As my Da always says, "the first bite is with the eye" - having said that, the quote did often fall on cynical ears, appearing mid-way through a decimated plate of boiled ribs, cabbage and spuds. But as true an axiom this appears to be, one thing it doesn't take into consideration is the subconscious effect of a menu; not just its presentation, but its content. A perfect example of this is The House Bar in Stranmillis. The little slip of a menu, presented on a small black clipboard, is concise and simple while its prices will raise an eyebrow or maybe even two. Almost everything is sub £5, with paninis yet cheaper again. I suppose it tells you a lot about a person if this would make them either happy or suspicious. I went for the Lasagne, while my lunch partner opted for a steak and cheese panini, just to spread our bets. Surprisingly, while providing that aforementioned insight into my psyche, a bewitching bubbling bowl of lasagne (no, I haven't got that wrong) was presented on a plate filled with gently dressed salad, slabs of garlic bread, French fries, and that most ubiquitous of sides, coleslaw. I have to say, the gelatinous golden blanket of cheese suitably dazzled my eye as the internal heat furrowed small openings, escaping in steamy plumes about the lasagne's surface. But despite the razzamatazz, I couldn't escape a suspicion that for the price, this would be all fur coat and no knickers. Diving in however, I discovered this was a meaty marvel, nicely prepared and seasoned beef huddled under its protective pasta tarpaulin. It's difficult to do with a panini that which has not been done before, and despite resisting that rare fate of being bowled, my lunch partners steak and cheese filled dish earned the accolade "sweet". It seemed a worthy tribute, at least from my sensory-limited vista. Maybe I've been wrong in the past. As much as I trust my Fathers wise words, the eye can only be employed once the food arrives, which is too late in the game. So I've spent my life ordering from the heart. Maybe in future I can listen to my wallet.
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Incoming Incoming….Prepare For Evacuation!
