There were also quite a few people on the third floor, but because the seats were sparsely spaced and each seat was separated by curtains and screens, it was much quieter and more elegant than the downstairs.
The waiter led the two to an elegant seat. Xu Jiang looked around and found that this seat was located next to the railing with a wide view. It was a good place to listen to the wind and the moon.
"This place is quiet and has a beautiful view. It should have been occupied long ago, but the guest who originally reserved it couldn't come, so it's now vacant." The waiter wiped the low table with a rag, invited the two to sit, and asked, "What would you like to eat, gentlemen?"
Lou Yunchun asked, "Do you have a menu?"
The waiter patted his chest and said, "This is the menu. I guess you two don't come here often, so you don't know that our restaurant has a 'living menu'."
Xu Jiang became interested and said, "In that case, let me give you a menu."
"Listen carefully, my two guests! Our restaurant has four signature dishes: Barbarian Meat, Roasted Calf, Donkey Stuffed with Cold and Warm Flowers, and Yunmeng Meat with Wrapped Flowers. We also have Chicken with Scallions and Vinegar, Immortal Meat, Spring Tendon, Fish Stuffed with Milk, Eight Immortals Plate, Five Immortals Plate, Phoenix Embryo, Cold Toad Soup, Mao Soup, White Dragon Soup, Cool Soup, Longevity Porridge, Small Heavenly Pastry, and Duck Flower Soup Noodles..."
The waiter recited dozens of dishes without stopping, making Xu Jiang dizzy and her head buzzing. She quickly raised her hand to stop him and said, "Enough, enough. There's too much to remember."
The waiter smiled smugly and asked, "Sir, what would you like to eat?"
Xu Jiang looked eagerly at Lou Yunchun. Lou Yunchun thought for a moment and, based on Xu Jiang's usual tastes, named a few dishes: "Braised calf in water, chicken in scallion vinegar, fish stuffed with milk, tendon spring rolls, and two small portions of Tiansu."
Xu Jiang couldn't help but marvel at the fact that he had memorized all the recipes.
The waiter was also a little surprised. He had never expected to meet a rival tonight. He first praised, "Sir, you have a good memory." Then he asked eagerly, "Would you like some drinks?"
Seeing that he was about to name the wine again, Xu Jiang quickly replied, "Just heat a pot of rice wine."
The waiter was a little impatient, "Just rice wine? You don't want to hear anything else?"
Xu Jiang refused repeatedly, "No, no, thank you very much, brother. Please serve the food quickly. I'm really hungry."
"Please wait a moment, my two guests. The food and wine will be here soon." The waiter left with a look of regret on his face.
Xu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, then curiously asked Lou Yunchun, "Did you write down all the food orders he gave you?"
Lou Yunchun said modestly, "I remembered most of it." But his eyes showed some complacency.
Xu Jiang praised him, "Excellent! He is indeed worthy of being the third place in the imperial examination."
Lou Yunchun's brows relaxed immediately, and he smiled faintly.
This situation can be described as: the human face and the moon's face reflect each other, and an inch of snow reflects an inch of heart.
Xu Jiang stared at him blankly, and suddenly understood why Lou Jing gave him the name Zhaoyue.
After a while, the food and wine were served.
First, the dish was water-refined roasted calf, a beef dish. In Dasheng, cattle, horses, and donkeys could not be slaughtered without official permission. Those who did so were not only subject to flogging but also to hard labor ranging from one to three years. Therefore, ordinary people and restaurants rarely consumed or sold beef. This dish was a signature dish, presumably because they had official permission to slaughter them, so they could eat it without worry.
As a signature dish, this dish naturally requires careful preparation. Regular beef isn't the right choice; it must be calf, the most tender part. Despite the demanding ingredients, the preparation is simple: thinly slice the meat, simmer briefly in pre-cooked broth, then remove and drizzle with tea and chili oil, then sprinkle with chopped green onions.
Next was a dish of scallion and vinegar chicken. Scallion and vinegar chicken was originally an official dish. In the past two years, the emperor enjoyed it with the people, and many official dishes were introduced to the people so that the common people could also cook and season them.
It's said that this dish originally featured chicken raised in a pen with scallions and vinegar, but after it spread to the locals, people found it too extravagant and substituted it with ordinary chicken. The chicken should be small, around two pounds is ideal. First, the whole chicken is cleaned and marinated in scallion water, vinegar, and salt. It can be steamed or fried, achieving a tender, crispy finish when steamed or a crispy finish when fried.
Fish is a must-have, and Lou Yunchun ordered the stuffed fish with milk. The milk here isn't milk, but chicken and pork bones, simmered until the broth is milky white. Then, pan-fried carp, golden brown on both sides, is stuffed in. Tofu, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and other vegetables are added, and the stew continues in the residual heat of the stone pot. When it's served, the broth is still boiling, making it a truly enticing dish on a cold winter night.
The remaining two dishes are Jintouchun, which is roasted quail, and Xiaotiansu, which is porridge made with venison and chicken.
Xu Jiang looked at these dishes and knew that they would cost a lot of money, and she felt both greedy and heartbroken.
Lou Yunchun set the table for her, poured a glass of rice wine for himself and her, then raised his glass and called out softly, "A Jiang."
Xu Jiang looked up and saw that he was inviting her to drink with him. She immediately put aside her concern for the money and picked up the wine cup.
Lou Yunchun clinked his cup against hers and said sincerely, "May this day come to me every year."
Her heart warmed, and she said softly, "Every year brings us to this day."
The two of them sat opposite each other, adding the moon to their wine and drinking in its pure light.
"Aren't you hungry? Eat quickly." Putting down the wine cup, Lou Yunchun picked up a piece of beef and put it into Xu Jiang's bowl.
Xu Jiang didn't hesitate, picking up her chopsticks and eagerly digging in. The beef melted in her mouth, and she had to eat a few pieces before she could really taste it; it was incredibly tender and fresh.
She looked up and saw Lou Yunchun staring at her with a smile. She also picked up a piece and put it in his bowl, whispering, "Why are you looking at me? Can it fill your stomach?"
Lou Yunchun nodded, "Yeah."
Xu Jiang couldn't help laughing, "Huh? What are you talking about? Aren't you hungry? Come on and eat."
Lou Yunchun chuckled and started eating.
They both had big appetites and were hungry, so they quickly cleared the food from the table. Xu Jiang sighed contentedly and filled each of them with a final glass of wine, clearing their mouths.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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