I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Side Dishes
4th Course – Foreign and Familiar
Takes place slightly after the last chapter, a look into Harry's daily life in New York City and La Brassiere Americaine.
"Harry, question."
"Yes Chef?" Harry looked up from the sauce he was reducing.
"You worked at your country's Gringotts?" Callie asked.
"That's right," Harry said proudly. "Not my first job, but I started there a week after my first job. Worked in their main kitchen and I worked there on occasional holidays and during the summers every year since." He sighed wistfully. "This is my first summer not working there in four years."
"Wow, must have been a good place for you to look and sound like that," Ramirez remarked.
"I think so," Harry said stoutly. "My first professional kitchen and I learned so much there. I'm really close to the Crew there and the Head Chef and his family."
"What's it like working with the goblins?" Callie asked.
"Really intimidating at first," he said honestly. "They were a little distrusting of me. They were still really suspicious of humans at the time. Well, I guess they still are but they like me."
"What changed their minds if you don't mind me asking," Hanks asked.
"They really appreciate hard work and I worked as hard as I could every day," Harry said. "I also didn't treat them like most people did at the time. I'm glad to say things are much better between them and magicals in general now though."
"Huh so work and be respectful, imagine that," Ramirez said.
"So you learned a lot of goblin cooking? What's that like?" Andres asked, walking over from the pastry station.
"Really good," Harry said enthusiastically. "They have underground versions of ingredients and use those obviously, but you can use other kinds of ingredients. A lot of their things have strong flavors so you use spices and chilis to round things out."
"Feel like making some for us for family meal?" Anthony asked as he walked up from the cellar, trays of meat floating behind him.
"I'd be happy to," Harry smiled.
"Take a look at the pantry and take what you need what we aren't actively using right now. Make it as authentic as possible," Anthony said. "If you need something vital and we don't have it, you can run to the corner supply store and grab some things."
"Hey if you go, can you grab me a pack of Cindertwigs?" Hanks asked.
"I said vital," Anthony frowned.
"They're vital," Hanks protested before wincing.
Andres glared at him, raising her hand again. "Harry's not getting smokes for you."
"It was just a question!" Hanks protested, shying away from her.
Harry poked around the pantry and the walk-ins. He had a good idea of the inventory already, since he and Anthony had just done the inventory the day before. The majority of what he needed was there and available but he did run to the supply store and returned with a large bag of small red chili peppers and some other spices. He also surreptitiously passed Hanks a small pack of Cindertwigs cigarettes that Hanks had been happy to get and immediately paid him back.
Harry got to work, smiling to himself to cook something familiar. It had been a little time since he last cooked this food so it was like a bit of home for him. In between their other duties, the others looked on with interest. Even Adam watched here and there.
"Alright, all done," Harry said. The others clustered around his station as he showed them the food. "We've got a crab chowder in the style of theirs, mushroom and chickpea fritters, mushroom salad, goblin pickles, and braised chicken with potatoes and other root vegetables."
"Oh yeah, not shy on the flavor or the heat," Callie said, eating appreciatively.
"Tastes good to me," Andres said, munching on a fritter she dipped into the chowder. "That's a good chowder."
"Wow, these pickles are nice for a quick pickle," Hanks said. "Fresh but still good flavor. Do you let these sit for a while?"
"You can! This is just the quick one obviously," Harry said.
"Huh, this is actually really similar to a braise we do," Adam said as he ate the chicken.
"It really is, and I like the flavors here," Anthony admired.
"They have a kind of chicken that's a lot tougher and so you have to cook it low and slow," Harry said, "but it tastes so good."
"Might need to try some of this," Anthony said, thinking.
"It'd be more authentic if we had teagale or crakes, but I don't know where to get them here," Harry said.
"Crakes, the spider-crab things?" Callie asked, eyes wide.
"Oh yeah, they're good! If you aren't affected by their poison that is," Harry said.
"Are you joking?" Hanks asked. He blanched when Harry shook his head.
"It's considered poisonous to a small percentage of people," Harry explained. "And a few are deathly allergic to the teagale too. Which is a tea leaf brewed with an ale. Which also is an antidote to the crake toxin but like I said, you can be allergic to that instead. Or both I think."
"Please tell me they told you this before you ate and drank either," Leslie frowned.
"Uh, no, but Amy's a medic so I was in good hands if I had a reaction to either," Harry said easily.
"You're tougher than you look," Ramirez laughed.
-0-
"Hey Harry, finish your current job and then change to your streets," Anthony said the next day.
