July 2017 showcase

As we enter July I'm pleased to present another showcase, where some of my fine neighbours take to the stage and show off their wonderful restaurants.

 Recent showcases

 30/04/17 April 2017
 14/02/17 Valentine's Day 2017
 25/12/16 Christmas 2016
 31/10/16 Halloween 2016
 27/08/16 August 2016
 02/07/16 July 2016

Sadly this particular edition only includes two players. The drip feed of updates over the last few months has undoubtedly taken its toll, with many players either dropping out of the game or scaling back their commitment significantly. I can't blame anyone for this, especially since some of the folks I'm referring to here have been brilliant neighbours down the years. As time passes people move on and unfortunately that has been observed in Restaurant Story.

But luckily I do have two splendid diners to bring you today, and both are showcase debutants which makes it extra exciting!

We start with Christie's, who has been a loyal neighbour of mine for a long time.

Christie's

There's a proper homely feel about proceedings, with different tones of brown bringing a warm and relaxed ambience to the place. An Indoor Zen Garden stands at the centre, providing a nice environment for the bots to eat their meal. Soothing Waterfalls, Lion Statues and the Herculaneum surround the garden, giving for a real complete design.

Over in the top corner the tranquil mood is epitomised by the Cocoa Time, which features a gentleman who has fallen asleep stroking his cat. The Puppy Heart on the floor alongside make for a great combination - you could quite easily mistake these two items for one decoration. The Red Couch and Bulb Vases match nicely with the Cocoa Time, and the Rose Seller is the ideal character to play the role of host given the range of flowers and plants in this corner.

There is some rowdiness to be had at Christie's as the Irish Band provide the in-house entertainment. They're a boisterous bunch, and are joined by the Violinist whose strings bring a little sophistication to their set.

Let's now zoom in on the outdoor area.

Outdoor area at Christie's

This strip of Christie's is packed with fun! First of all there's a swimming pool which has no shortage of smiling faces. The Water Slide is the key attraction, but there's also the Floaty Kid and Inner Tube - the latter better watch she doesn't drift into the Umbrella Fountain! The inclusion of some Rubber Ducky Floor tiles among the Waves is really clever, especially since the two merge together seamlessly.

There's another water feature to be found on the sand, where the Wave Pool Kids are enjoying every surge of water. However it looks like the Lifeguard may be concerned that they are having too good a time!

Perhaps the highlight of Christie's is next to this, where the Burger Station is in full flow. There are Burger Grills lined up where burgers are sizzling and the Hot Dog Vendor is offering tasters out front. The Tandem Bike riders have picked up the mouthwatering smells and are heading straight for the stall as quickly as they can, although it appears that My Fair Gran-Gran is going to get there first! The Patriot Dog is a cute inclusion as he looks up longingly at the Boardwalk Dog Station. Dogs do love dogs!

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For our second stop, we are headed to The Azath House, who may have only become a neighbour fairly recently, but has a showstopper of a restaurant.

The Azath House

There is so much content stuffed into this place, including the best part of 200 counters packed with food. And you'll be thankful for it after spending the day traipsing around the various sights at this location. For a start we have another pool, with the Inner Tube again chilling out. However unless the Lifeguard can intervene soon it does appear that the Tubers are about to make a splash off the Haunted Floorboard diving board!

Elsewhere there's lots of activity on the beach. Be it couples relaxing under the Beach Umbrellas, the Gelato Girl helping herself to condiments at the Sundae Station (hey it would melt otherwise anyway!) or some Bonfire Singing, there something to keep everyone occupied. I do feel a little sorry for the Life Coach who appears to be sweating profusely after playing the part of thrower for the Frisbee Dog all day - and the pooch still wants more!

The Volleyball is set on its own little area of the beach, all under a sparking centrepiece. The Spiral Fountain is an imposing decoration, and is flanked by Tropical Planters and a Crystal Tree. So many unique and rare items are used to build up this central attraction, and they really do make a heavy impression.

On the other side of the centrepiece, I think we should focus upon the tropical river.

Tropical river at The Azath House

The Water Fountain leads to a waterfall which has been exquisitely engineered, complete with Cloud Loveseats and Cloud Stools to imitate the foam which typically forms at the base. It really is a triumph and sets the tone for an epic journey downriver.

The Jungle Tour is the ideal mode of transport through the Tranquil Waters, where Flamingos may need to be slalomed around. But they are not the only wildlife in the area by any means. There are creatures lurking everywhere you look, including Pride Lion Cubs, a Toucan Tree and a Giraffe Pair. Add in some smartly chosen vegetation and you have a rich feast for the eyes. If only every safari tour could be as successful as this one when it comes to sighting animals!

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That does it for another showcase! It's unfortunate that this one was briefer than usual, but at least we did have two fantastic diners to dissect. A big thank you to Christie's and The Azath House for opening their doors and allowing me to give them the showcase treatment!