoughts and eyes fixated on the main course. The chef’s masterful food work was nothing to sneeze at, she retrieved the two steaks from the stove, wafting the smell over to her only customer, and prepared the pot of steaming soup. He stared intently as the chef graced the meat with sweetly sautéed onions and boiled baby carrots fished out of the soup pot. A bowl was filled with the soup, another with steamed rice cooking out of view behind the gargantuan soup pot. Both main dishes lay in front of the Earth pony. Barely able to hold back urges to devour it all in one fell swoop he leaned over and took a delicate short sniff. Hundreds, thousands, uncountable ingredients leaped into his head. The image of perfect soup stock cooked together with the best possible ingredients for years was the only appropriate explanation. The chef watched with slight amusement and beckoned for him to eat. Not requiring further encouragement he engaged the meat first. He had thought it to be regular beef but an infinitely more rich flavour corrected him, this was a prime cut piece of Golden Dragon grilled and seasoned to perfection, the onion and carrots providing an excellent aftertaste as the lean fat of the meat praised his taste buds. Hastily finishing up he turned to the soup. Uttering a quick prayer of thanks and nearly submerging his nose into it, the Earth pony admired the clear but full dish and took a sip. Utter bliss rained upon him, each specially selected ingredient merged together and parted in his mouth giving him an unforgettable taste of innumerable vegetables and meats and a rich stock all combined in a flurry of flavour. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “Haa, so good.” “So then, what do you think?” The chef asked. “My special soup?” “Yeah,” he replied, “even though lots of different ingredients are packed into the stock, the non-persisting feeling of it going down the throat is refreshing.” The chef smiled brightly. “Glad to hear it, but I’m rather curious why out of all the gourmet seven star restaurants here in Canterlot, you would grace my tiny establishment in the first place.” He returned the smile and breathed out heavily, “sometimes it’s good to get off the main drag, frequent some lesser joints, diversify.” “Indeed, it’s the few customers like you that keep me running and let me keep doing what I love to do.” “Yes, and on that topic I have one more request if you are willing.” “Anything you ask… Well almost anything actually.” The Earth pony held up his now empty bowl and grinned, “seconds?”