TGT Presents... The Team Take a Beach Break

I'm off on holiday today, with a two-week break on sunnier shores. This means that you're going to experience total silence here on the Restaurant Story Adventures Blog over the course of the next fortnight. But it's not all bad news...

Usually when I head on vacation I leave the staff at my diner working away as hard as ever. That's not really fair, so this year I've decided that Action Chef Lee, Gran-Gran and co are coming with me! And they've already flown out to Busy Beach...

Overview of Busy Beach

It's a rare case of my restaurant being left behind, with the entire space redeveloped as the seaside. But there's much more than just a stretch of sand and some glistening sea. Busy Beach lives up to its name - it's packed out with tourists, while there are a couple of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a lovely carnival on the pier.

Let's get closer in and see what all is going on at the beach:

On the beach at Busy Beach

You can tell this is a popular spot for holidaymakers! There is action everywhere you look, and so much variety too. You've got the serenity of a couple chilling out under Beach Umbrellas and a Deck Reader enjoying a good book with her Spring Picnic, and at the same time the exuberance of the Tubers and rowdiness of the kids doing some Bonfire Singing.

Indeed both of these sets of folks are overstepping the mark. The Train Conductor gets regular work at The Garlic Tree and can't help but whistle down the Tubers for running too fast across the sand. Meanwhile the Playful Parasol is giving the singers a telling off for allowing their Beach Bonfire to spread.

The Train Conductor is not the only regular at my place to pop up on Busy Beach. My Fair Gran-Gran looks to be in negotiations with Captain Phoebe about purchasing her ship and the Lounge Lizard is hanging around the Hut Bar - no surprise there!

But the most noticeable tourists here have to be the Mad Chemist and his Lab Assistant. They've closed down their operations in the basement of The Garlic Tree to join the rest of the team on this jolly, and seem to be analysing some drinks they've purchased at the Hut Bar.

This is all very good, but at some point everyone is going to get hungry. Luckily there's a cafe on the seafront which can see to that:

Cafe at Busy Beach

Paninis are the pick of the menu in this cafe, with the Panini Corner run really efficiently by a young aspiring couple. And Gran-Gran will be particularly pleased to eat here - the GranGran Logo on the wall indicates that Gran-Gran's own coffee recipe is served - profits are surely soaring as a result!

The Bagel Gal is capable of keeping all the customers happy on her own, yet the Swedish Server can't help but join in. She's supposed to be on leave like everyone else from The Garlic Tree, yet she's got an addiction to bringing the punters their feed. And in a similar vain the Crooner has been unable to put down his mic. He's giving it laldy in there - not sure his style suits a small cafe, but you can't stop him once he gets going!

If the Crooner does start getting on your nerves then I suggest trying out next door, where there's a pizza parlour on the go:

Pizza parlour and kitchen at Busy Beach

The Pizza Toss is the centrepiece of this restaurant, and it looks like the 50's Chef is in awe. he always uses a spatula when preparing his dough, so is amazed to find the head chef using his fair hands to throw the dough in the air. Hopefully he'll pick up a few tricks for when he returns home.

There are plenty of Italian Checkered tables in the pizza parlour, but if you're feeling extra lazy (and who doesn't when they're on holiday!) there's always the option to get a delivery. The Pizza Delivery Bike is used for this, although given the Leaning Tower of Pizza that is stacking up it appears they may be behind on the orders!

Now you'll see that linked to the Pizza Toss area is a kitchen section. It's a necessity, but with the staff from my diner on vacation, I couldn't have any of them working in here. So the Robot Chef and Valentine Robot have been hired. They do do work for The Garlic Tree occasionally, but since they're robots I'm sure they won't feel overworked or overheated. And look - the Robo Dog has made itself at home here. Not sure it will be very helpful, but it's good to see the Chemist and Cat didn't leave it all alone in the basement.

