‘Is that legal?' Hospo identities share weirdest customer requests
Difficult requests, intriguing orders and just plain weird queries are a daily challenge for our chefs, waiters and bartenders. And Australia's best have to keep on their toes, because they might be called on to puree steak frites in a blender or asked to make a cocktail with breast milk, or accommodate a diner who wants to wield a sword at dinner.
But back to that possum. Moscovitz, who recently opened French-Japanese restaurant Bellevue Woolloomooloo in Sydney, said the request for a marsupial main course came not at the new venue on Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo, but from a regular customer at his Glebe restaurant, Bellevue Cottage.
'They wanted a private function for 50 people,' he said. With possum the star of the show, Moscovitz's first thought was, 'Is that legal?' He briefly pondered practical matters, like how you'd even cook it? 'I'm guessing like a rabbit,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Feel like crying at work? In Japan, they can help with that
This story is part of the August 16 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories. The young Japanese guys look as if they've stepped out of an anime and into the conference rooms of office buildings across Tokyo. They're extremely handsome, impeccably dressed with slightly tousled hair, and have soft, kind eyes. Those eyes will soon be spilling tears as they encourage the group of assembled office workers in the room, all of whom are women, to do the same. Some of them play melancholy songs on musical instruments. Some read stories featuring sympathetic characters who are set on a path towards a sad ending. Others show weepy films that are designed to tug at the heart-strings, such as the one about a father trying to visit his young daughter, who has been rushed to hospital in an emergency, but she dies before he can get there. Soon enough, everyone in the room is sniffling, prompted by the young man, the meeting's convener, who has himself turned on the waterworks. He then approaches each of them and gently wipes away their tears with a handkerchief, soothing them and reassuring them that it's OK to cry. The above scenario isn't a scene from the latest Studio Ghibli animated movie, but a real-life situation. A company called Ikemeso Danshi – which translates as 'handsome weeping boys' – provides this service for 7900 yen ($82) per session. 'In Japan, showing too much emotion can lead to poor relationships with others,' the company's founder, Hiroki Terai, tells me via email. 'Everyone lives by their public image. People who cry are seen as weak.' Terai wanted to change that. He got his start running 'divorce ceremonies', which involved estranged couples smashing their wedding rings. He found that they'd often both cry together and would say later that they'd found the experience therapeutic. He transferred this idea to the workplace, where people traditionally bottle up their feelings. 'There's definitely a reason for a service like this,' says anthropology lecturer Dr Shiori Shakuto at The University of Sydney. 'I think it shows that women are more prominent in the workplace now in Japan and that people are wanting to become more open, bringing out something that used to be kept for the private domain and making it public.' Loading Shakuto points out that the advertising around Ikemeso Danshi describes it as a healing service and that 'traditionally, such services have been given by women to men, and they're often sexualised, whereas with this service, it's the women who are feeling healed because they can look at good-looking men who are showing their vulnerability by crying'. Ikemeso Danshi, and its army of about 20 crying conveners bearing hankies, has been teasing tears out of Tokyo's workers since 2015. Shakuto says the idea is taking hold at the same time as certain changes in Japanese society are taking place. 'For the longest time, work was central to life and identity,' she says, 'but I think that's definitely shifting and there's greater work-life balance, especially since COVID.' As for whether this could work anywhere else, such as Australia, Shakuto is doubtful the business model would translate. 'There's definitely something in the idea that opening up to your colleagues more is good for the work culture, but would crying together work here? I'm not so sure.'
