“Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.”
Sydney June 2013 – Melbourne March 2016 (7 photos)
“Where’s the waiter when you need one?”
“Have you decided yet, ma’am? Would you like a few more minutes to decide?”
“I’ll have what she’s having!”
This is the street entrance to the Meatmaiden, a basement restaurant in Melbourne. Take your camera if you go. There is a fantastic stairwell to photograph here which you get a glimpse of in the photo.
I was walking past one afternoon when I saw the sign and door. Naturally I was intrigued. I quickly googled the restaurant then walked in and made a reservation for that night. Meat and lots of it, features heavily on the menu here, naturally enough. Slow cooked beef brisket seems to be their signature meat. Well worth a visit if you’re not vegetarian.
Some experiences in restaurants are the same, wherever you are in the world. I’ve tried to capture a few of these in photographs.
Secondi, a term often seen on menus for Italian Restaurants refers to the second course, or in this case, my second contribution to this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge about Dinnertime. And for the second time, a post about Dinnertime without specifically showing a photo of a dinner – risky, huh? π
Shall we get the bill?
What do you mean it’s our turn to pay !?!?!?
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
π The last two was so hilarious! Spot on with their expressions.
And why is that everywhere non-vegetarians get to have SO MUCH choices. Urgh!
Thank you. I can see myself in each of those last 2 situations, too. π π π
Over here, more vegetarian options are available now. Not just the same salads over and over again.
Good… We poor vegetarians also deserve options! π
Absolutely. π
Yeah, I’ll have a secondi! π
Be my guest. π
The light in that third photograph is just perfect in my opinion.
Thank you very much. The building has a giant transparent ceiling which makes indoors photography easier.
Yes, it seems to defuse the light in an interesting way as well.
It does.
nice shots π
Shall we get the bill? photo.. is lovely β€
Thank you so much. And he seems happy to be doing so. π
But “food”, is surely the Primadonna, in this entry….
Clever interpretation!
Thank you very much. π π π
Such a humoresque take on this week’s challenge, Dragon. You took us through the start and finish of a sit down meal where one is served. The “Shall we get the bill” is a shot with so much class. Brilliant timing, and look at that expression on his face.
There are times when I get very lucky with the facial expressions that are captured, and this is one of them.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Always ready with the camera. Poised and you hope the exposure turns out right. That shot deserves to be put in a museum. I think the BW composition works well with it π
Thank you. A gallery, perhaps. But a museum? I’m not dead yet. LOL π π π
That last one was spot on π π π
Their expressions are priceless. Thank you so much. π
Excellent pictures.
Many thanks.
I love your candid photographs of people. I feel like a fly on the wall!
That’s what I like about completely candid photography. Thank you very much. π
Amazing captures of the facial expression! I’m so glad I’m back to view these photos on my PC monitor. It looks much better than my iPhone 6+. Thanks, Dragon! π
I shall not book a reservation at the Meatmaiden π
Thank you, Amy. I’m sure we’ve all gone through these dining situations before and made the same expressions, except for maybe the “shall we get the bill?” – he looks too happy. π π π
No Meatmaiden for you? One less restaurant I need to stake out to find you, so instead I can steak out. π
Oops i went to a wrong post site! Here we go …
Brilliant, Dragon!
Pressure is ON π₯π
Thanks, Amy. π π π
I’m working with the FBI to track you down. π
Houston is blocking Dragon flight, hehehe… βDo. Or do not. There is no try.β π
LOL. π π π I have a few tricks up my sleeve.
OooKay! LOL
π
Loved these. I have to arrive 10 minutes before my dining companion so I can read the menu in detail without interruption! Not sure if that’s what the first guy is doing, or if he’s just dining alone. You’re right, though – some things are just universal!
Thank you. I know, some menus and wine lists are like novels. And so descriptive, they mention almost every ingredient. If possible, I look at the restaurant’s menu on the internet before going. Then, if the menu hasn’t changed, I only have to consider any daily specials.
Good plan!
It can save a lot of time. π
I like that last subtitle. Great reaction!
Thank you so much. A little humour to end with. π
What an excellent journey through dinner time! “Shall I get the bill” is priceless! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face tonight.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jude. These are scenes we see everyday. I’m going to have to restrain myself next time I’m in a restaurant.
That man does look so happy. I can’t help but smile. π
Great images, Lignum!
I love the last one. π
Thanks so much, Lisa. Their expressions are fabulous. π
i secondi piatti italiani sono quelli piΓΉ sostanziosi, e c’Γ¨ molta sostanza nel tuo secondo dedicato ai ristoranti
lieta notte
Grazie mille. Buon fine settimana. π
You realize I will never be able to walk through the Queen Victoria building without watching every ones expressions AND keeping an extra eye open for a bloke with a sneaky camera. You manage to catch those decisive moments that tell a whole story. Definitely a post worthy of being included in the dinnertime theme.
You aren’t the first one, from Australia and elsewhere in the world, to say they will be on the lookout for me, so they can avoid being photographed.
Thank you so much. I have quite a few different facial expressions captured as you may imagine. I can put together almost any story with my photos. π
The waitress shot is my fave. I have noticed that many of your photos are taken in this same establishment. I’ll have to be sure to avoid this place if I’m ever in Sydney. π
Thanks. Yes, but I am on the lookout for new areas to photograph, so remain vigilant. π
Hey Mr D .. A great collection as always ..you capture people so well!
Thank you so much, Julie. Wishing you a wonderful long weekend.
And to you too mr D π
Thank you.
Another great set of street people. You just keep ’em coming. And that doorway in Melbourne is magnificent.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Love your street photography as always! That first one is me! I have such a tough time deciding what to get when I go to a restaurant (especially a new place). π
Thanks. You’re not alone with that dilemma.
All of life, Draco! π π Some wonderful expressions.
Thanks, Jo.
Exceptional work and the expressions in the last two with the apt titling are my particular favourites. My question is: How do you manage to get these shots un-noticed?
Thank you. In essence I don’t draw attention to myself. I hold my camera in the same position when I’m walking, taking photos or not. It simply looks like I’m protecting it. I walk close to the tables at a steady pace which doesn’t change and I only shoot where there is enough background noise to hide the sound of the shutter release.
You’ve certainly got it down to a fine art
Thanks. Also, people who are preoccupied in a public place tend to block their surroundings out.
Super clicks Lignum with such a wonderful collection of dining expressions and . . . . no cell phones!
You’re right, no cell phones. How strange. π
I like the caption for the last pic!
Thanks. π
Meatmaiden? That’s a unique name for a restaurant!! At least it’s a very loud warning to vegetarian or vegan it might not be their kind of place! π
It’s a good set of pictures about dinnertime without the need of images of meals – there’s enough of those ‘this is what I ate’ on the internet. Flat plates of food with no fragrance is not very appealing. I like to see food with some depth to it, as if I could reach out and help myself!
Food photography is an art form of its own. That’s not for me. I tend to just start eating when the food arrives. π
You captured some excellent expressions, as always, but I think my favorite in this series is “Shall we get the bill?”
Such animation!
Thank you. I can’t imagine what else was said to them to elicit such a reaction. π
your caption to the last photo cracked me up lol π I remember seeing the photo on a previous post… here’s the thing about your photos – unforgettable π
have a great week, LD π
Thank you very much, Alex. Have a wonderful week, too.