Renato cut the half portion of grilled eel on his plate into large chunks, speared one with his fork, and brought it to his mouth.
The skin had been grilled over charcoal until slightly crisp and charred, cracking softly between his teeth. As he chewed, the rich fat beneath it melded with the honey-and-spice sauce, mingling salt and sweetness with a faint, smoky bitterness in the aftertaste.
The outstanding food at the High Tide inn quickly dispelled the slight displeasure left by its inferior drinks.
In terms of flavor alone, this spread of White Harbor specialties was easily the finest meal Renato had eaten since arriving in Ereel.
Granted, judging solely by the quantity of spices and the rarity of the ingredients, it fell far short of the noble banquets he had attended in Fried City and with the Nightwind Family.
Yet it was precisely this restrained seasoning, paired with fresh local ingredients, that gave each dish its distinct character.
After all, most food at noble banquets served to showcase the host's status and wealth. Excessive spices instead spoiled the ingredients' own flavors, making them less enjoyable.
Renato had gone nearly half a day without eating. Moreover, he had not used the Touch of Dakoul in quite some time, leaving his body's demand for calories suppressed for a while. Faced with unlimited free food now, he seemed to rediscover that familiar feeling of sneaking free bread at the Adventurers' Guild.
He took the last two slices of cold-cut lamb from the plate, dipped them in a sauce flavored with mint leaves and lime juice, then put them both into his mouth.
The lamb had been sliced thin, its edges curled, and offered almost no resistance as he chewed. The cool freshness of mint and the mild tartness of lime spread