The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #6

We're into April and that means that the wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher is just a matter of weeks away! They'll be taking their vows at The Garlic Tree on the 21st, and you are all invited to the ceremony and reception!

This week we're looking back to Thanksgiving, when our famous couple wanted to make sure they had the best time possible...

Turkey farm - Thanksgiving 2017

Yep, a trip to the turkey farm to handpick the unlucky bird! The Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher spent a long time perusing the Rustic Turkeys before the Lake Dog and Frisbee Dog chose for them. Well, it was more a case of a turkey willingly leaving the Harvest Haystacks behind.

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #5

The Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher are just a few weeks away from tying the knot, and our look back at some their best bits to date continues with last Halloween.

Fortunately there was nothing particularly petrifying about our favourite couple's activity at Halloween, with the pair visiting a Fortune Teller.

Fortune telling - Halloween 2017

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #4

We're inching ever closer to the big day for the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher, and today we're looking back at a rather fun trip they had to a hard to find place.

On 1st September 2017 there were Harry Potter fans across the lands rejoicing at Epilogue Day - the day upon which the final words of the book series were set. And Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher got in on the fun with a visit to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

Platform Nine and Three Quarters - September 2017

There they saw the Hogwarts Express (the Locomotive) letting off steam as the Train Conductor whistled on its way. One or two students including the Rose Seller and Jock were running rather late, but still had time to make their final goodbyes ahead of the long journey north.

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #3

The countdown continues to the wedding of the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher, with just seven weeks before they tie the knot!

This week we're heading back to last August when The Garlic Tree celebrated its fifth anniversary. It was a party to end all parties, with so many familiar faces from my restaurant through the years showing up to enjoy a drink and a dance. And once everyone was as merry as could be there was a rather large conga wound its way around the dancefloor.

Fifth anniversary party conga - August 2017

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #2

Last weekend I premiered a new series of posts centred on the build-up to the wedding of the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher. With their big day one week closer, it's time to share another fine memory from their adventures this past year.

And this time we are returning to the summer, when our favourite couple went into business together.

Summer market stall - summer 2017

The outdoor area of my restaurant was headlined by Action Chef Lee and his BBQ Island, but a corner was reserved for Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher who had set up a Jam Stand having slaved over a pan of fruit for ages the night before. Yes, fresh jam and marmalade too! All very tasty and locally made!

But the Frisbee Dog and Lake Dog felt they could top this and so decided to cobble together a Produce Stand. Why buy a jar of jam when you can make your own?! Apples, oranges, lemons and much more to create your own unique and groovy jam or for preparing a delicious tart. Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher did well, but on this occasion I think the two pooches did better!

Next: Memory #3 - Fifth Anniversary party

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #1

If you read my post last weekend providing a tour of my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, you'll be well aware of the big news. But if you haven't a quick recap - two mainstays of my place, the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher, are getting married! Mr Fisher popped the question under the Eiffel Tower, a year after the couple first met.

The wedding is pencilled in for Saturday 21st April, and preparations are already underway. Invites will be going out in the near future, but over the next few weeks I'll be recalling memories of this power couple as we countdown to their big day.

And where better to start than with their initial meeting?

Love at first sight - Valentine's Day 2017

Valentine's Day at The Garlic Tree

Valentine's Day is this coming Wednesday, so hopefully you've got something romantic lined up for your loved one. If not you could always swing by my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, where there's that glorious hint of love in the air.

When you first arrive there's an opportunity to take a Gondola Ride.

Gondola lake at The Garlic Tree

Upon an intimate lake, you'll be able to relax and unwind with your other half while the gondolier steers around Lotus Flowers and Turtle Stacks. There are also Flamingos in situ, with the Sea Trainer ensuring that they get their feed. The Kissing Swans is a fitting accompaniment to the gondola lake, with two swans sharing an affectionate moment.

Winter fun at The Garlic Tree

It may be bitterly cold, but that doesn't mean we can't have some winter fun, right?! At my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, there's plenty of frosty merriment, largely thanks to the Chill Barista.

