Contrast and compare
The cooking for campers recipe book has had little use so far this summer. Maybe it’s because we’re lacking in willpower (likely) or maybe we have an altruistic goal – to keep the restaurant industry “in the black” during our short time in the area. I am eating more fish than usual, so that my intake of some marvellous vitamin compound will be up to the “recommended daily intake levels”. In a small geographic area, the variety suffers, and we’re approaching the fatidic date where a return visit to certain establishments will be necessary.
Yesterday, it rained, and we ate at the Bluefin in Souris. Today, it was sunny, and we ate at the Red Stone in North Lake. Shall we take a few minutes to compare, for those who need recommendations on where to eat in the area. All weather aside, there are differences.
The Bluefin has been around for a very long time. This year, the tables have been rearranged and some potted palm trees added for ambience. Even a little bit helps. Although the food is always consistent and tasty, the dining room leaves me with (only) memories of my babies admiring lobsters in the holding tank. The repeated efforts by the waitress to excuse the delays in delivery left us worried. How delayed might this all be? Sometimes, the details aren’t needed by the clients. Leave us believing that this is normal. We were asked if we had reservations. Yes, some.
The Red Stone is a dining room that glows with atmosphere. Rich wood finish, glass tables, a view of the ocean and all the new whirly-gig windmills in their glory. The staff goes out of their way to check that all is well; even if the orders weren’t exactly as requested. Who can tell? Maybe breaded scallops don’t have breading. Maybe mussels are all out, in the lake. We did eat lots of squid as an entree, and happily I had cash, because the card machine was kaput.
In passing, when was the last time you saw a restaurant advise the client to just go home and drop off the cash the next time they were around? First time for me, and that includes eating at home. They were locals. I know this because I saw them earlier today in church and when the visitors were asked to raise their hands, they didn’t. Trust goes hand in hand with religious values.
So, either restaurant offers reasonable food for a reasonable price. One has the lock on alternate payment plans. One has the ambience of a bus depot. Friendly waitresses at both. I guess it will depend on how close you are to the door when the hungries hit.