"Yes Chef." Harry finished chopping the last batch of vegetables and then changed out of his chef uniform. He followed Anthony who had done the same. "Where are we going?"
"Gringotts," Anthony said as they walked onto the street and joined the crowd. "I'm doing my deposit and figured we might be able to ask them how to get some goblin ingredients." He looked at Harry. "Don't be too surprised if they don't tell us though."
"How are relations between the magicals and goblins here?" Harry asked.
"Okay for the most part. I think it's pretty similar to what it is in Britain. Some of either side really don't like the other side, some have better relations. I'd say cordial or so. Nothing I'd call too friendly. Both sides know it's better to work together than not but not everyone likes it."
"Sounds like it," Harry said, nodding understandably.
"I will say a lot of them here in New York have taken up the usual New York attitude so they're a bit more direct and blunt than others I've visited from around the country or overseas," Anthony said.
"Do you know if they have an underground city beneath this city too?"
"I think so? I know they have a borough style set of streets in the city actually, like Little Italy and Chinatown. Humans don't go there unless invited of course. I do know they have a big network of interconnected cities all over the United States though and one of their biggest is in the Appalachians. It's a big mountain range that stretches down the East Coast."
Harry's eyes sparkled at the thought. "Must be beautiful. I love Thalga. That's the biggest goblin city in the United Kingdom, by the Undersea."
"You've been there?" Anthony gasped. "Actually, I don't know why I'm surprised. It's obvious you think highly of them and they of you." He grinned at Harry's big smile and nod. "What's it like?"
Harry happily described the goblin city and the Undersea to an interested Anthony as they walked. They made their way through the busy district and eventually came to Gringotts New York. The building was grand looking, tall and solid. While it lacked the marble pillars that decorated the outside of Gringotts London, it had its own beauty that matched the surrounding architecture but was still subtly different. The stone that made up the building was smooth and well fitted, barely showing any seams unless you knew what to look for.
The interior was even more so. It was well lit and the polished marble floors shone. Water seemed to be the defining decorating feature, but it was not exposed like in fountains. Instead, clear glass structures were filled with it and bubbles and colors moved through them, adding to the appearance. A long line of clerks were against the back wall as well as imposing iron doors. People of all sorts walked back and forth or sat waiting in plush chairs.
The employees were dressed professionally, much like their London counterparts. The details were a little different with the goblins here wearing more modern cuts of suits and clothing. Lines moved at a swift pace and guards stood at fixed intervals, eyes moving as they inspected everything and everyone.
Anthony checked in with the front desk who directed people to specific lines or waiting areas. The goblin there recognized Anthony, speaking cordially, and gave Harry a curious glance but said nothing. They directed the pair to a line at the end and they waited for their turn to be helped.
"Ah, Chef Banks," the goblin behind the desk said when it was Anthony's turn. "Good to see you. How is business?"
"Good to see you too Jet," Anthony replied. "Doing well. As you'll see." He handed the goblin a heavy leather wallet with a metal latch.
Jet poured the contents into a pan on his desk and the coins rattled and arranged themselves into neat rows based on their value. He counted them swiftly and double-checked them. "Yes, I see. That is good." He wrote out the numbers and made a copy of the deposit slip and gave one to Anthony and put the coins away carefully before handing the wallet back. "Do you need anything else?"
"Yeah, random question, is there a place to buy goblin ingredients like crake and teagale and other things?" Anthony asked. He blinked as his question drew the attention of the other goblins nearby and Jet looked up at him with narrowed black eyes.
"Yes," Jet said shortly. "Not for humans, though, not without good reason. I do not think you would know how to use them, much less recognize them."
"I might not," Anthony said, unperturbed by the slight. "Harry here would though."
Jet looked at Harry and a slim eyebrow rose. "You? You know how to cook goblin food?"
"Yes Sir," Harry said politely and confidently, making the other goblins look even more surprised.
"How?" Jet asked, frowning a little.
Before Harry could reply, a happy shout could be heard, cutting through the air. "Lad?! That you?!"
"Gates!" Harry smiled as Gates came walking over. "It's so good to see you!"
"C'mere!" Gates hugged Harry hard, shocking everyone. "It's great to see you, Lad! We've missed you something fierce back home, don't mind saying but we're also glad you're out and about and learning. I was actually going to ask Dee and Diglin if they knew where you were while you were here and was going to try and see you before I left. I'm in town for a couple days."
"Anyone else from your team?" Harry asked, eyes bright and smile wide.
"Pike and Quiver are," Gates nodded. "They'll be happy to see you too. Where're you at?"
