Broccoli-less Pasta

The Pirates is a new restaurant around my neighborhood. It looks very decent and well-decorated from outside that outshines the others. I had thought of giving it a try some time ago so I decided to have my lunch there.

Most of the food in the restaurant are of Italian style and they are not cheap, as in comparing with the typical food price here. After skimming through the menu, I ordered a set of Italian pasta called Aglio Olio. 

It took a rather long time to get the food served. Just when I was about to eat, I realized something was wrong with the pasta. It looked a little too plain, something was missing. Oh yes, there was no broccoli on the pasta. I remembered I read about it in the menu. Feeling unsatisfied, I called the waiter and asked him where had the broccoli gone. He was rather surprised that he thought he had served up the wrong order. He took a menu to me and verified. I pointed the description of the pasta to him, which stated that the food was to be served with broccoli. He apologized to me and took the pasta back to the kitchen.

After a while, the food arrived. I saw no broccoli but only cauliflower. I looked at the waiter and said: “This is not broccoli. This is cauliflower and it’s different.” The waiter apologized and told me, ” I’m sorry, Miss. We only have this. Hope you don’t mind.” Lucky him that I was in a good mood and was pretty hungry then. I just let it be and didn’t push ahead.

Later, the waiter approached me with a serving of chocolate dessert and told me it was offered for free by the restaurant as an apology. Not bad. At least some degrees of sincerity was shown. I accepted. 

While paying the bill, I said to the waiter, “Just an advice for you. Broccoli and cauliflower are two different things. They are of different values in term of price and nutrition. If you continue to serve your customers like replacing the broccoli with cauliflower, you’ll get into troubles very soon. Cauliflower is much cheaper than broccoli. I know that.” He apologized to me again and told me their broccoli was currently “out of stock”. What a lame pretext but I didn’t bother to argue with him. 

That’s it. This will be the last time I pay patronage to this restaurant. The chef of this restaurant has no etiquette at all. First, he was trying to fool me by quietly serving the broccoli-less pasta, thinking that me as a first-time customer wouldn’t have realized it. Unfortunately, I did. Second, he was trying to fool me again by replacing the broccoli with cauliflower, thinking that I must be an idiot for not being able to differentiate between these two vegetables. Unfortunately, I did it again. I don’t know if I’m the first victim, but I suppose they will do the same thing to others during their “broccoli-short” period. Yet, I don’t think the others, especially youngsters will respond the same as me. Probably they won’t even realize it.

Anyway, I know someone who will definitely bang the table, give them a hell then cancel the order and leave. >.< I think I shall learn from him and scold like him next time, but it’s not easy at all. It’s not just barking like those typical obnoxious boors do, without brain.

Pick Your Own Running Shoes

When buying a pair of running shoes, what is your top priority? Price, brand, fashion, or your individual needs?

Last time I would go for the cheapest shoes and not care much about the shoe’s brand and design. I felt that no matter how good the running shoes can be, it will still need to be replaced after some time of wear or some distance of run. So why spend so much on it? But running with a poorly designed and engineered shoes is likely to risk your feet to injuries that could lead to a disaster for you. I learned the lesson when the bunion on my right big toe was obviously worsening during my intensive half marathon training. It hurt whenever I put on my running shoes. My doctor had advised me to invest in a pair of good shoes that meet my biomechanical needs. The most important factors are quality, comfort, and safety; price, the last.

When a person recommends you to buy some big-branded shoes for they will improve your running performance, don’t take his words for granted. Not even if he is able to explain to you the strengths of the shoes in details. His feet are not equal to your feet. He and you do not run the same. So, the best is, you understand your biomechanical needs and running conditions, and you choose your own pair of shoes that suit you well based on your individual needs.

Basically, running shoes can be classified into three major categories: cushioned shoes, stability shoes, and motion-control shoes, according to individual’s biomechanical needs; and three minor ones: performance training shoes, racing shoes, and off-road shoes, which are designed for specific running conditions. Major manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, to name but a new are well versed in designing and innovating the running shoes to provide greater comfort, stability, breathability, durability, motion control and lighter weight for different types of runner. However, there are no perfect shoes for everyone, although some shoes could be perfect to you. Despite of their high reliability, all these brands have their pros and cons in many different aspects. So, it is wise to do a thorough research before you decide to buy. Find out more information here.

As for me, I need roomy shoes with wide toe box, so that there is enough space for my bunion and orthotics. I prefer New Balance’s motion control running shoes for this reason. I’ve got a pair of New Balance W587 and I love it very much. It looks really plain but provides excellent comfort and stability. An advice for you anyway, if you plan to order one from the online stores. Do order a half size larger than your regular street shoes as New Balance runs small.

All in all, good luck in picking your own shoes.