"Your food is served." Dylan uttered as he placed down the sizzling hot meals on Jake and company's table.
The moment the wooden trenchers touched down, all conversation at the craftsmen's table ground to a halt.
"WHOA!"
"These looks so appetizing!"
"I'm excited to dig in!"
The steam rising from the Hunter's Harvest set carried a dense, intoxicating perfume of seared venison, charred woodsmoke, and sweet garden herbs that set every stomach at the table growling in unison.
"Down the hatch!" Jake grinned, grabbing a pair of wooden tongs and dumping a generous heap of Korean Sesame Venison Loin and Crispy Pork Belly onto his plate before passing the trencher down.
Harry took the first bite of the pork belly.
*CRUNCH!*
The crisp crackle of the golden-roasted skin echoed sharp and clear across the nearby tables. Harry's eyes went wide.
"Mmmmhhhh!" His shoulders dropped instantly as he chewed, a look of pure, unadulterated bliss spreading over his rugged face. The richness of the rendered fat melted into the tart, sweet wild-apple reduction, punctuated by the woodsy punch of garden thyme.
"Good heavens... This is so good!" Harry gasped, slamming a heavy fist against the timber table, narrowly missing his ale. He stood up as his muscle bulged, Innate Energy rippling through it and ripped his shirt from the sheer force of the muscles contracting!
*Pop*
He looked back and gave Dylan a thumbs up before resuming gorging on the succulent meat of his food, "The food is amazing as always, Sir Dylan!"
*Pop*
One of the craftsmen that had accompanied, stood up as he tasted the main dish. He also flexed which ripped apart his shirt, "Jake... you weren't exaggerating! This isn't just food, this is absolute magic!"
"Told you!" Jake laughed, already shoving a Yakitori quail skewer into his mouth.
*Pop*
The wild honey and soy glaze had caramelized into a sticky, savory shell over the open hardwood coals, yielding to ridiculously tender, juicy meat. Jake complimented as his entire top was blown off, "The kid's a wizard!"
Jeffrey tore off a piece of the warm sourdough crostini, piled high with butter-sautéed forest mushrooms, and shoved it in his mouth. He let out a low groan, leaning back against his chair with his eyes closed. "The depth of this flavor... it's like tasting the entire forest at once."
*Pop*
Of course, his shirt was also ripped due to rippling Innate Energy and his large muscles!
It wasn't long before there were six topless muscular men who enjoyed their food.
"We should order second helping!"
"I will order two more servings!"
"Hahaha, exactly, we should!"
Within seconds, the six craftsmen descended upon the massive trencher like starved wolves, utensils clattering in a joyful, chaotic feeding frenzy that drew envious glares from the waiting crowd.
"They look like they are really enjoying their food..." an elderly lady commented.
"Is the food really that good? My mouth is watering already." The youth that lined up for the hype, wiped the drool coming out of his mouth.
"I can't wait for my order..." That was the common sentiment of all that was waiting for their food to be served.
"At least, we can continue watching the little redhead."
Thankfully, there was the cute maid, Scarlet who served them their drinks and appetizers, soothing their impatience and their grumbling stomachs.
The next table that Dylan visited with their food was Jillian. He said while placing the wooden trays on her table, "Your food is served, madam."
A few tables over, Jillian sat quietly, her eyes fixed on her plate.
The Wild Boar Meatball Marinara looked like a work of art. The plump, pan-seared meatballs glistened under a coat of vibrant, sun-ripened tomato sauce, nestled atop a bed of steaming, golden, al dente spaghetti. Freshly snipped garden basil leaves topped the dish, their bright green color popping against the rich red marinara.
"It smells so delicious..." Taking her wooden fork, Jillian twirled a neat bundle of pasta, catching a piece of a seared wild boar meatball, and brought it to her lips.
The instant the food hit her tongue, her breath caught. "T-this..."
She continued eating intently. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection, firm to the bite yet tender. The marinara sauce burst with a bright, natural sweetness that wasn't heavy or cloying at all; the sun-ripened tomatoes and wood-roasted garlic created a crisp, zesty base that cut right through her morning fatigue.
"How flavorful!"
Then came the meatball. The wild boar was coarse, juicy, and deeply savory, seasoned with just enough garden sage and black pepper to balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
"Ah..." Jillian closed her eyes, letting out a soft, involuntary sigh of pure contentment.
It was completely unlike the salty, boiled meat stews she usually bought near the market square. It felt vibrant, nourishing, and remarkably light on her stomach. It was exactly as Dylan had promised.
She quickly took a sip of her Botanical Elixir. The iced mint and lavender sparkler washed over her palate with a cool, fizzy crunch, cleansing her palate and leaving a lingering fragrance of fresh lavender and citrus.
"He wasn't lying at all..." Jillian whispered to herself, a small, radiant smile breaking across her face as she immediately dove in for a second bite. "It really is a vast ocean of flavors."
Observing her ecstatic reaction alongside the uproar at Jake's table, the remaining hesitant guests in the courtyard couldn't hold back any longer.
"I think we should order their orders too..."
"I'll order the Hunter's Harvest Set!"
"One Wild Boar Meatball Marinara, please!"