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Feel like crying at work? In Japan, they can help with that
This story is part of the August 16 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories. The young Japanese guys look as if they've stepped out of an anime and into the conference rooms of office buildings across Tokyo. They're extremely handsome, impeccably dressed with slightly tousled hair, and have soft, kind eyes. Those eyes will soon be spilling tears as they encourage the group of assembled office workers in the room, all of whom are women, to do the same. Some of them play melancholy songs on musical instruments. Some read stories featuring sympathetic characters who are set on a path towards a sad ending. Others show weepy films that are designed to tug at the heart-strings, such as the one about a father trying to visit his young daughter, who has been rushed to hospital in an emergency, but she dies before he can get there. Soon enough, everyone in the room is sniffling, prompted by the young man, the meeting's convener, who has himself turned on the waterworks. He then approaches each of them and gently wipes away their tears with a handkerchief, soothing them and reassuring them that it's OK to cry. The above scenario isn't a scene from the latest Studio Ghibli animated movie, but a real-life situation. A company called Ikemeso Danshi – which translates as 'handsome weeping boys' – provides this service for 7900 yen ($82) per session. 'In Japan, showing too much emotion can lead to poor relationships with others,' the company's founder, Hiroki Terai, tells me via email. 'Everyone lives by their public image. People who cry are seen as weak.' Terai wanted to change that. He got his start running 'divorce ceremonies', which involved estranged couples smashing their wedding rings. He found that they'd often both cry together and would say later that they'd found the experience therapeutic. He transferred this idea to the workplace, where people traditionally bottle up their feelings. 'There's definitely a reason for a service like this,' says anthropology lecturer Dr Shiori Shakuto at The University of Sydney. 'I think it shows that women are more prominent in the workplace now in Japan and that people are wanting to become more open, bringing out something that used to be kept for the private domain and making it public.' Loading Shakuto points out that the advertising around Ikemeso Danshi describes it as a healing service and that 'traditionally, such services have been given by women to men, and they're often sexualised, whereas with this service, it's the women who are feeling healed because they can look at good-looking men who are showing their vulnerability by crying'. Ikemeso Danshi, and its army of about 20 crying conveners bearing hankies, has been teasing tears out of Tokyo's workers since 2015. Shakuto says the idea is taking hold at the same time as certain changes in Japanese society are taking place. 'For the longest time, work was central to life and identity,' she says, 'but I think that's definitely shifting and there's greater work-life balance, especially since COVID.' As for whether this could work anywhere else, such as Australia, Shakuto is doubtful the business model would translate. 'There's definitely something in the idea that opening up to your colleagues more is good for the work culture, but would crying together work here? I'm not so sure.'
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Where to get the BEST toasties in Perth
Fremantle Why is stuff between two slices of bread so damn good? This is the question you will be pondering as you tuck into one of the excellent sandwiches in the delightful cafe in Fremantle's West End. The kimchi and cheese is a particular favourite with kimchi, provolone, cheddar and swiss cheese, and given a little extra kick with kimchi salt. Out of this world. Or maybe you're more inclined towards the roasted mushroom toastie with bechamel and mozzarella. We're hungry just thinking about it. Myaree At Home Coffee Co. Credit: Instagram If you are after comfort food with a twist (and really good coffee), then this slick cafe has you covered. It is known for its excellent selection of toasties, including the classic ham and cheese and the nori and cheese, in addition to an menu full of drool-worthy Japanese-inspired cafe dishes like mushroom congee. The coffee is damn fine, too. Perth and Victoria Park Toastface grillah. Credit: supplied / supplied There is nothing wrong with perfecting a classic and that's what this much loved sandwich spot has done. Since first opening its doors in 2013, Toastface has slung out more melted cheese toasties than most of us have had hot dinners. Its classic - a grilled cheddar cheese for an extremely reasonable $6 - is a prime example of why sometimes basic is best. Fremantle Little Sister Cheese Toastie. Credit: Instagram We all know and love Kakulas Sister, so it's worth getting to know Little Sister, a deli that started out as a counter inside the beloved international grocer before branching out next door. Pop in for some bougie cheese, or charuterie, and while you're at it, grab a cheese toastie for lunch. Its classic involves eight cheeses, free range ham, onion jam and French butter. Delicious. Woodlands Oh So Deli. Credit: Facebook These guys know sandwich. From their chicken katsu sanger (yum) to their crispy Korean Chicken covered in gochujang and honey glaze (double yum) the worst thing about this place is choosing what to order. And if you're like 'that's all very well, but what's their toastie game like', the answer is: strong. Think smoked pastrami brisket with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. Or smoked ham, mojo pork swiss cheese, spicy pickles, pickled pinapple, jalapeno with honey mustard aioli. All toasted for a delicious winter lunch.
