Steve looked at the watch on his wrist and saw that it was 8pm.
Your grandmother was one hour late. This was not normal.
"My grandmother is late." Steve commented and picked up the phone and dialed his grandma's number.
After a few taps, Mrs. Beaufort answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Grandma, when are you coming? It's late."
"Has Anna arrived yet?"
"Yes. She arrived on time."
"Is she by your side?"
"Yes."
"Put on speakerphone."
Steve put the call on speakerphone and Mrs. Beaufort began to speak.
"Anna, Honey, how you doing?"
"Mrs. Beaufort, fine. Did something happen? You scheduled dinner for 7 pm and you haven't arrived yet…"
"Well, something happened. I have some problems, I can't go."
"Problems? What problems?" Steve asked worried.
"Don't worry, I can handle it, I'm not dead! Keep Miss Anna company and thank she on my behalf. Unfortunately I can't keep up but that's what you are for. Well, I have to hang up, good night!"
Mrs. Beaufort hung up decisively.
Steve and Anna looked at the smartphone in shock.
"Well, it looks like it's just the two of us. How about ordering the food?" Steve laughed awkwardly.
It was obvious to him what his grandma was doing. She was trying to be a matchmaker.
"Okay."
Steve rang the bell again and they both made their orders.
The waiter brought the tea and left quickly.
The pair continued to talk about teas and their favorite appetizers to go with the tea.
They found that there was much in common in their taste for food.
They both liked sweet, spicy and sour flavors and did not like bitter and greasy flavors.
When the food arrived, they began to eat happily.
"Try the caviar canape. It's delicious." Steve recommended.
Anna put a settee in her mouth and was surprised.
"Wow, the cream cheese and chives help complement very well."
"Yes. The lemon over the caviar too."
The two then moved to the borscht.
"Perfect! The taste of meat and beets are well balanced!" Anna commented.
"I don't like soups very much but yes it's delicious. I don't know, I think we should have ordered an onion soup."
"Now that you say it, I think too. Do you prefer soup with recipe from country P or country F?"
"The soup recipe from country P! I think country F's recipe, despite being the original, is missing something. And there is also the recipe from Country B, where they put some chicken or bacon diced, it's delicious."
"Yeah. Country B's cooking is great. Too bad it's hard to find a place that serves country B cuisine."
"Do you know the cuisine of country B?"
"Yeah. In college, I made friends with a girl from country B! We would always go to her apartment to experience the delights of Country B. How did you meet the cuisine of country B?"
"My aunt loves to travel the world. And she hired a chief from country B. Whenever I go to my cousin's house, this aunt's son, I ask to serve something from country B."
"Wow. I am jealous! Country B's food is one of the best I've ever eaten."
"I think like that too!"
"I remember once my friend had a typical country B barbecue! The meat was baked in perfect. The meat was soft, tender and juicy."
"Yes, the beef rib and picanha barbecue is amazing and the chicken wings roasted and served with a lemon and pepper sauce is delicious."
"Oh yeah. And Pão de Queijo! Oh dear, it's wonderful! The cheese has a different flavor and much more taste!"
"In fact, it's delicious. Do you know a fruit called Jabuticaba?"
"Do not know."
"It is a fruit from country B. It is a small fruit and has a black skin. The pulp is white and sweet. It is excellent for health, full of antioxidants. My aunt brought some seedlings and planted them in her greenhouse. Every year when the fruits show up, I go to the greenhouse. It's my favorite fruit!"
"Seems interesting."
"If one day you find the opportunity, give it a try. Jabuticaba jelly is delicious. It can be found at 17th Street Market. In fact, that market sells various things from Country B."
"Wow! Is there a market that sells products from country B !?"
"Yes."
In fact, this was the open market for the Beaufort family, simply because Steve loves country B cuisine.
"Can I find Guarana there? I tried a Guarana soda and I loved it!"
"Yes. Although I must say, soda is bad for your health."
"Thanks for the warning, Dr. Beaufort."
"You're welcome." Steve laughed and started to eat his steak.
"The food is amazing! Worthy of the eight stars. It is completely different. Look at this filet, totally juicy, cooked to perfection and none of the greasy flavor we sometimes find." Anna commented happily, cutting her fillet and putting in her mouth.
"Yeah. The bosses here are great."
"Do you know other places where you sell products or foods typical of other countries?"
"Of course! If you want, I can write the addresses of some of the places I know."
"Please!"
The sweet tooth duo spent the rest of the night talking about food, until they realized the time.
They left the hotel at exactly 1:45 AM. And they knew each other very well in culinary terms.
When Anna got home, she was excited and happy. It was a very nice night. And she lay thinking about Steve's handsome, lively face.
Steve, on the other hand, came home and answered his grandmother's inquiry before going to bed, thinking of the lively, beautiful, foodie girl.
They both felt that there was finally a friend to talk about one of their favorite things, food!