"Chef Banks' restaurant," Harry said. "Chef, this is Gates, the best Warder and Security Consultant at Gringotts Britain. Gates, this is Chef Anthony Banks. He's been teaching me so much and his restaurant is really good."
"Good to meet you," Gates said, shaking Anthony's hand. "You treating the Lad okay?"
"He's a very good worker and I like to think so," Anthony said, smiling back and wincing a little at Gates' grip.
"Good! Is it close? We're coming right after we finish up here and eating there until we leave." Gates smiled at Harry. "Been missing your cooking."
"So the boy does know how to cook goblin food?" Jet asked, still looking shocked.
"Harry's one of the best cooks I know and have had the pleasure of eating his cooking for years now," Gates said, tucking his thumbs into his harness. "Cooks goblin food better than some goblins I've met, more than some even. Lad's food has heart to it."
"I'd say you're exaggerating but you only do that when you're asked for a cost estimate from people you don't like," Harry said and he and Gates laughed together.
"Don't you forget it," Gates smiled. "Where's the restaurant?" He wrote down the directions. "Right, we'll be there tonight. I'm excited and so will Pike and Quiver. See you later!"
"I'm sorry," Harry apologized as he and Anthony left. "Should I have checked to see if we have space tonight?"
"We'll make it if we don't, I doubt it'll be a problem," Anthony said. "I'm happy to accommodate friends of yours, within reason of course." He frowned thoughtfully. "We never did get an answer about the goblin ingredients though."
"We can ask Gates later, he'll tell me," Harry said. "Worst comes to worst, we might be able to see if they'll ship anything from Britain."
"I can ask Robert too. I actually want to start using ironnuts more and you can teach us how to use them. I really liked them during your finale meal," Anthony said, smiling at Harry's happy look. They returned to the restaurant and got back to work, getting ready for the evening dinner service.
"Chef, question," Leslie said, walking into the kitchen. "Last minute reservation ask, for seven."
"Do we have the space for it?" Anthony asked.
"We do if we bridge between turnovers," Leslie said.
"Then that's fine, we'll just have to work a little harder" he said, grinning as the crew groaned with mock weariness. "Oh, and there'll be a three-top coming in, Harry's friends. We'll fit them in where and when we can."
Leslie hesitated a little. "We might need to open up the side room for it, however. For the reservation, I mean."
"Really? Why?" Anthony asked. "Are they special?"
"You might say that," Leslie said seriously, making the others look at her. "They will be from Gringotts."
"Gringotts? Goblins?" Adam asked, eyes round. "Really?"
"Have we ever had goblin customers before?" Hanks asked.
"Not in house," Anthony said, sounding surprised. "Actually, the three-top are goblins too. Visitors from Britain. We ran into them at the bank."
"They might be together," Harry said.
"Let's put our best foot forward when they come," Anthony said. "Lezz, come get Harry when they arrive. Might need him to put them at ease."
"Gates, Pike, and Quiver will be perfectly fine, they're really nice," Harry said. "I don't know who the others will be though."
"Yes Chef," Leslie nodded. "I will come fetch you when they arrive then, Harry."
"This will be interesting," Andres said and the rest of the crew nodded.
-0-
It was a little difficult to tell who was more slightly uncomfortable, the patrons already there or the ones who had just arrived. The buzz of conversation and merriment faded ever so slightly when the party of seven goblins appeared at the restaurant. They were dressed neatly, a few of them more so than others, and four of them looked more uncomfortable while three of them only looked like first-time visitors to a new place. The customers already there looked at them with open astonishment and wonder but none said anything out loud.
"Hello and welcome to La Brasserie Americaine," Leslie said, smiling pleasantly at the party. "Party of seven from Gringotts, yes?"
"That's us," Gates said comfortably. "Thanks for working us in."
"It is our pleasure," Leslie said. "You are friends with Harry?"
"We are," Gates said proudly and Pike and Quiver nodded eagerly.
Leslie's smile was warm. "He has been a welcome addition to the kitchen staff and we are pleased that you are here. Please, follow me." She led them to the side room that was typically reserved for private meals and occasions. She gave them menus as they sat and left them, promising to return shortly.
"I feel really out of place," one of the goblins muttered.
"The Lad'll take care of us," Gates said. "And don't none of you give him any trouble. He's a good kid and an excellent cook. Oh and he knows Gobbledegook too."
"Does he really?" The one wearing the neatest clothes looked impressed as he opened the menu. He also had a symbol on his jacket, done with platinum thread and metal.
