Chapter 100

"Shinobu, a Higawari set meal over here!"

"Two of the same for this table as well!"

"Yes, sir!"

In the middle of the day in the ancient capital, enthusiastic orders fly back and forth during the busy lunch rush.

The sun is still high in the sky, but today, Nobu has already hung out the noren.

Thanks to the ongoing market and the spring weather and calm skies, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the izakaya Nobu, where Hans works, is no exception.

The fully occupied restaurant is bustling with porters, craftsmen, and merchants on their lunch break. Shinobu and Leontine, taking orders in the lively restaurant, look quite busy.

"But it's great that Nobu is open for lunch."

"Absolutely. They say they'll be open tomorrow too, so maybe I'll bring some friends."

Listening to the happy customers who are enjoying the Tatsutage, Hans, who is plating dishes in the kitchen, feels a bit joyful too.

The idea to start lunch service came from Leontine.

She used to be a female mercenary but has settled into being one of the hostesses at the izakaya Nobu after various events.

"It would be wonderful if people could enjoy Nobu's cuisine even during the day."

The izakaya Nobu has a great reputation among food connoisseurs in the ancient capital. However, the restaurant isn't very large, so it's not always possible to eat when you want to.

Hans, an apprentice chef, has heard complaints from acquaintances who can't get a taste of Nobu's dishes.

No matter how delicious the drinks and dishes are, they are meaningless if you can't eat them.

Since expanding the restaurant wasn't an option, extending the operating hours was a viable solution.

With Taisho, Shinobu, Aefa, Leontine, and Hans, they felt they could manage lunch service.

The goal was to let as many customers as possible enjoy the meals.

For lunch, they narrowed down the menu to set meals and a few a la carte dishes to reduce the time it takes to serve the food.

Alcohol is limited to one cup per person.

While this rule might draw complaints from someone like Deovin the deacon, they want customers who want to drink to do so during the main evening service.

The market celebrating the marriage of the Emperor and Empress is conveniently taking place. Since now was the best time to start, today is the first day of lunch service.

Despite some initial nervousness, it has been a huge success so far.

The Tatsutage, which is deep-fried, is selling like hotcakes.

Hans tried it too, and today's Tatsutage is delicious.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

The well-fried young duck breast is coated with a sweet and sour glaze. The appetizing sweet and sour flavor is irresistible, even when you're tired.

The Tatsutage, which Hans had fried two pieces for his own meal, was reduced to one because Shinobu, Aefa, and Leontine had been nibbling on it.

The set meal comes with bread or rice.

Shinobu insisted that rice goes better with Tatsutage. Hans thinks both are delicious, but Leontine prefers bread.

Aefa, who initially said both were good, quickly switched to the bread side after inventing a Tatsutage sandwich by splitting the bread in half.

Taisho, of course, doesn't get involved in such meaningless disputes, which Hans thinks is wise.

Some customers eat the bread first and then have a drink with the Tatsutage as a snack.

"Boss, it's still early."

"Come on, Hugo. Just one cup, just one cup. And don't call me boss outside the workshop."

"Alright, dad."

Hans's father, Laurenz, and his brother, Hugo, are also enjoying the Higawari set meal.

Not long ago, they were too busy grinding special lenses to take a lunch break. However, things have slowed down recently.

Hugo's lenses are indeed excellent, but they are not something everyone uses. Moreover, they are extremely expensive due to the time and effort required.

It seems that Thomas, a priest knowledgeable in astronomy, is introducing Hugo to his acquaintances, but orders haven't been pouring in. There aren't many astronomy researchers with the financial means to make such a costly purchase without seeing the product.

On the contrary, there are more orders for the glassware they plan to sell at the spring market, indicating a return to their original lifestyle.

Laurenz and Hugo reluctantly finished their single cup of Triaezna and left the restaurant. It's a cruel rule, but a rule is a rule. No matter what, only one cup of alcohol per person.

They can't make exceptions based on family ties.

Besides, at this rate, Laurenz will likely come back in the evening.

The side dishes accompanying the set meal are also carefully prepared.

Today, there is a soup and two small dishes. One of the small dishes is a creation by Hans.

Hans remembered a customer named Marco, who ordered sea urchin the previous evening and had an interesting way of eating it.

Since sea urchin is expensive and can't be prepared in large quantities, Hans tried using miso as a substitute, and it turned out quite well.

The bitterness of the snow shoots is mellowed, resulting in a soft and gentle flavor. The aroma that fills your nose when you take a bite is unique to spring mountain vegetables.

It has a taste that is more suited to Leishu's alcohol, so it will also be used as an appetizer in the evening. This is the second dish to be adopted after the pelmeni.

It's a bit gratifying to have come up with a dish that pairs well with Leishu, especially as the number of Leishu enthusiasts has been increasing thanks to Deovin the deacon's enthusiastic preaching.

Aefa immediately contacted her friend, Camilla, an apprentice pharmacist, to ask her to pick more snow shoots. Since it's the season for gathering herbs, she can do it on the side. Aefa also negotiated the payment, and they agreed on a satisfactory amount.

In terms of procurement, Aefa is much more reliable than Taisho, who sometimes makes big mistakes.

The other dish is a bean stew.

The beans were brought by Marco, a sea urchin lover, before he left the ancient capital the previous evening.

These beans were the problem.