Let's get back outside and pay a visit to the carnival on the boardwalk:

Carnival on the boardwalk at Busy Beach

It's all fun and games here! The Ferris Wheel provides great views across Busy Beach, and for the optimum experience punters should take some snacks up there. The Cotton Candy Machine and Gumball Machine are options, but the Hot Dog Vendor's grub is the most popular. He's got a Boardwalk Dog Stand crammed with delicious food, as well a Kettle Corn Cart for those who want to eat more healthy (slightly!)

Once you've fuelled up, it's off to some of the carnival games. The Sledge Striker, Basket Ball Hoops and Alley Ball will get you in the zone, although your chances of success are not great at the Game Booth. That's because Bella Beekeeper has already walked away with half of the trinkets to be won. She looks lovely wearing all her prizes, and may just buy a balloon from the Clown to complete her look. And you'll have a long wait to get a turn at the Fortune Teller Machine since the Cowboy Greeter is trying to chat up the mind-reading head!

But the ultimate challenge is at the Skill Shot Derby. 'Roll up, roll up!' shouts Manager Phoebe! She's usually barking out orders in The Garlic Tree kitchen, but is putting her headset to a different use here, as she both drums up support for the derby and commentates on the Cat Show simultaneously.

She's not the only familiar face in the vicinity - the Busboy is standing next to the water and it looks like he's about to do the dishes! Some things never change!

Also on the water edge is the Pier Fishing. Plenty of anglers are busy up there, although given how populated the sea is, I don't think there'll be many fish around...

Out at sea at Busy Beach

Down At The Dock there's lots of boats can be hired, and it appears the Little Love Boat and Jungle Tour are out in the deep blue at the moment. They are however dwarfed by the Riverboat Ride. A huge cruise liner, this ship rules the sea with nothing getting in its way. However it's not the fastest thing in the water - that accolade goes to the Loch Ness Decor (on her own holidays!) who glides through the ocean at lightning speed.

Nessie is not the only animal chilling out in the sea. There's a couple of Flamingos seem to be sunning themselves, and a large purple octopus is protecting the Pirate Treasure Chest. But the beautiful being in the Mermaid Reef has her eyes on those glittery coins, so the octopus better watch out!

Next to the reef is a tied island, where the Fire Dancers raise the temperature yet further. Their moves are a real draw, but adding in the beat of the Island Drummer's drum and the Mexican Dancer's twirls gives a truly top drawer source of entertainment. Indeed they seem to be pulling in some interest, with the Violinist jamming with her strings. And Action Chef Lee is doing a jig as he heads past the Tropical Torches and across to the fun. It's great to see Lee letting his hair down!

It certainly looks like all of The Garlic Tree's team are enjoying their break at Busy Beach. Now I'm going to enjoy mine!

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I hadn't done a beach theme yet this summer, so thought my vacation would be a good time to go all out. Having done such themes repeatedly over the years I knew I had plenty of decorations to make use of, and so it proved. Even so I still chose to indulge in a few box openings, largely due to some welcome sales. I've made the most of the 50% off sales on each of the Island Chest, Bonfire Crate and Carnival Box over the last two months.

The results were mixed. The Island Chest didn't give me anything particularly impressive, but then the Bonfire Crate came up trumps. The Frisbee Dog, Bonfire Singing and Beach Umbrellas were my three gains from there, and I was delighted with each of them.

Then came the Carnival Box. I'd waited a very long time for a discount on this particular crate, and so went a bit mad. Eleven openings and 131 gems later, I had nine fourth prizes including three Clowns and three Fortune Teller Machines. Ouch! But despite missing out on the Super Drop first prize I did get the Skill Shot Derby which is a really cool piece. All in all I'm reasonably happy.

Skill Shot Derby from Carnival Box

So here is where I sign off. Unless exceptional circumstances arise (the game kicks the bucket or Restaurant Story 3 gets released!) you won't hear from me again until we get into October. Gracias y adiós!