November 26, 2024
Taking social networking to sizzling heights
I had been resisting for a variety of reasons, but when I finally said “Yes”, I found a whole lot of friends out there, ways to keep up with a growing network of people scattered over the globe, and rediscovered some old childhood friends and people l haven’t seen for years. I’ve found I like it.
A colleague’s nephew ,about to visit Zimbabwe, keeps trying to make arrangements with her through Facebook. The assumption from outside is that everyone is ‘always on.’ Not her — as she is struggling with a dongle that fails to connect her at home, and not me either. I have no connection at home so I do car park cruising for wireless hotspots which tends to limit my time on the internet. So I stick to necessary work and haven’t had time for what feels like playing.
I now have internet access at the office but then I am supposed to be working and not succumbing to the tempting distraction of online socialising. So I am not a frequent Facebook user.
So when a friend (with broadband at home) saw I had updated my status, she naturally assumed that if I was showing up on Facebook I was out of the country and sent a message to see where I was. A flurry of communication ensued and somehow we agreed to meet face to face at the newly opened Bridge Bistro at the Groombridge Spar.
The restaurant is spread over perhaps half the length of the expansive new supermarket. Tables are laid out on a open verandah — with a fine view of the car park. Which was full. As the supermarket is newly opened, lots of people are trying out a new shopping experience. The bistro was busy with a diverse crowd trying out the food.
Things are still very much settling. Service was friendly but erratic. Our drinks order was taken by an enthusiastic waiter who asked if we wanted ice and lemon with our soda waters. Yes. Only to be overridden a few minutes later by the head waiter explaining that there were no soda waters nor cocktails yet. Perhaps the lack of a menu affected the staff too. We were told a printed menu would be available by the end of the week, but in the meantime were offered verbally — a bistro burger, a beef wrap or chicken fajita.
There is also a substantial salad buffet including cold meats, beans, cheeses and breads as well as a wide variety of raw and cooked vegetable combinations. (US$5,99) or (US$9,99)
We weren’t ready to order straightaway and were then left alone for too long until another supervisor noticed, apologised again for lack of printed menu and hunted down another waiter to serve us.
My friend chose the fajita — spicy chicken pieces in a wrap, served with sour cream and salsa. Very tasty, but served cold and would have been much nicer sizzling. US$8 felt a little steep. I opted for the help yourself mushroom soup (US$4,99) from the buffet salad table. It was good, made fresh with real mushrooms and served with a good sprinkle of crunchy herbs.
I am not sure that a restaurant in a supermarket is my first choice for eating out, but next time will check out the shopping and see if I can find a friend to combine the two in another form of social networking.
