The next morning....
The sun broke over Cirrus Cloud Town, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling market square.
"I think that's enough for the morning. Time for my lunch break. "Jillian wiped a thin sheen of sweat from her forehead as she adjusted the wooden display stands outside her shop.
As a saleslady, her morning had been a relentless whirlwind of haggling and inventory checks. With the sun closely moving to its peak, the town bells chimed for noon, her stomach let out an audible rumble.
"Hm, what should I eat today?" She wondered.
Suddenly, her mind flashed back to yesterday's chaos:
"BIG NEWS: A NEW RESTAURANT IS ABOUT TO OPEN. COME TO THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE TOWN TO THE RUMORED FOX SPIRIT MANOR. THE GARDEN FORD: A VAST OCEAN OF FLAVORS IS ABOUT TO OPEN!"
A crazy youth sprinting through the alleyways, shouting at the top of his lungs about a "vast ocean of flavors" at the old Fox Spirit Manor before dodging past sweating guards.
She had been thoroughly annoyed by the racket at the time. Understandably so, other saleslady and store owners were complaining about the ruckus yet they were seemingly entertained by the sudden and erratic spectacle, unusual to the norm of the day
"I guess it would not hurt to try something new." But now, nursing an appetite and wanting something new for lunch, curiosity got the better of her.
'Might as well see if that eccentric boy was talking nonsense or not,' Jillian thought, wiping her hands on her apron and taking the path toward the eastern edge of town.
When she arrived, her jaw nearly dropped.
"There's a long line? It seems that crazed behavior in promoting his business attracted others like me?" Expecting an empty line to the restaurant, she instead found a vibrant crowd gathered along a pristine stone pathway, lining up expectantly outside a grand wooden archway.
There was a line of fifty to sixty people already in front of the closed entrance, patiently waiting for it to open.
Jillian's attention then drifted above the main archway and the courtyard entrance, crisp, hand-carved wooden signages hung proudly, their dark wood polished to a soft sheen:
[GARDEN FORD TAVERN]
[VAST OCEAN COURTYARD]
Intrigued, Jillian joined the end of the line and tapped the shoulder of the well-dressed man in front of her. "Excuse me, sir... are all of you really waiting for this new tavern?"
"Ah, absolutely!" the businessman replied, adjusting his silk robes. "I was falling in line outside of the Norther Gate of Soaring Cloud City yesterday when I witnessed the injustice that befell young Dylan. The brave youth stood up to the tyranny of the two Gate Guard's unjustified accusations and defended us visiting merchants. A young man with that kind of honor and backbone deserves my business. I promised him I'd be here for the opening!"
"Is that so?" Jilian murmured.
"You bet it is!" a burly man behind her interjected, wearing the leather apron of Bob's Builders. "My brothers and I renovated this place! Sir Dylan treated us like family, and his cooking? Heavens, the free lunch he served us during construction was better than anything in the city. We wouldn't miss this!"
This was Harry, one of the three craftsmen that helped around the Garden Ford Tavern. Beside him were Jake and Jeffrey who also promised Dylan to be here in the opening day. There were also with other craftsmen that also came by to try and test Dylan's cooking.
"Is it really that good?" One of the craftsman asked Jake.
"Oh, brother, the flavors were heavenly. It's like different flavors coalescing into a miracle." Jake replied as he reminisced the taste.
"Hahaha, I will hold you to your words then!" The others were now even more curious as to what the food will taste like.
Further up the line, an older man with a cultured demeanor chimed in with a chuckle, "I'm a food connoisseur of Cirrus Cloud. I heard rumors of a vast ocean of flavors being advertised here. I wanted to see for myself whether it was simply an advertising scam or not. Thus, I felt the need that I had to sample it myself."
Beside him, a younger fellow scratched his head and laughed sheepishly, "Honestly? I was just walking by. But then, I saw this massive crowd and got curious about all the buzz. So I decided, what the heck, let's line up so I wouldn't miss out on the hype!"
Before Jillian could process the sheer variety of people drawn to the place, the heavy oak doors at the courtyard entrance swung open.
"Welcome, everyone! Garden Ford Tavern is officially open!" a clear, confident voice echoed.
As the crowd filed through the archway, a collective gasp swept through the guests. Jilian found herself frozen in wonder and awe.
*Gasp*
The layout was breathtaking!
Secluded dining nooks enclosed by natural wooden trellises wrapped in lush wild ivy, with sunlight filtering through emerald vines overhead.
