Second Chance?

     LV and I stared at the loaded plate on the table in front of us and then looked at each other dubiously.

    We had driven past this particular seafood restaurant many times. We had looked at the reviews online. Both of us love seafood, and the day had finally arrived that we try eating here.

    But the loaded plate in front of us was not looking encouraging.

    We had decided to share an appetizer of coconut shrimp. Something both of us have liked at any other restaurant we've ever tried them. Different recipes for sure, but all quite tasty.

    The abomination in front of us though was something neither of us had envisioned when we had placed our order.

    The shrimp weren't breaded. They were battered in such a hefty batter they were now easily three times bigger than they had originally been. An odd white sauce was doused over them, and then sweetened coconut straight from a bag from the grocery store poured over the top. Presented to us by a smiling and bowing waiter who after setting it on the table, immediately scurried away. 

    After eyeing it for a few moments, LV became courageous enough to give one a try. One bite was more than enough for him. The sauce tastes like toaster strudel frosting, he declared.

    I had to see for myself. I scraped the untoasted coconut to the side and gave the shrimp a try. The batter was bad enough, but the frosting ... dreadful. It really did taste exactly like toaster strudel frosting. Which, as it turns out does not go well with shrimp.

    What could possibly be happening in the kitchen we wondered. Did the chef not show up and some brave but clueless waitress or waiter was trying their best to make something they had no clue how? 

    Our entree arrived soon, and though it wasn't sweet it too was very, very bad.

    We paid, left, and ordered a pizza.

    Since that epic failure of a meal I have really wanted to go back and order the coconut shrimp again just to see if that is actually how they mean for them to be served, or if we simply happened to be there on an unfortunate night.

    The mere thought of eating there again makes LV shudder. So instead of giving them a second chance we simply laugh at the memory every time we drive by, of what had been the worst meal we have ever had.