Outdoor refreshments at The Garlic Tree

Courtesy of this moustached chap you can take in the wintry surroundings whilst staying warm with a hot cup of coffee. You might even spot an Igloo inhabited by polar bears or Jack Frost bringing the snowmen to life! And then once you get hungry trudge on over to the Frosty Feast and Ice Bar. Here there are all manner of treats just waiting to be consumed, and the social scene is great.

Christmas fun at The Garlic Tree

Christmas decorations up? All the shopping done? Presents wrapped? Then you're ready to come round to my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, for a hot drink and a treat to eat! My staff are working through the festive period in order to ensure the perfect Christmas experience for everyone who chooses to spend some of their holiday season indulging at my place.

Among those who have been staying during these cold times are the Ice Skating Girl and Santa's Helpers. Their Christmas won't be complete without the missing member of the family...

Snowy train station and foyer at The Garlic Tree

And there he is! The Train Conductor has whistled in the last Locomotive on Christmas Eve, and off steps the Snow Suit, clearly prepared for the blast of cold winter air when stepping off the carriage. But his loved ones will soon heat him up, and a Taxi Cab is waiting to take them home just in time to hear the bells of Christmas. It's a classic Christmas scene which truly warms the cockles.

Thanksgiving fun at The Garlic Tree

What with Black Friday being strung out as well as a release of new goals and a bout of flu, only now have I got round to preparing a tour of The Garlic Tree at Thanksgiving. And with Christmas set to sprinkle its magic over my place this weekend I better get this exhibition done!

Upon entering my restaurant you'll be met with a bustling farmer's market:

Farmer's market at The Garlic Tree

This year's harvest has certainly been a good one, with a vast range of goods and chattels on display. Will you fill a bag at Bell Beekeeper's Produce Stand? Maybe pick a tasty marmalade from the Jam Stand? Or just be a cheapskate and dive into the Yard Sale before joining the Apple Festival?!

Halloween fun at The Garlic Tree

It's Halloween weekend and everywhere people are dressing up and getting into the spirit of the occasion. And the same can be said at my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, where the staff have been hard at work making the customer experience as creepy as could be.

It all starts with the shaking fist of the Trick or Treat Ghost.

Haunted House and pumpkin patch at The Garlic Tree

TGT Presents... Nineteen Years Later

At 11 o'clock yesterday morning hundreds of Muggles were congregated at King's Cross Station in London. Why? Because yesterday was the day of the Epilogue - going by the series' timeline, the final chapter of the Harry Potter story took place on 1st September 2017. It's the only event in the bestselling books to take place in the future, and was a moment that so many fans around the world celebrated as only Potter fans could.

To mark this grand occasion, I've cast a spell over my restaurant, The Garlic Tree. The scores of familiar faces who are regular visitors to my place have risen to the challenge and have done a great job of getting themselves into character. So let's start at King's Cross, where there's plenty of hustle and bustle at Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

Platform Nine and Three Quarters at The Garlic Tree

The Garlic Tree Turns Five

It's only a week ago that I was celebrating one momentous milestone with the blog reaching one million page views, and now I have another - it was five years ago this past Thursday that my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, opened its doors for the first time.

It's been quite a journey since I first downloaded and opened Restaurant Story. I can still remember visiting Stormie's Store for the first time back when it was a gigantic trove of rare decor and having no idea what I was doing when it came to tipping and the like. Five years on I've built an empire and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many terrific players who have gone on to become fantastic neighbours.

With this being such a massive occasion I couldn't let it pass by without some razzmatazz. So let's take a trip to my place, starting with the front garden which has been decked out with fun and games.

Annual revamp at The Garlic Tree

It has become something of an annual event, as The Garlic Tree is stripped down and reassembled for another 12 months. Back in June 2016 I welcomed in a new layout in the grand manner with the finale to The Chemist, the Cat and the Time Machine adventure, following a 10 week odyssey.

