The Butter Chicken here is nice

Well here I am. Writing from Nottingham! I had a good day today, 8th Feb. It snowed in the morning and it was the first time I saw snow falling in person (outside of the telly tube) and it was so darn pretty. If you haven’t seen a snow fall you have been missing something in life so far. So add it to your list of things to do before you die;)

So I got to the office and we had a Quarterly review with one of my suppliers and it went ok. And I got back after the day's work and decided to eat at 'Chutney', the Indian restaurant near the Nottingham Castle. I ordered a Butter Chicken and a Nan. The food was yum as usual and it was still snowing outside. I had a seat besides the glass wall facing the street and the view made the whole experience even more scenic. After I was through a guy came and sat at the table next to mine and nodded and smiled at me. I returned the gesture.

He had white hair and must have been in his forties and was wearing a brown jacket. He was holding the menu and pointing at it asked me,"Whats good here?"

"What kinda food you like? Spicy or not so spicy?", I asked back. "Just about ok", he said.

"I'd recommend Butter Chicken. And ask them to not make it too spicy", I suggested. He browsed through the menu and asked,"But where is it on the menu? I cant find it"

"It isnt there. But they prepare it. I just had it", I smiled, pointing to my empty plate and the 'kadai'. The gentleman raised his brows, curled his lips in an inverted U shape and nodded at my tip. And then nodding again, smiled, and said, "Thanks."

"No probs", I retorted, a smile still on my face.

I then nodded to a waiter nearby. When he came standing next to me I streched my neck towards his ear and said in a loud enough voice to reach the next table," The food was great. Can I have my bill please? And I have just recommended the Butter Chicken of this place here to our man there. Do take good care of him." I then shot a glance short enough for me to catch a glimse of smile on that guy and it somehow made me feel happy.

After a while the waitress, who is a usual there, came and brought the machine to charge my credit card. And when I asked for the charge slip for gratuity, she turned it down, reasoning "I am very happy that you ate here. I wont accept any gratuity from you today". I smiled and promised a greater tip the next time and she replied with a smile on a blushed face. Which made me wonder, if I am waitress guy. She was giggling too much and was obviously seemed interested. And last trip's Subway memories havent yet gone away. So....Anyways.

But I am writing this to just highlight the one part of the day where a complete stranger asked me for an advice on what to eat, took it (yes, I made it a point to overhear when he placed his order, to check if he did order Butter chicken or not), and it was all so cool.

I cant imagine going to a restaurant back in India and asking a stranger what to eat and, you know, be so casual about it all. It was so cool. I think this informality, yet non-intrusiveness is appealing to me and I have seen it with not just one but many folks here. I liked it and maybe next time when I am in a foreign/unknown space I will look around too, and ask for whats
best in the house:)

Cheers mate!!