However, heavily burdened as she was, she was determined to join the usual family celebration and waddled into Barracuda at Bucklands Beach on Thursday evening.
We had chosen the beachfront restaurant for several reasons – one it was close to daughter’s home if she needed to depart in a hurry; two, it had great Tuesday to Thursday meal specials of $17.95 (the full menu was also available), and thirdly, there was a new chef in the kitchen.
Without doubt we were in a celebratory mood and ready to enjoy ourselves. And we did. From the first, daughter’s entrance caused great hilarity especially amongst a jovial group of women diners who looked to be having a girls’ night out. I think, perhaps, there was a great deal of empathy for one who looked fit to burst.
Despite daughter still sticking to her gym programme – she reckoned squats were sure to hurry this infant along – and attending bump yoga, it seemed there was little she could do to hasten the birth and relieve herself of busy little feet that wouldn’t stop tap dancing or practising footy. We didn’t know whether we were expecting a grand-daughter or a grandson but whatever I’m sure this wee mite will be an exercise enthusiast too.
However, I digress. Back to dinner. While regretfully daughter could only manage about a quarter of her truly delicious salmon linguine – “there’s just no space left,” she declared – the rest of us cleaned up, including the remains of her dish. It was scrumptious (and beautifully presented) scallops for the birthday boy, pork fillet for son-in-law and the husband and, for me, the perfect eye fillet steak.
Barracuda’s new chef did himself proud despite being in the job a mere week. And just when we thought we couldn’t manage another bite, son was presented with a complimentary dessert. Barracuda has made it a practice to give any guest celebrating his or her actual birthday at the restaurant a complimentary dessert of chocolate mudcake.
On this occasion, I think partly because of daughter’s condition, the owners kindly extended this service to a small tasting plate of several desserts which gave each of us a mouthful of mudcake, gelato, citrus tart, sticky date pudding and passionfruit cheesecake. Personal preferences prevailed but it was the sticky date pudding that did it for me.
I was also impressed by the addition of white tablecloths for evening dining at Barracuda – they really did add an air of refinement. Our friendly waitress also did her part to make the evening a success and by time we left (with a “waddle and a quack”) we could all sympathise with daughter – a very full tummy can be both a pleasure and a pain!
