Heaven On A Plate (Applebee’s)

Back in the summer of 2009, I chomped on grilled belly strips of pink salmon during an island hopping adventure in Zambales. Never forgot that delectable taste of the meat since. I came to a point of craving it every week for a few months. When I say craving I meant cooking. Then time came when I had to tighten my belt. The weekly treat became monthly and then quarterly.

The craving was immured when I had to work overseas in April 2012 until I attended an ecumenical gathering in February this year somewhere in the City. After quite a long time, I came mouth to mouth with a simple pink salmon dish. I felt like I tasted it again for the first time; the craving instantly came back to life. I vowed to satisfy this hunger quarterly from then on. So last May, I went to that restaurant, whose name rhymes with maple trees, to have a plate of pan seared pink salmon. It was my first time to splurge on something esculent. A sort of luxury for a middle-class like me. Nevertheless, I felt no regret. I’m not an epicure but I know how to appreciate something beautiful and scrumptious. What I am about to unfold is beautiful and scrumptious, at least for me.

When the food was delivered, it feels as if I got a surprise gift from a loved one, I can’t help but marvel at the artistry of the plate when it was placed in front of me. The elements just seem to come together to create a unique experience. I can’t ignore the creative presentations. The big green plate with the colors of the food coalescing into a beautiful painting simply took my breath away.

When I began slicing the soft pink meat and put it into my mouth, the best part of the story was revealed. The taste of the combination of flavors from sweet to spicy and slowly feeling the textures of the food in my mouth was awesome. Add to that the chewy taste of Chile lime rub and mushroom sauce that’s married to a bed of glutinous rice primavera, it felt like I was tasting heaven on a plate. I would have said it felt like it brought happiness on a plate but that would be an understatement. This explains why I had to take a few pictures to remember that great, great day.

The next visit to the place was supposed to be this month, August, but considering that my birthday is due next month, I decided to have the big green plate by then. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that day.

Related Blog Posts

 A Taste of Primavera at foodiediaries.com

Chipotley Lime Salmon at barefeetinthekitchen-recipes.blogspot.com

Kopi Es Tak Kie, Jakarta at sharontravelogue.wordpress.com

Bandung Legendary Eatery: Toko You at sharontravelogue.wordpress.com

Royal Stag Bistro at sharontravelogue.wordpress.com

An Evening at the Terrace Grill at thepinktarha.com