Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 378 The Feast Begins - Appetizers and Cold Dishes

Chapter 380 The Feast Begins - Appetizers and Cold Dishes

"How many guests would like to have drinks?"

After the three were seated, Tian Tong, who was in charge of serving wine among the three brothers, stepped forward.

Zmy and Guscalf nodded, while Azure hesitated slightly: "I might not be very good at strong liquor."

Although she is of legal drinking age, her knowledge of alcohol is almost nonexistent, except for a few sips of sparkling wine at celebratory banquets.

If Hugo were here, he would probably refuse without hesitation—the detective thought inexplicably.

The firm's boss was a staunch abstainer. He believed that knowingly drinking a liquid would impair judgment and health was an incomprehensible act.

"It's alright," the sommelier said with a smile. "Our wines are all carefully blended low-alcohol beverages, like the perfect accompaniment at a concert."

"After all, you can't appreciate the full flavor of food when you're drunk." Guscalf said, using his surprisingly nimble fingers.

The tableware is elegantly laid out in front of you. "The high spiciness of strong liquor can also mask the flavor that the chef wants to bring out in the dish."

"However, some restaurants do offer a small amount of spirits as an after-dinner drink. It's said to aid digestion." Jimmy nodded, the plates and bowls in front of him already neatly arranged without him noticing.

Bilan quietly observed the two gourmets' smooth pre-meal rituals and followed suit, preparing for her meal as well.

"Well then, let's start by trying the first drink I'm recommending."

Mr. Tian Tong gracefully spread his arms, and the florid monkey with green leaves on its head stepped lightly, carrying three cups of pale golden wine on a tray and presenting them to the three people.

"This is a Budding Vermouth," an aromatic sweet white wine originally from the Carlos region, but after being introduced to Goldenwheel in the Uniced region, a new winemaking method was developed. Locals place a miracle seed in the oak barrels during winemaking, adding a natural herbal flavor to the wine throughout the year's aging process.

As the three accepted their glasses, the sommelier placed a basket in front of them. "If you're worried that the drinks on their own might be a bit bland, you can pair them with these almond cookies and sheep cheese. However, considering the amount of food you're about to eat, I suggest you bear with it a little longer. These snacks will be packaged together after the meal and given to you as a souvenir from the restaurant."

Of the three, only Guscalf and Azure Eevee each accepted a cookie filled with cheese.

Azure gazed curiously at the shimmering light in the cup in her hand, and whether it was just her imagination or not, she could vaguely smell the fresh scent of moss after the rain.

"Since it's springtime, our menu today will be themed 'New Life,' using the freshest seasonal ingredients possible."

Seeing that the three guests had finished their aperitifs, Tian Tong promptly collected the empty glasses and continued to introduce the wine to everyone: "Although this white wine has been stored for a year, its rich aroma is like a new bud breaking through the soil. I hope this glass of wine can lead you on a wonderful and pleasant taste journey."

"It served quite well as an aperitif to complement the sea salt soda."

The food editor, wiping cookie crumbs from her hands with a napkin, said—

"I initially thought that two drinks in a row would make the taste similar and boring, but the carbonation and the smoothness of the grass in the two drinks were well balanced. Not only did they not clash, but they also had a positive effect."

Azure Detective nodded repeatedly, feeling that the fat man's assessment was very apt.

"The portion size is also just right," added Jimmy, standing nearby. "It's enough to make even a wine novice like Ms. Azure enjoy it; at least this 'Budding Vermouth' is perfectly acceptable as an aperitif."

"Thank you for your compliments. Next up are the appetizers to tantalize your taste buds."

The Grass-type Gym Leader bowed to the crowd and offered his seat to the next waiter.

Koun and his Coldwater Monkey carried three plates and took over from Tian Tong, walking gracefully out from the direction of the kitchen.

"Hello everyone, the following dish is called 'Iron Arm Shrimp Claw Sashimi with Citrus Vinegar Jelly.' It's topped with an airy mousse made from frothy frog foam."

The plates that were served in front of us emitted a cold mist, making the crystal-clear ingredients on them look more like works of art.

"In addition, this is a champagne that Tian Tong has selected to accompany your meal. Its fruity flavor can further enhance the freshness of the shrimp."

"Is this the claw meat of the iron-armed pistol shrimp?"

Azure carefully poked at the meat with her fork; the thin, translucent flesh gleamed like pearls under the light.

