For me, home cooked food is fine and Bahadur’s cooking is good. However, here in Seattle I am in a minority as both my granddaughters, Yameena and Serena, have a different view; to them restaurant food is preferable and they do have their favored joints. Last Saturday for breakfast on Serena’s choice we journeyed to Rusty Pelican Cafe.
The restaurant was packed, the receptionist gave a ticket for half an hour cooling down. We waited outside.
At long last we were guided to a table by a waitress who placed the Menu card in front as we sat down. Being familiar with the Menu, Serena ordered her choice and so did Jafar, her Dad. I scanned the card and felt my heart sink a wee bit on noticing the price mentioned for each dish. The cheapest being Farmers Market Omelette at $ 18.5 (Rs 1500 approx) ! My mind raced back to the omelet which we regularly have at the BEPTA restaurant after a round of golf. A two egg omelet stuffed with the trappings is available at Rs 60 ($ 0.75 approx). Before Serena or her Dad decided to order a dish of their choice for me, I asked for the omelet.
It was another half an hour wait before the ordered dishes were served The omelet looked ominous
Green Peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms and spinach. Topped with Swiss cheese and avocado.
I could not resist. As we ate, I spoke to Serena regarding the advantages of home cooked food vis a vis having meals in a restaurant. The lengthy waiting outside, the high prices of the dishes and again keep waiting for the meal to be served. All these are absent while eating at home, I told her. Jafar found our conversation interesting and kept recording it.
The bottom line is that I failed in convincing her.
To my surprise a day later, as I stepped down the staircase, Serena called out to me.
“Dada, I have cooked egg for you,” she said.
As I sat on the chair at the dining table she placed a plate in front. Lo and behold, an omelet was in it!
She cooked it for me on Mother’s Day!
Impressions, Perceptions and Views. 
I do not know to put the good old Hindi saying in English but it means ” Grand children are more precious than your own children” God bless them all.
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Yes they are the gift which sustain us and enliven our lives as we grow older. God bless
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I am aware of Bahadur’s cooking in Secunderabad. It’s great. And it’s on the table at the right time. But expecting that at a popular joint at Seattle is a pipe dream. And as for the costs, it would be foolish to convert the cost to the equivalent of Indian rupees. If one is earning in Dollars, one needs to spend in dollar terms.
While the omlette at the restaurant would be tasty, it needs not be healthy and nutritious. They spike it with preservatives and taste enhancers to entice the client.
But a morning with grand children is something to be treasured irrespective of the cost of the omlette.
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Thank you, Bahadur’s cooking has further improved. Do try it out at your convenience! Yes, the joint is popular and overflows with patrons. The conversion was to show the ratio of the costs, here in Seattle vs Golf restaurant at Secunderabad. It is staggering 16:1. I think there are sufficient regulators here to check the hygiene and usage of the components in the eatables. No complaints so far.
You have appropriately mentioned; to be with the grandchildren is living in another environment.
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Nice story Baqir. I didn’t know that an Omlette could be so expensive in Seattle. I too prefer home food, Baqir. Love. Tipsy Chowdhury
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Thank you Tipsy, We realise it as our pay checks were miserly! Here it is a different story for those who can afford and there are many. Good, will have a meal together when we meet next. Loves & duas.
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