"W"........... is for Western Samoa

"W" is for Western Samoa, and yes, there is no Western Samoa anymore, and yes, there are no Western Samoan restaurants in Melbourne. So where does one go then, to experience such a South Pacific culinary delight? Easy.....to the Melbourne suburb of Maribyrnong and a little hidden treasure called "Western Samoa on Village Way", a 'pop-up' eatery that happens to be the home of Mr and Mrs X!

Of course, Mrs X had no idea that Mr X had spent all that week planning, buying preparing and secretly cooking for the big night, so when it came to getting ready, they did everything as per normal, even getting into the car and driving around the block and pulling up outside their house, to which Mr X blurted out "We're here"! 

Whilst driving around the block, Mr and Mrs X's daughter had been racing around and decorating the outside eatery with "Western Samoan" regalia, complete with music, candles, menus and costumes, so when Mrs X walked in her look was worth a thousand alohas!

Once seated, a brief history of the former island paradise was read out, complete with the facts that famous Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson died and is buried there, and that the economy is still dependent on money sent home by its workers abroad. Not only were Mrs and Ms X salivating with the aromatic odurs eminating from the kitchen , but there were being educated as well.

Pre-dinner drinks were then served, a watermelon drink called Vaimeleni, where the recipe called for all ingredients to be fresh! They were. A side snack of Western Samoan Doritos even made it to the table to compliment the strawberry and pineapple thirst quencher.

Entree followed, with Sapa Sui (Samoan Chop Suey) where the recipe stated that this dish was cheap, delicious and fast to prepare. It also said that, being Samoan, there would be enough to feed an army. They were right.

Main course was Kale Moa (Samoan chicken), and again there was enough to feed the whole neighbourhood.

And, true to Alphabet Eats style, (there shouldn't have been any room .....but there surprisingly was), the night concluded with sweets, a traditional dish called Puligi, a Samoan coconut pudding.

There's no doubting the Alphbet Eats team, because where there's a will there's a way. The former Western Samoans (and even the current ones) would have been proud of them!

Score:        Mr X.........Mrs X.....................PRICELESS!!!!!