Country girl meets city.
Not the first time such an article has appeared and probably not the last.
Each corner I turn, there is something to remind me I am outside my natural habitat. However, this trip has unexpectedly presented a distinct theme.
To set the scene - picture one farmer's daughter, comfortable in her jeans and western boots, along with one country bloke with a range of stock and DIY butchery experience.
It shouldn't be overly surprising we selected a restaurant renowned for offering a variety of meat cuts and cooking methods.
Having perused the menu, it was agreed a platter bestowing a selection of mouth-watering meats was certainly the way to go. Upon ordering, it was explained our selection was part of a new seasonal menu and some of the specific meat cuts required were yet to arrive after numerous delays.
Not to be totally deterred, we agreed to reassess the menu. Come time to reordered, it quickly became apparent that a venue claiming meat dishes as its signature was certainly struggling to meet customer expectations.
This brings our country pair to their second evening of urban dinning.
With a long-term wish to try wagyu beef, prior research was done to ensure we sampled genuine Japanese wagyu - without having to use a passport.
Having settled upon a Japanese barbecue restaurant, we entered with the agreement the ultimate aim was A5 wagyu and therefore the platter of six A5 cuts sourced directly from Japan was to be our selection.
You may see where this is going.
Sure enough, supply demands and delays regarding meat imports from Japan has resulted in selected wagyu cuts being unavailable.
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The following evening, our pair found themselves hunting out a cosy pub spruiking its selection of German meat platters. Prepared with the expectation of having to select a back-up option, it was almost a surprise when we were presented with exactly what we ordered - particularly considering the six different meat cuts included.
Having seen many articles in the media regarding supply delays regarding fresh produce and meat, it really hadn't dawned on me what this may mean for those dinning out in urban settings.
Perhaps our pair will feel a sense of gratefulness next time they open their freezer stocked with genuine Australian meat, most of which has local origin.
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