"Ocean and seaside" is the theme for challenge#9 in the Sylvanian Families Collectors Community.
One of my entries for last year´s challenges was seaside-related.I made a beach bar and swimsuits for some of my sylvanians to enjoy a lovely day at the seashore.
In case this is the first time you visit my blog and you´re curious to see how they spent a summer day at the beach you can click here .
When I read the prompt for this fortnight´s challenge, the idea of some villagers running a coastal restaurant was just right for me!
The reason is that I bought the Sylvanian "Seaside Restaurant" more than three years ago and, believe or not, I hadn´t set it up yet! I remembered I just opened it once to use some of the seafood items for the Chantillies´ fishmongers and two of the lounge chairs for Bluebell Cottage.
The stickers were still in their bags so I couldn´t think of a better occasion to open a new restaurant for my sylvanians,in particular,for The Neptunes, The Sea Otter family.
When I got this family in 2015, I knew straight away I wanted them to run a seaside restaurant so a few months later this restaurant was part of my collection.
I hope I haven´t bored you too much with this extended introduction.That said, let the story begin.
Staring at the ocean has always had a calming effect on Narrisa.
The soft cool breeze and the sound of the rhytmic lapping of waves upon the shore, made her feel energised and relaxed.
Looking at this picture would probably make you think Narrisa is spending her holiday at the seaside but she is actually at her work place.
The past few days have been particualrly busy for Narrisa as she has been putting the final touches before opening day.
She took care of even the smallest details in order to create the perfect atmosphere for her restaurant.
Soft cushions for the wicker-lounge chairs
Placemats made to order.
Even the kitchen utensils matched the decor of the restaurant.
And what do you think of this fish-shaped wine bottle?
As you can see Narrisa payed close attention to detail.
She has thought of everything to make her customers feel relaxed while enjoying a nice meal.If restaurant decor and atmosphere are import for Narrisa, food is her first priority.
For this reason ,she had put a lot of time and thought into the menu.
Seafood paella is her speciality. She learned how to cook it when she lived in Spain.
At last, after months of careful preparation, the big day has finally arrived.
Narrisa laid the tables with much care and put the reserved signs on both of them. As soon as the word got around that The Neptunes´were going to open a restaurant by the sea, some villagers were quick to make a reservation.
She was putting a menu on the front wall of the restaurant when Caspian, her husband, arrived from his fishing trip.
She was starting to get a bit impatient and worried so she felt quite relieved when she saw him safe and sound.
The restaurant was all set to open its doors.
Narrisa and Caspian were wondering where their older daughter Shelly was. She should have been there already to help them serve the tables.
"You´re just on time" We were about to open.
Shortly after, Robert and Teresa Seashore and Captain Horation and his wife Jane met at the restaurant door. They were the first ones to book a table.
Everthing on the menu is so tempting that it´s hard to decide what to choose.
Finally,Teresa and Jane decided to share a paella and a prawn and avocado salad. Horatio and Robert ordered grilled lobster and oysters
and a bottle of chilled white wine that paired wonderfuly with seafood.
The Golightly Family had also made a reservation for opening day.
"What would you recommend on the menu,Narrisa?"Fred asked.
"I´d go for today´s special: seafood paella and mussels in white wine and garlic.They´re really nice"
Tiffany asked her friend Shelly and she suggested the catch of the day: grilled sea bass served with grilled corn and onion.
"Mmm! These mussels are beyond delicious!" Don´t you think so Fred?" Holly asked her husband who totally agreed with her:
"The best I´ve ever had! Let´s dive into the paella.It looks absolutely tasty too"
Peter Babblebrook and his girlfriend Peace were spending the day at the beach.
The amazing smell of seafood dishes led them to the Neptune´s restaurant.
"Hi, Caspian! Any tables available? Peter asked.
"Sorry Peter but I´m afraid we´re full"
The Seadogs and the Seashores were already having dessert but Caspian didn´t want to rush his customers.
"It´s opening day and all the tables were booked in advance" Caspian explained.
"No problem! We´ll come any other day. We are planning to open the beach bar soon so we´ll be around. Say hello to Narrisa. She seems to be quite busy"
"Thank you, Peter! We´re very busy, indeed!
We´ll have to consider hiring someone else , at least at the weekends."
"We´ll make a reservation next time."Peter and Peace wished Caspian good luck with his new business and they said goodbye.
They had just stepped away when Caspian and Narrisa called their names.
Peter and Peace turned their heads and they were delighted to hear there was a table for them.
"The restaurant is crammed, as you have just seen, but there is a balcony area with amazing views upstairs. We intend to turn it into a dining area if the business keeps going well".Narrisa explained.
Peter and Peace were taken to a table at the top part of the restaurant. While they were waiting to be served, they admired the stunning ocean views from the balcony.
They enjoyed a lovely meal
and they even shared a mouth watering dessert.
I had a feeling this summer ,Peter and Peace will become regulars of the Neptune´s restaurant once they start running their beach bar again.
Fred and Holly complimented Narrisa and Caspian on how delicious everything was and promised to come back soon.
The tide was coming in and the children were standing on the pier.Little Gilly got all excited when she saw a small fish on the seashore.
When all the guests had left the restaurant, Caspian went to pick up Sandy, the youngest of the family, who was spending the day at a friend´s house.
Narrisa and Shelly cleared the tables and washed up.
When Caspian and Sandy arrived, the restaurant was clean and tidy.
Narrisa was happy to see her little daughter and she lifted her up when she ran into her arms.
Sandy told her mum she wanted to make a sandcastle.
"That´s a good idea, Sandy!" her older sister said and she added "Why don´t we all go to the beach?. I can play with Sandy while you lay down and relax. It´s been a hard day".
"You´re such a sweetheart, Shelly" Narrisa said to her daughter."That would be lovely"
So that´s what they did. Narrisa was looking forward to lying down and relaxing and Caspian really needed to have a nap.It had been a busy day and both of them were tired but very satisfied at the same time. Opening day ran smoothly and they received very positive feedback from their customers.What else could they ask for?
Shelly helped her little sister make a sandcastle but Sandy didn´t take long to knock it down.
After Caspian and Narrisa had rested for a while they went for a quiet and relaxing walk along the seashore.
Shelly kept making sandcastles for Sandy to knock down.
Some time later,they went back to their restaurant to have something to eat.
Afterwards, they went up to the balcony área to admire the spectacular view ot the sunset. It was a magical momento, the proff that a day can end beautifully. It was, without a doubt, the perfect ending to such a special day for the Neptune Family.
Hope you have enjoyed the opening of "The Seaside Restaurant". I really enjoyed the unboxing and setting up of this building.I wasn´t aware of all the details of this set and its accessories.Now,I like it even more than I thought.
Isn´t it lovely? What do you think?
Hugs! Thanks for reading!