I can't offer anything as impressive this time around, but I have done my best to take my restaurant to the next level. So here is the latest carnation of The Garlic Tree, following an expansion to 26x29:

The Garlic Tree after expansion and refurbishment

Valentine's Day makeover at The Garlic Tree

Valentine's Day is this coming Tuesday, and so Cupid will be working overtime as unsuspecting folks learn of a secret admirer and couples indulge in a romantic evening. The truth of it is that Valentines is an excellent commercial opportunity, and The Garlic Tree is going all out to capture this significant market.

My restaurant has had a thorough makeover ahead of Valentine's Day, starting with the foyer.

Foyer at The Garlic Tree

Pink is the colour of the day, with the Light Bar wallpaper illuminated by Neon Hearts and Beads. While waiting for your table there's plenty to do, including having a glass of bubbly from the Date Night Drinks ice bucket while relaxing on the Pink Couch and watching the Flamenco Dancers go through their most risqué routines. Or if you'd rather you could just feed the Love Pug something from the Ice Cream Dream stand - he looks like he could do with some love!

Christmas makeover at The Garlic Tree

It's Christmas Eve, and that means restaurants all over the community are preparing a special dinner which is sure to make the customers very happy. My diner, The Garlic Tree, is no exception, with the fuse lit on the party several weeks ago. The staff are still hanging on in there though, and I'd like to offer a tour of the festive shenanigans going down at TGT this Christmas.

When we first enter the restaurant we're greeted by a pair of towering Nutcracker guards and a right merry tune from the Carolers.

Foyer at The Garlic Tree

Halloween makeover at The Garlic Tree

It;s Halloween weekend and around the Restaurant Story community there are interiors ravaged by thick spider webs and exteriors infested with rotting pumpkins. My diner, The Garlic Tree, is no different. However there's more to worry about at my place than just a few crumbling graves...

Usually these tours of my place start in the foyer and work their way around serenely, but on this occasion we have been asked by the staff to congregate in the drawing room.

Drawing room at The Garlic Tree

The plan was for Action Chef Lee and Manager Phoebe to spend a quality evening hosting a dinner party with a murder mystery theme. The decor suggests a fancy night was in the works, with the Steampunk Couch, Steampunk Globe and Bronze Telescope all oozing class.

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

The Garlic Tree celebrates the Olympics

The second week of the Rio 2016 Olympics are ongoing and my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, is putting forward its bid to host a future Games. We're holding something of a test event at the moment, with various sports providing some excellent viewing for unsuspecting diners.

At the core of it all is of course the Olympic Cauldron, which is housed in the four-pillar centrepiece of the main eating area.

Olympic cauldron in main section of The Garlic Tree

The Chemist, the Cat and the Time Machine: The Finale

The Mad Chemist and his Lab Assistant have been touring time for more than two months. Having spent even longer constructing a Time Machine in the basement of The Garlic Tree restaurant, they've gone on to experience so many different climates and cultures, from the dinosaurs and the Ice Age through to the Wild West and the first modern Olympics.

Their original aim was to search for new and exciting recipes they could bring back home to expand The Garlic Tree's menu. They've certainly achieved that, with a wide range of delicacies now carried with them through the passages of time. But they've also made lots of friends along the way, starting with the Train Conductor at the dawn of time itself and ending with the Jock in the Summer of Love. They've all joined the crew and helped ensure the Chemist and Cat didn't get homesick.

 The Chemist, the Cat and the Time Machine

 30/05/16 Stop #10 - Restaurant in the Clouds
 23/05/16 Stop #9 - Summer of Love
 16/05/16 Stop #8 - Olympics
 09/05/16 Stop #7 - Wild West
 02/05/16 Stop #6 - Middle Ages

But after the Chemist overjudged the return home and sent the team careering into the future, there's a real sense of trepidation. The group are out of fuel, and worse still appear to have instigated a strange storm at the Restaurant in the Clouds. As much as the diner in the skies is a special place, it's not home.