"Yes, the collection records from the legitimate Alora breeding farm are attached to the back of the menu. You can view the surveillance footage of the pliers falling off naturally if you are interested."

Kohn added at the opportune moment, smiling as he handed over a tablet terminal.

"Some people still have reservations about eating Pokémon meat, but medical analysis has shown that consuming small amounts of the organs shed by these special Pokémon does not harm the human body. In fact, the mild water-type energy in the claw meat of the Iron-Armored Shrimp may even help promote human digestion."

Azure watched the Iron-Armed Pistol Shrimp's heartbreaking loss of its claws in fast-forward.

It appears that the iron-armed pistol shrimp used too much force while battling its companion, winning the contest but unfortunately breaking its claw. The severed claw was retrieved immediately by divers who arrived at the scene after the monitor issued an alarm; there was absolutely no trace of human intervention involved.

"It's a classic dish. The orange vinegar jelly can mask some of the flavor of the claw meat, so even diners who are averse to the claw meat of the prawn can enjoy the deliciousness of this dish. The foam mousse of the frog also adds some texture to this appetizer, but it is more novel than substantial, and seems a bit formalistic."

Guskaf made a somewhat indifferent comment, but in the blink of an eye, he elegantly swept his plate clean, even scooping up the runny foam mousse with his fork. He ate so cleanly that one couldn't help but wonder how he did it.

The detective herself tried forking a piece of the claw meat, and felt a fishy aroma from the sea mixed with the sourness of oranges flood her mouth. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it was a very sophisticated taste.

"Yes, the knife skills are neat, and the freshness of the ingredients is just right. Regarding the foam mousse, I basically agree with Mr. Guscalf's view that innovation in ingredients should be presented to diners in a clear and perceptible way. But if we only consider the taste, this mousse, which adopts the concept of molecular gastronomy, is still a plus."

King Zhimi put down his knife and fork, savoring the lingering memories on his tongue.

"To be honest, I don't usually dare to comment on this dish in public, because I'm worried that someone might deliberately catch and harm the iron-armed pistol shrimp in pursuit of their appetite after hearing my review. But personally, I really love the taste of the claw meat."

"I've heard about it."

The gourmet looked at Jimmy and raised his glass of champagne—

"I heard from my friends in the Carlos region that you actually discovered the Steel Cannon Shrimp, the king of the dinosaurs, by chance when you were shopping for ingredients."

"Sigh, this story has been completely misunderstood, as if I was ever involved in the Pokémon trade. I've been trying to explain and clarify, but it seems to have little effect."

The Water-type Elite Four member shook his head with a wry smile and sighed.

"So what's the real situation?"

Azure sipped her bubbly champagne and asked curiously,

"I did encounter the pre-evolutionary Iron Arm Pistol Shrimp because I was buying ingredients, but the ingredients I bought back then were not meat, but seaweed."

"Seaweed?" The girl and the food editor both looked surprised.

"Yes." Zhimi shrugged. "Because it was a wholesale purchase, the sellers at the market didn't check it very carefully, and that iron-armed pistol shrimp was pitifully trapped in this pile of seaweed because its claws got tangled."

"What a wonderful coincidence," Kohn, who was standing to the side, said with a smile, covering his mouth.

"Our next cold dish is 'Snow Melt Cherry Blossom Fish Roe,' made with immature roe from cherry blossom fish that failed to develop into fairy eggs during the breeding season. The base of this dish is fresh kelp that has undergone 'freeze-drying.'"

As he explained, Tian Tong gracefully entered the venue, pushing a silver food cart.

On the dining car, crushed ice is piled up to form a miniature snow mountain, on which three slices of kelp that have undergone a special "freeze-drying" process are spread out, resembling an ice field thawing in early spring.

The brightly colored fish roe piled on the kelp resembled early cherry blossoms blooming in the snow, shimmering with the color of jewels under the light.

"Actually, according to past practice, this dish shouldn't be served at this time of year." Koun leaned forward slightly, his sea-blue hair falling over his forehead.

"Fortunately, spring came a few days earlier than usual this year, which allowed the cherryfish schools near the Sinnoh Sea to begin their breeding season ahead of schedule."

His fingers gently turned the disc displaying the snow-capped mountains, rotating the vibrant fish roe sashimi to each guest.

"If you don't like the fishy smell of raw caviar, you can squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on it before eating. There is also a way to eat it with wasabi soy sauce, but we still recommend eating it on its own to experience the purest vitality of spring."