Celebrate the small things: mawish

Let me begin with a confession: I thought moreish was spelled mawish. I even confidently told a student so. M-A-W-I-S-H, I said, is a synonym for hungry, as in I'm feeling mawish. Yes, shocking isn't it? Not only the wrong spelling, but the wrong definition. Upon realising this grave error-just now- I have determined that I am no longer fit to teach English as a second language, and I will therefore be submitting a letter of resignation on Monday.

The timing is most unfortunate though, as I am soon to be, if my

information is correct, made permanent, having been unwillingly retained as a casual employee for nearly a year. I learned this piece of good news last night at a work dinner held to farewell one of our colleagues who received a better offer, and rightly accepted it.

I chose the restaurant: a little selfishly picking one within walking distance of home, so I could have a few drinks. The restaurant was called Moorish-no kidding. What a coincidence right?

Not at all. The name of this terrific tapas bar and restaurant made me think of the word mawish, which I now know is actually spelled moreish and evidently does not mean hungry, but rather refers to food which makes you want to eat more of it. You know the feeling: you taste something and you love it and you have to eat more of it.

Moorish refers to the Moors (North African Arabs), so Moorish food is cooked in the style of this region. We had a four course tapas banquet which featured a succession of wonderfully flavoured and textured dishes. Everyone was pleased with the food. We had a great night. The place was packed, but the service was sharp. Read my review of Moorish cafe. An all round winner, and the inspiration for this celebrate post in which I was all set to play with the words Moorish and Mawish. Unfortunately, as I explained earlier, mawish is not a word, but Moorish and moreish still works as an example of a pair of homophones.

Homophones? I guess I still have something to offer as an ESL teacher. Perhaps I won't quit after all. Maybe I'l stay and enjoy being made a permanent employee, which effectively means a pay rise. 

What do you think? Should I stay on? Have you eaten Moorish food? What food would you describe as moreish?

Y is for Yummy

Y is for Yummy

“As Mark settled himself at a table inside Peewee’s at the Point, he gazed out through the window across Fannie Bay to Darwin city. He sighed with contentment as he soaked up the exclusive ambience of one of Australia’s top restaurants. His contentment was devoured by the anxiety he felt about the salience of the occasion, and his bewilderment. What was he doing here? Less than a week ago, he had been dining with Lisa at The Jade Palace. This was a significant leap up the social ladder, and the company, although not as attractive as Lisa was bound to be intoxicating. He ordered a James Squire Sundown Lager, and a Puglises sourdough with wattleseed butter and bush tomato relish for an appetizer.”

From chapter 22, Ashmore Grief

This is something a little lighter, but no less tasty than most of my posts. I am not a foodie. I am not obsessed with cooking shows, nor do I spend hours in the kitchen because I love it. In fact, I spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. I do like food, and I have a good appetite. I am an adventurous eater. If I have to go back to the same restaurant, I will order something different from the menu. I will take a risk because I figure if I am out, and someone is cooking for me, why not try something different, even something a little weird sounding. I like food and eating out, but for me the food is always secondary to the company. Dining out is an interesting setting in which to observe human behaviour and I am a student of human behaviour.

We tend not to go to ‘fancy pants’ establishments like PeeWee’s at the Point because of the cost. Big plates, small servings and exorbitant prices tend to spoil the experience for me. However, last year for our anniversary we stayed in Sydney at Swissotel, and ate dinner at Jpb which is located inside the hotel. That was pretty special and I didn’t give a second thought to the cost. It was a special occasion and the food was superb. I had the Crispy Dutton Park duck leg confit, I think.

Tell me about the fanciest dining out experience you’ve ever had.

Pee Wees at the Point

www.peewees.com.au