Wednesday, April 5, 2017

E is for EGGPLANT PARMESAN at Assaggio's #AtoZ

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:
an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.
*** *** ***  
One of my favorite restaurants is Assaggio's. And a favorite menu choice of mine is Eggplant Parmesan. In the early 90's, my initial experience with Assaggio's was in Honolulu at Ala Moana Shopping Center, my home away from home for 12 years. After a hard day's work, the restaurant offered a soothing respite. It also presented its patrons with visual tranquility. 
 
My thoughts quickly return to a platter of fragrant baked eggplant, smothered with fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. In the background is heard the steady, rhythmic flow of water into a pond below. Between bites, a glance reveals a school of colorful Japanese koi fish swimming languidly past the window table. The waiter asks, "More wine?"  
 
photo by Gail M Baugniet
 
A plaque fronting the sculpture reads:
 
WAIOLA
The Living Waters. Symbolic of the new life found
in the Islands of Hawaii by all peoples and of the
harmony of Aloha achieved here through the
mingling of cultures.
This fountain form is made of silicon bronze, weighs
two tons, stands fifteen feet high and cascades
1000 gallons of water per minute.
 
Artist: George Tsutakawa        Engineer: Jack Uchida
June 30, 1966   
 
***   ***   *** 
 

8 comments:

  1. That sounds so delicious. Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday!
    Mary at Play off the Page

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm one of those weird folks who dislike eggplant but hubby loves it.

    E: Ecuador & Epcot
    DB McNicol, author & traveler
    Theme: Oh, the places we will go!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh, eggplant parmesan and koi fish all in the same place? Sounds like heaven! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! Interesting to hear how eggplant fairs on everyone's list of food choices. Laura, it is soothing the watch the fish swim in lazy circles while eating, good for digestion!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my! How much do I want to go to Assiago's now? Sounds like a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've never been in a restaurant that had koi. How lovely that installation is. Peaceful. Now, Eggplant Parmesan, that's a diferent matter. It's one of my favorite dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I never had a full appreciation of eggplant until I went to China. OMG, the things they do with that vegetable over there! I could have become a vegetarian without hesitation or the slightest regret.

    ReplyDelete

Aloha and thank you for visiting today! Feel free to tweet or share any posts of interest.