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Palate PLEASURES t
LOU PERRI
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET
S
E AT I N G O U T
pring is officially here, not that as this is written there is the remotest sense of it in the air, with a freezing, extremely wintery southerly blasting through our
area. But soon enough, as with everything else, this too shall pass and we will bask in the warm sun and then, eventually, grapple with the pointy and sweaty end of summer as we always do. And if we are lucky there will be a bit of time here and there to bask in the delicious sunshine and bathe in the cool waters of our magnificent stretch of the Pacific Ocean. Until then however, we will just do our best to batten down the hatches and wait, as we have seemed to do so often over the last couple of years. Meanwhile we can still most certainly enjoy the little things every day that bring a sense of joy and a sense of freedom. For many of us after having been cooped up at home so much lately, there’s very much a sense of cabin fever and life’s pleasures very likely take on the form of all things involved with activities outside the home. For some perhaps the lockdown escapades du jour such as walks on the beach, bike rides with family members, combined with walking the dog until he hides next time you call him, so overwalked is he – are getting, hate to say it, somewhat old and whilst we still retain
our somewhat tenuous the great outdoors in the For many of us grasp on freedom out of form of a picnic. after having lockdown here in Port been cooped up at In true urban Macquarie (definitely home so much lately, sophistication, it appears touching wood here), there’s very much a that picnics are becoming our priorities may lie in sense of cabin fever as elaborate as possible escaping that one room and life’s pleasures and as it turns out in the house we are even very likely take on would be right at home more sick of than any of the form of all things within the four walls of the others – the dreaded involved with a respectable fine dining kitchen. activities outside the restaurant. Now there’s a chance home. In fact, a multitude to escape, the world of of fine hospitality ‘eating out’ has begun establishments have jumped on this enforced to open up again. Tentatively, restaurants and method of allowing a small return to cafés are welcoming seated diners again. At socialisation, with all manner of incredibly first, like shy teenagers on a first date, then gourmet picnic packs for your regular park with the confidence born of it being just like sojourn. riding a bike. We never forget how to interact Culinary bliss, finest of wines and signature with each other, the subtleties of face-to-face cocktails shaken in jars and poured over ice are communication (albeit with mask) come back so very Spring 2021 and it isn’t a bad thing at surprisingly quickly. Like dogs, we are superbly all. social creatures, so meeting friends and Eating out in all its forms is to be celebrated family, sharing a meal, chatting, drinking, and – whether it just happened to be ‘eating laughing just slot into where they left off after outside’, or whether you are in the very a moment or two, if that, of breaking the ice. As the weather improves even more, it might fortunate position of being able to actually sit at a table at your fave café or restaurant, be prudent to seize the day wherever we can it is always a bonus to escape from your very and enjoy ‘eating out’. Certainly our friends in own kitchen. As we all know, absence makes Sydney and other parts of the state have fully the heart grow fonder and a little time out, embraced that first step towards freedom in however we can achieve it, is never a bad idea! seeing beloved persons in their life amongst GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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