As they stepped onto the walkway, an intoxicating aroma wafted through the air. A rich, mouthwatering blend of roasted herbs, sizzling meats, and fresh, aromatic spices that instantly made everyone's mouth water.
"This... this isn't a tavern, it's a paradise," the businessman breathed, looking up at the majestic wooden pergolas.
"Look at the timber work! The polish on these trestle tables is incredible!" the craftsman boasted proudly.
"The air itself smells delicious..." the food connoisseur whispered, inhaling deeply.
Jilian and several others took their seats at one of the long, hand-carved trestle tables. In some of the table she observed, there were already wooden plates with a reservation tag.
"The theme of this place feels so sophisticated." She ran her fingers over the smooth, rich grain of the wood, admiring the rustic charm of the polished bowls and wooden trenchers arranged before her.
The house also perfectly reflected and complimented the rustic and natural look of the Vast Ocean Courtyard, further amplifying the immersion of the theme and setting of Garden Ford Tavern.
Moments after they settled in, a sharp and muscular young man stepped forward with a polite smile, bowing gently to the table. The onlookers were attracted by his striking eyes which differ in color. One, deep blue in color and the other was crimson orange.
Dylan greeted everyone warmly with a well, modulated voice, "Good afternoon, esteemed guests. Welcome to Garden Ford Tavern. I hope the journey here was pleasant."
Jilian recognized him immediately, "That's him!"
It was the very same youth who had been yelling in the market yesterday, though today he looked composed, sharp, and remarkably dignified.
"He looks different." She murmured.
Before anyone could ask for a menu, Dylan approached a table beside him and grabbed a beautifully bound item in the center of the table. It consisted of a few pages of crisp paper neatly pinned between a sturdy, wooden hardcover, bearing hand-written text that detailed the name of the dish, a brief description and their pricing.
"Please, take a moment to look over our offerings for today, A menu has been specifically placed in the middle of your tables so you can take your time and order." Dylan said warmly as he lifted and presented the said menu.
Jillian took a look at the very elaborate menu:
The Garden Ford Tavern - "A Vast Ocean of Flavors"
Outdoor Dining at The Vastocean Grove
Appetizers:
Spiced Wild Game Terrine: 5 Copper Coins
Pressed venison and wild boar seasoned with crushed juniper berries and green peppercorns, served with pickled garden radishes and toasted sourdough.
Greek Roasted Garlic & Feta Spread: 5 Copper Coins
Whole garlic bulbs roasted in wood embers, mashed with olive oil and tangy feta, topped with garden oregano and served with warm flatbread.
Smoked Forest Mushroom Crostini: 6 Copper Coins
Wild forest mushrooms sautéed in butter, garlic, and freshly snipped thyme, piled high on crisp crostini with a drizzle of honey.
...
Small Plates & Guild Skewers
Yakitori Quail & Pheasant Skewers: 5 Copper Coins
Tender cuts of quail and forest pheasant glazed with wild honey and soy, seared over open hardwood coals, finished with garden-snipped scallions.
Moroccan Lamb Merguez & Flatbread: 5 Copper Coins
Spiced lamb sausages infused with harissa, cumin, and paprika, served over wood-fired flatbreads with fresh garden mint and coriander.
Crispy Wild Boar & Thyme Pork Belly: 6 Copper Coins
Slow-roasted forest boar belly with golden crackling skin, served alongside a tart wild apple and fresh garden-thyme reduction.
...
Garden Sweet-Treats & Refreshments
Wood-Fired Honey-Glazed Fig Tart: 5 Copper Coins
Baked in our stone oven with fresh lavender cream, crushed walnuts, and wild honey gathered from the nearby forest.
Vastocean Herbal Infused Ale / Botanical Elixir: 5 Copper Coins
House-brewed amber ale infused with garden rosemary & citrus, or non-alcoholic iced mint & lavender sparkler.
...
Main Dishes: "A Vast Ocean of Flavors"
Meat Dishes
Persian Saffron & Citrus Roast Chicken: 8 Copper Coins
Whole spit-roasted farm chicken marinated in labneh, saffron, and crushed citrus, generously dressed with garden-grown tarragon and sumac.
Korean Sesame Venison Loin: 8 Copper Coins
Thinly sliced forest venison marinated in ginger, sesame, and soy, flame-seared and wrapped in crisp, garden-fresh lettuce leaves with fresh garlic.
