Chapter 747 - 470: Crab

Chapter 747: Chapter 470: Crab

After tasting the first few dishes, Feng Shan’s expectations began to dwindle.

He frowned slightly, put down his utensils, and his eyes betrayed his disappointment.

To be fair, the ingredients were the only real highlight. The flavors themselves weren’t particularly stunning, and compared to Jenny’s cooking, they seemed to lack a certain finesse and charm.

However, a dish of charcoal-grilled reindeer did bring Feng Shan some satisfaction.

The reindeer meat was meticulously sliced thin, arranged neatly on the plate with an alluring sheen.

It must have been grilled over charcoal, as the heat was controlled perfectly, giving the reindeer a golden-brown, crispy skin that made a crisp sound with a gentle bite.

Yet the inside remained tender and juicy, every mouthful bursting with a rich, meaty aroma.

The accompanying sweet and sour fruit sauce mingled with the savory reindeer meat, instantly adding layers of complexity to the palate.

When it came to dessert, a type of sticky rice ball came as a pleasant surprise to Feng Shan.

Hai City had this specialty snack as well; he hadn’t expected to find it in a restaurant so far away in Alaska.

But after one bite, Feng Shan’s expression changed instantly.

With a look of disbelief, he disdainfully placed the sticky rice ball back on his plate.

’It’s a savory meat filling!’

Feng Shan screamed internally; he couldn’t accept it.

’In my book, how can you even eat a sticky rice ball with a meat filling?’

’The proper way is with red bean paste or sesame sugar.’

’A sweet, soft, and chewy texture—that’s what a sticky rice ball is supposed to taste like.’

Nash, on the other hand, had a particular fondness for these meat-filled sticky rice balls.

He picked one up, popped it into his mouth, and chewed with great relish, a satisfied expression on his face.

After finishing one, he quickly grabbed another.

Completely immersed in the food, he paid no mind to Feng Shan’s disdainful gaze.

As for the final dessert, it was Eskimo Ice Cream, or as Jeff called it, Akutak.

When it was brought to the table, its unique appearance caught Feng Shan’s attention.

It looked like a colorful mixture in a bowl, a blend of the pristine white of fresh cream, the vibrant hues of wild berries, and the distinct shape of fish chunks intertwined.

Feng Shan looked at the bowl of Akutak before him, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

In an instant, a unique, indescribable texture spread across his taste buds.

It was completely different from the traditional ice cream he was used to. The texture of Akutak was much thicker, as if every spoonful was packed with a wealth of ingredients.

The sweetness of the cream spread through his mouth first, followed by a sudden burst of tartness from the berries. The two intertwined, and finally, the savoriness of the fish slowly emerged, adding an unusual flavor to the dessert.

Feng Shan savored it carefully. It was hard to describe it as simply "bad" or "good."

This strange combination of sweet, sour, and savory fish was very characteristic of Inuit cuisine. No wonder they called it Eskimo Ice Cream.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Nash were eating it with great gusto, taking large bites as if they truly loved this unconventional dessert.

All in all, the meal left Feng Shan with mixed feelings that were hard to put into words.

Although the dishes each had their own unique character, as a whole, they didn’t quite suit his palate.

The only other highlight was the smoked porter offered by the restaurant. Its rich, roasted aroma, mingled with hints of vanilla, coconut, and whiskey, spread through the mouth, making it a perfect pairing for the grilled reindeer.

"Everyone, are you enjoying your meal?" A middle-aged man with a ponytail and an artistic flair approached their table. He was slender, dressed in a designer black shirt and dark blue jeans, and exuded a unique charisma with every movement.

After speaking, he looked at Jeff with a warm smile. "Mr. Jeff, it’s been almost two months since we last saw each other. It looks like you’re doing well."

"Jeff, I heard you’ve brewed a new beer. Why didn’t you bring it out for me to try?" Jeff stood up, extended his hand to shake the man’s, then introduced him to Feng Shan. "Feng, this is Jeff Larson, the owner of Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos. He also runs a craft brewery."

A humble smile appeared on Jeff Larson’s face, and he gave Feng Shan a slight bow.

"Sir, my staff mentioned that you weren’t entirely satisfied with the Emperor Crab cream soup. I value customer feedback very much and would like to know what aspects you were unhappy with. I’ll be sure to have the chef make improvements."

"Maybe there wasn’t enough Emperor Crab. I’m a big fan of seafood," Feng Shan explained jokingly, trying to express his opinion lightly without making the atmosphere too awkward.

Hearing this, Jeff Larson gave an apologetic smile and said unhurriedly, "If that’s the reason, then I do apologize. The Emperor Crab we purchase for the restaurant comes from the legendary crabbing boat of the Bering Sea, the River Beach. It was by a stroke of luck, a chance encounter, that I met the exclusive purveyor for the River Beach and managed to secure a small quota of their Emperor Crab."

As he spoke, he spread his hands, a look of both pride and helplessness on his face, as if he were grateful to have obtained such a precious ingredient but also slightly sorry that he couldn’t meet his customers’ greater demands.

"The purveyor for the River Beach? Are you talking about Xu Hongying?" Feng Shan’s lips curved into a slight smile, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Hearing the customer in front of him mention the supplier’s name, Jeff Larson’s eyes lit up, and a delighted smile instantly bloomed on his face as he nodded eagerly.

"That’s right, Mr. Xu. I’m also a brewer at a craft brewery, which is another one of my roles. I met Mr. Xu at a beer party, and he strongly recommended the River Beach Emperor Crab. I decided to buy a batch to try it out, and unexpectedly, the dishes we made with it became extremely popular. Plus, the meat of the River Beach Emperor Crab is far more delicious than any other."