"He's gotten good at speaking it too," Pike said. "Bit of an accent, but not bad. Can understand him better than some that grew up speaking it."
"Do relax Jet," the goblin said, looking at one of the others. "I'm surprised you have never eaten here, considering you handle the account for the establishment."
"Not all of the bankers and clerks have partaken in what their clients do," Jet said, frowning. "Aron hasn't."
"I'm not going to eat wood," Aron frowned back. "Or anything a lumber company produces. Or the stone masons. Or the chemical solvent company."
"Why not, your sense of taste can't be that much higher," the first goblin teased, making the others snicker.
"More than you Sheller," Aron retorted, smoothing out his nicer clothing and looking askance at Sheller's clothes.
"They came in their harnesses," Sheller protested, pointing at Gates and his team.
"Yeah but these are our formal ones," Quiver smiled. She brightened as someone walked into the room. "Harry!"
"Hi Quiver!" Harry hugged her and Pike and Gates once more before smiling openly at the other four. "Hello Mr. Jet," he said warmly. "Good to see you again."
"Hello," Jet replied, looking faintly impressed that Harry remembered him.
"We're starving," Pike said eagerly. "Food's just not the same without you at Main One. I swear, the chowder the other day was bitter. Flynt must have had a hand in it."
"Be nice to your cousin," Harry laughed.
"You know what he's like, that's why I'm not!" Pike said and he and Gates, Quiver, and Harry laughed merrily.
"Harry, meet Aron, Sheller, and Etcher," Gates said, pointing out the other goblins. "You've met Jet already. Jet's a banker as you know. Same as Aron. Sheller is a warder like us."
"Nice to meet you all," Harry said warmly. "I hope Gates treats you with a little more respect."
Etcher looked at Harry. "What makes you say that?" he asked mildly.
"You're the Head of the Warders and Security, right?" Harry asked.
Etcher looked more impressed. "Ah, I am. Recognized the symbol?"
"Yes Sir," Harry nodded.
"I respect our Head just fine," Gates sniffed.
"No you don't," Pike, Quiver, and Harry said and they laughed, joined in by Gates.
"Okay, I don't. He thinks he knows more than me and he doesn't," Gates said. "Anyways, what's good here, Lad?"
"Everything I've had here is great," Harry said enthusiastically. "Which by now is pretty much everything. Our special is a crab chowder that I made for family meal and Chef liked it."
"Our way?" Pike asked eagerly.
"Is there another?" Harry asked and Pike cheered happily. "The steaks here are really good. And the other special is a pork loin that's really nice. It's slow cooked with mustard, garlic, and shallots. You'll want a big plate of the frites though, no matter what you get. They have a person here whose sole job is frying them and he's incredible at it. Best frites you'll have anywhere." He took their orders and left to return to the kitchen.
"I did not believe you at first," Etcher said honestly, looking at Gates. "But I do now. He is very polite yet warm."
"Lad's the best human to come through Gringotts London," Gates said plainly. "He's a good person. Full stop."
"You'll understand when you eat his cooking," Quiver said. "It's so good."
"The rest of the staff is polite and professional," Sheller said as Leslie came with their drinks.
"Chef Banks is rather renowned for his skills and his restaurant is quite popular," Jet said.
The appetizers came. A large platter of crisp and steaming frites sat in the middle with aioli and a homemade ketchup served alongside. Everyone had ordered a bowl of the crab chowder and there was a large platter of roasted beef bone marrow that was served with slices of toast to spread the marrow upon.
"That's the stuff," Gates sighed happily at his first sip of the deep and rich crab chowder.
"This tastes like crake chowder!" Aron gasped. "Only without the crake!"
"Harry learned it from Chef Diglin," Pike said, eating happily and hungrily. "And he makes it really well."
"So he would make this with crake given the chance?" Etcher asked with interest.
"Absolutely," Quiver nodded. "He's one of the best."
"My goodness," Jet said, munching on frites and a slice of toast with the marrow spread upon it. "This is very good."
"We've been sleeping on this place," Sheller said slowly as he ate swiftly.
"Too bad they do not have any teagale," Etcher said sadly. "This chowder really deserves to have some with it."
"Perhaps that is why Chef Banks asked me for ingredients earlier," Jet said and he and the other goblins from New York looked at each other.
"Listen, you take the chance and if Lad teaches them how to do it here, you won't regret it," Gates said seriously. "Can't say they'll make it like him of course. But he'll teach them proper like how he learned how to make it. Those ingredients wouldn't be wasted here."
