il Giardino Romantico

上個星期，跟朋友說好星期天要來大家強力推薦的Egg Café吃英式早餐。因為是我提議的。原本要在星期天之前找到這間餐廳。可是萬萬想不到他竟然這麼隱密。還好利用Google找到了這間的位置。當天早上跟兩位住同棟的flatmate出發還是順利的找到了。

Last week, I suggested that we come to Egg Café for breakfast, as it was highly recommended by the locals.  Since I was the one who recommended it, I figured I should figure out where it was located.  However, I had no idea how hidden it was.  Fortunately, I found its location using Google Map, and found it with little difficulty on the day.

典型的英式pub。Scene from a typical English pub.

The food here comes in different types.  There is quality 'restaurant food'.  There is the quid-saver 'take-aways'.  Then, there is the very English 'pub food'. 

Before you start preaching to me about how unhealthy it is to eat pre-cooked meals, I need you to understand a few points.  First of all, I have a small appetite.  Even if I can afford to eat out every night, it would still be a total waste of money because I probably won't be able to finish the whole meal.  Second of all, I don't have a lot of quids to throw around, so I must try and make my own meals on a daily basis and save my money for special occasions.  Thirdly, the vegetables here are so different from Asian vegetables, it will take me a really long time to try and figure out what I can do with them.  Finally, pre-cooked foods are actually GOOD, meaning delicious, here.  I'm sure you'll see what I mean once you see the pictures.

你可以不用告訴我：『微波食物很不健康』。因為我知道。只是你要了解：
一、我的胃口並不大。即使我有很多££，出去吃也不一定能把盤子上的菜吃完。浪費呀！
二、我沒有很多££。所以平時一定要靠自己想辦法。等到大夥人馬想去餐廳用餐時，我才不會覺得自己負擔不起。
三、這裡的蔬菜跟亞洲的蔬菜差很多。還是要一段時間之後才能想出到底能拿他們做什麼。

Is 'Best Kebab' really the 'Best Kebab' in town?  Well, seeing that I've only had one kebab since I got here, it would be unfair to claim that it is, indeed, the best kebab there is in Liverpool.  But undoubtedly, it is pretty good.  Its name certainly lives up to its reputation!  Below is a picture of my veggie kebab.  Fresh veggies, fried mushrooms, what more can I ask for in a kebab? It's absolutely delicious.  In addition to that, it is just the right portion for someone with a small tummy, like me.  I could finish the whole thing. 

店名叫做『Best Kebab』。不過真的是城裡最棒的kebab嗎？我只吃過這間的kebab，所以如果現在就稱他為城裡最贊的，好像對其他賣kebab的不太公平。但不可否認的是，他真的很好吃。份量剛剛好。胃口本來就不大的我，剛剛好可以把他啃完。新鮮的蔬菜配上熱炒菇菇。那菇菇真是鮮嫩多汁。搭配冷冰冰的蔬菜，溫度剛剛好適合馬上一口接著一口吃。

After our kebabs, we went to a pub on campus and had a pint each.  The after taste of the kebab goes hand in hand with beer.  Although I don't expect myself to dine out much, due to the rediculously expensive prices here, I will definitely return to 'Best Kebab' for another veggie kebab.  I will also try out other kebabs, just to see if their kebab is, truly, the best kebab.

I noticed the sign upon my first roaming about city center.  Though, I kept telling myself that I would not touch Chinese food unless I absolutely have to.  Yet, on this day, I saw two Chinese people walking out of it, and so I was tempted into taking a look at their menu.  They have a lot of vegetarian dishes.   Then I saw 'Egg Fried Rice' for only £1.80.  I decided that if the dish was good, then not only could I recommend this place to my friends, but also come and get a taste of home once in a while. 

So, after I went down to Tesco Metro and got my groceries for the next couple of days, I went back to it and ordered myself a serving of 'egg fried rice'.  The restaurant definitely had a very 'Chinese' atmosphere to it.  As I wasn't sure if they spoke Mandarin, I ordered the dish in English.  I heard the chef shout out in Mandarin: 炒飯！, but still feeling a bit awkward, I thanked the waitress in English when she gave me my fried rice. 

Mind you, this is still the first day of our welcome event!  All international students were invited to a free dinner at the Adelphi Hotel, which is only about a 10min walk from where I live.  It was a nice opportunity to dine in a HOTEL, and socialize with new friends.

As we were walking towards the hotel, I was surrounded by people from the Mainland.  You know, folks, I spend five years working my arse off, and flying over so many countries, I wasn't going to spend the whole time here speaking Mandarin.  No offence to nice folks from across the strait here, but I hope you understand what I mean.

I couldn't get away from them walking faster than they were, so I decided to slow down.  And just as I slowed down my paces, who did I happen to see but my buddy from the same coach ride the day before - Mamo from Japan, with his new American friend, Sam.  I was overjoyed to see them, so I stuck myself to them...

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the meals that you'll always remember, as the meals that made me forget TAIWAN!!! (oops....)