The air filled with a sudden flurry of rustling paper slips and raised hands, everyone clamoring to place their orders!
...
Eventually, Dylan was able to serve all the customers that have entered without fail.
"Your food is served."
The cultured food connoisseur delicately adjusted his napkin, staring intently at the sizzling plate Dylan had just set before him. He picked up his fork and knife with immaculate posture, bringing a carefully portioned bite to his lips.
"?!" The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his refined composure shattered. His eyes widened, and a sharp gasp escaped his throat.
"Magnificent... truly divine!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with genuine awe. "The depth, the balance, the seamless harmony of the spices... It is an absolute masterpiece! It truly lives up to your slogan 'a vast ocean of flavors'; very aptly put!"
*Pop*
Suddenly, his innate energy surged uncontrollably from the sheer vitality of the meal. The seams of his tailored, cultured robe burst along his arms, tearing his sleeves off at the shoulders and exposing a surprisingly chiseled upper body!
He stood frozen for a moment, fork still in hand, staring down at his ripped sleeves before bursting into a hearty, unrefined laugh. "Ah, forgive my lack of decorum, Sir Dylan, but your culinary craft is nothing short of miraculous! Compliments to the chef to the highest degree!"
"Oh, I don't deserve such kind words, sir. I simply try my hardest to serve those who put their faith in me and sat down to try my food." Dylan bowed slightly with warm smile.
Beside him, the younger fellow had already abandoned all grace, shoveling a massive portion straight into his mouth. The instant he swallowed, his face flushed red with pure euphoria.
"OH MAN! THIS IS INSANE!" he yelled, tears of joy practically welling in his eyes.
*Pop*
In an instant, his shirt ripped right down the chest from a sudden burst of flexing, rippling Innate energy! "No wonder those six brothers ripped apart their shirts. It was just that good!"
"Hm?" Dylan noticed that this seemingly innocent and joyous young man had numerous scars with ugly stiches all over his body, 'Those scars... this kid seems to be a frequent fighter? Hm, but those scars looks too crooked and ugly, troublemaker, if not a gangster?
Drumming his chest with one hand while grabbing another huge forkful with the other, he grinned wildly at Dylan. "I don't know what kind of magic you put in this, boss, but I'll be a faithful patron and keep coming back! Best decision of my life!"
"Thank you very much for the compliments, sir." Dylan was maintaining a calm smile but in his head, he thought otherwise.
'Cultivators eat rather weird. Their clothes pop just from the sheer enjoyment of food. I can understand that's mainly due to them having Innate Energy.' He could not help but remember one particular anime about food and cooking, 'At least, it seems that Food Warz was not lying when their judges undress just from eating delicious food.'
Dylan paid no reel heed to their antics as long as long as he was receiving payment!
...
Meanwhile, in the Cosmic God Mansion...
"Hahaha, these people are funny." Dylan Vastocean who was in the middle of reviewing his training, had just witnessed everything unfold, could not help but laugh.
"I guess Sir Ford is just that good!" Vastocean nodded since knew how delicious Ford's food was.
*Rumble* *Rumble* *Rumble*
Suddenly, the Cosmic God Mansion was shaking once again!
"Sir Ford, it seems like you were right! There is a connection between the business and the Cosmic God Mansion! But I wonder what triggered this reaction?" Vastocean was afraid yet expectant at the same time.
What wonders could the Cosmic God Mansion provide them next? A part of Cosmic God Manual? Weapons? Cultivation Resources?
Regardless of what treasure it may produce, Vastocean was certain that it would be of tremendous help to them.
"Sir Ford would certainly be thrilled by this revelation!" His eyes looking expectantly at the mansion.
...
The entire day passed by like a whirlwind. Dozens of sizzling plates, clanking wooden trenchers, and the occasional sound of fabric giving way under the sheer power of Dylan's cooking.
Scarlet was keeping the crowd's smiles on their faces as she helped around, while Dylan handled both waiting on the customers and the kitchen with calm, flawless precision.
Victoria also came by and ordered. She even paid a hundredfold of what was listed in the menu because of how good the meal was. "No wonder the customers are enjoying the meals so much. You two are doing such an amazing job!"
By the time the stars began to twinkle in the night sky over Cirrus Cloud, the last of the thoroughly stuffed, shirtless, and deeply satisfied patrons had staggered out of the courtyard, clutching their happy stomachs and singing praises to the sky.
People were so satisfied with their meals that they all left tips to Dylan. They wanted to encourage him to keep doing business as they wanted this to visit again, "I'll make sure to visit again! The food is great here!"
Scarlet wiped down the final wooden trencher and let out a long, exhausted, yet immensely happy sigh. "We did it, Big Bro! Every single plate is clean!"
"Great work today, Scarlet. You have worked hard!" Dylan smiled, turning the sign on the front entrance to 'Closed' and gazing out over the now quiet, moonlit courtyard.
The day was finally over. The two siblings have finished cleaning and organizing the restaurant.
"I can't wait for what happens tomorrow." Dylan was also very expectant.
Judging by the reception of the customers in the opening day, the name: Garden Ford Restaurant and Vast Ocean Courtyard were bound to be the talk of the town.