The goblins looked at their dishes with appreciation as they came out. The beef steaks were juicy, fragrant with butter. The pork had been cooked slowly in a cast iron dish with mustard and garlic and shallots, with the juices turned into a peppery sauce. Sheller had gotten a fish that had been slow roasted in parchment paper and the fish was flakey and delicious. More frites came with everything as well as a plate of pickles and slices of sourdough bread, and they ate hungrily without stinting themselves.
"How is everything?" Anthony asked, making an appearance.
"Very good, thank you," Etcher said.
"About time you visited," Anthony smiled at Jet.
"I confess, I had no reason to before," Jet said honestly. "But I think I will be coming more often now." He frowned at Anthony. "I did not know you had goblin style food here. That chowder was something we are familiar with."
"And the pickles," Aron said, pointing at the dish of pickles that had come out with their main dishes.
"Those are new," Anthony said without reservation. "Harry made them for us today and we decided to take a chance and put them as specials and I'm glad we did. They're good and been popular all night."
"Told you he's good," Gates said smugly to his fellow goblins.
"He really is," Anthony nodded. "I'm glad he's here."
Jet looked at Etcher who nodded. "If you wish to have some goblin ingredients, perhaps a deal can be made," Etcher said to Anthony.
"I'd like that," Anthony replied, smiling. "Never thought about it before but with Harry here, I'm intrigued. Good food is good food, no matter where it comes from."
"Quite right," Etcher said with approval.
Fresh fruit tarts came out to finish the meal along with a small selection of cheeses. Harry appeared as they were finishing eating. "How was everything?"
"Delicious," Gates sighed with deep satisfaction. "You keep getting better Lad!"
"Chef Banks is an amazing chef," Harry said with a big smile. "I'm learning so much."
"Your cooking is going to be so amazing when you get home," Quiver said. "You are coming home eventually, right?"
"Of course I am," Harry said, coughing slightly when she hugged him gratefully. "I couldn't bear being too far from all of you. That and Dee will drag me back."
"Yeah she would," Gates laughed.
"Thank you for cooking for us," Etcher said with Jet, Aron, and Sheller nodding. "I can see us becoming regular patrons while you are here, and perhaps further depending. Since you are familiar with goblin cooking, I would like for you to be there when we negotiate with Chef Banks."
"He already asked," Harry smiled. "Can't wait. I've been missing nicken and crake, not to mention all the mushrooms and other things. But I might have to wait a bit more before I can drink the teagale, it's different here for age, right?"
"You're still a Gringotts employee," Gates said as he laughed. "Those little things don't apply to you."
"I think they do still," Harry smiled.
-0-
"Good job everyone," Anthony said after the last orders of the night went out. "Good service!"
"Very good," Leslie agreed as she walked into the kitchen. "Full turnovers, 60 covers plus, not a negative word from anyone." She gave Anthony an envelope. "From Mr. Etcher," she said softly. "His compliments."
Anthony looked inside and coughed, seeing the money. He also took out the paper and saw what the goblin had wrote. "Well, looks like things are going to be changing for us in the future," he said.
"He really is very warm and kind," Leslie smiled. She and Anthony watched as Harry joked with the crew as they cleaned.
"And a damn fine cook," Anthony said smugly.
-0-0-0-
Wentley - FF has frequent problems it seems. I love a plain bagel with butter and cream cheese, I'm basic like that, but everything is a close second. Rye sourdough sounds good. I like the sourdough bread bowls Panera has. Fill it with soup. Good meal.
poka - I've never made it myself but one day I'd like to try.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - From what I know of NYC folk, they have an opinion on everything and are not shy about sharing it. I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of NY style pizza. I like my crust and base a little thicker with some chew to it, but it's still damn fine pizza. And when I visited NYC as an adult, I had to admit that NYC bagels really are something different and delicious.
61394 - Thank you. I love those foods as well.
TheSphynx - Even not as good pizza is still good because it's pizza and just because one might not favor it, someone else does so all pizza is good.
odonnellzoo99 - That sounds like such a nice memory and a good way for families to spend time together. I really need to get to the other coast one of these days and eat my way around. I love soup in bread bowls.
Arnie1701 - Good sandwich bread.
Hufflepuffzd96 - She probably tries to a lot. One day she might succeed.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Ambiance and service can definitely impact the food as much as the food itself is important. Thanks for reading.
Shroudy9 - Glad you still like it. I've never baked from a starter before. One day I'd like to try and do more bread baking.
alix33 - Here in America, Krispy Kreme is more easily found in the South. I always go when I go back to visit family. They're very good doughnuts.