Jamaican Jerk Spiced Duck Breast: 9 Copper Coins
Pan-seared duck breast rubbed with allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers, rested over timber smoke with fresh pineapple-mint salsa.
French Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb: 10 Copper Coins
Roasted rack of lamb coated in a crust of sourdough crumbs, garden rosemary, and Dijon mustard, served with charred root vegetables.
Argentine Asado Beef Tomahawk: 10 Copper Coins
Thick bone-in ribeye charred over oak logs, finished tableside with a bright Chimichurri made from garden-fresh parsley, oregano, and red wine vinegar.
...
Pasta
Italian Wild Boar Ragù Pappardelle: 7 Copper Coins
Wide ribbon pasta tossed in a rich, slow-simmered wild boar ragù, infused with wood-roasted garlic, red wine, and freshly picked garden sage.
Szechuan Spiced Duck Dan Dan Noodles: 7 Copper Coins
Hand-pulled noodles tossed in a spicy, savory sesame-chili sauce, topped with seared duck breast morsels, toasted peanuts, and garden-snipped scallions.
Italian Venison Bolognese Spaghetti: 6 Copper Coins
Al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich, slow-simmered forest venison meat sauce, infused with wood-roasted garlic and garden oregano.
Wild Boar Meatball Marinara: 7 Copper Coins
Thick spaghetti topped with seared wild boar meatballs, smothered in a sweet sun-ripened tomato marinara and dressed with fresh garden basil.
Smoked Duck Carbonara: 7 Copper Coins
Spaghetti coated in a silky sauce of farm eggs, aged cheese, and cracked black pepper, tossed with crispy cured duck breast pieces.
...
THE GRAND FEAST
The Vastocean Harvest Board, 30 Copper Coins
Served on a massive hand-carved wooden trencher. Features a combination of roasted venison loin, Argentine beef cuts, smoked pork belly, and grilled lamb chops, served alongside bowls of garden-herb chimichurri, garlic butter and fresh seasonal greens.
The Hunter's Harvest Set: 28 Copper Coins
Appetizer: Smoked Forest Mushroom Crostini
Main: Korean Sesame Venison Loin
Dessert/Drink: Wood-Fired Honey-Glazed Fig Tart & Fresh Mint Elixir
The Coastal & Garden Guild Feast: 29 Copper Coins
Appetizer: Greek Roasted Garlic & Feta Spread
Main: French Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Dessert/Drink: Vastocean Herbal Infused Ale & Fig Tart
The Grand Sovereign Course: 30 Copper Coins
Appetizer: Spiced Wild Game Terrine
Main: Argentine Asado Beef Tomahawk
Dessert/Drink: Full Botanical Elixir & Honey Glazed Tart
...
The prices were to be expected it was somewhere around the industry standard. The customers were utterly confused and skeptical as most of these dishes were cuisine they have never encountered in their life.
"These dishes I have never heard of in my entire life?"
"Did he just concoct these so called dishes to sound more sophisticated?"
"What is a Yakitori? or a Morrocan? French? I'm not even sure if I'm saying these right?"
These are understandable reactions from the guests. How could they know something that is not of their world?
All of them are inspired by dishes from all over Earth, after all. These are all dishes that Dylan initially came up with based on the ingredients they have gathered. He picked dishes that could be easily translated to what they currently have.
"I am sure that you are all wondering what these words mean. As much as I would like to expound on their origins, I think the mystery is part of the intrigue and the excitement of you choosing a meal that is unheard of. One thing I can assure you is that any of these meals are of high-quality!" Dylan mysteriously said.
"So, he's being mysterious with the origin's of the dishes?"
"While they are unknown, I doubt that he would downright poison us. Hahaha. Otherwise, his business will cease to operate before it even begun."
"Hm, I concur, this does make things more interesting. "
"However, what should we pick?"
His words echoed throughout the courtyard. His confidence seemingly swayed the public's thoughts in a more neutral direction but none still had the gall to order.
"Hahaha, I have been one of the first to try his cooking. You all should definitely should try it." Harry encouraged to everyone.
"My taste buds were jumping in joy as soon as I had the first bite!" Jeffrey also joined in promoting Dylan's cooking
"Come on brothers, order some!" Jake encouraged their three more brothers who accompanied them.
Their colleagues were also still skeptical but they were very much curious about the taste of these dishes.
"No matter, I will just order for everyone then." Jake raised his hand and said, "I'm ready to order, Sir Dylan!"