--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a meal that we shall never forget…" description: "\"“It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately, it was several meals that we shall never forget, because it went beyond the gastronomic fro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/peter-mayle-13285_food_it-was-a-meal-that-we-shall-never-forget_2754719.jpg" --- # It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately… ![“It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately, it was several meals that we shall never forget, because it went beyond the gastronomic frontiers of anything we had ever experienced, both in quantity and length. It started with homemade pizza - not one, but three: anchovy, mushroom, and…” quote by Peter Mayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/peter-mayle-13285_food_it-was-a-meal-that-we-shall-never-forget_2754719.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/peter-mayle-13285_food_it-was-a-meal-that-we-shall-never-forget_2754719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/peter-mayle-13285_food_it-was-a-meal-that-we-shall-never-forget_2754719.jpg) > ““It was a meal that we shall never forget; more accurately, it was several meals that we shall never forget, because it went beyond the gastronomic frontiers of anything we had ever experienced, both in quantity and length. It started with homemade pizza - not one, but three: anchovy, mushroom, and cheese, and it was obligatory to have a slice of each. Plates were then wiped with pieces torn from the two-foot loaves in the middle of the table, and the next course came out. There were pates of rabbit, boar, and thrush. There was a chunky, pork-based terrine laced with marc. There were saucissons spotted with peppercorns. There were tiny sweet onions marinated in a fresh tomato sauce. Plates were wiped once more and duck was brought in... We had entire breasts, entire legs, covered in a dark, savory gravy and surrounded by wild mushrooms. We sat back, thankful that we had been able to finish, and watched with something close to panic as plates were wiped yet again and a huge, steaming casserole was placed on the table. This was the specialty of Madame our hostess - a rabbit civet of the richest, deepest brown - and our feeble requests for small portions were smilingly ignored. We ate it. We ate the green salad with knuckles of bread fried in garlic and olive oil, we ate the plump round crottins of goat's cheese, we ate the almond and cream gateau that the daughter of the house had prepared. That night, we ate for England.”” [Peter Mayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mayle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A lavish, unforgettable feast that overwhelmed the senses, symbolizing indulgence and cultural immersion. **In simple terms:** A massive, unforgettable meal that showed excess and cultural richness. Key Takeaway Savor experiences fully, even when overwhelming. Themes food culture indulgence hospitality excess Mood joyful nostalgic overwhelmed Type narrative descriptive culinary When to use this quote - family gatherings - travel diaries - celebrations - food festivals - cultural immersion Key Concepts culinary tradition social bonding rituals Questions to Reflect On - How does excess in food reflect broader cultural values? - When does indulgence become a problem? A Different Perspective May be unsustainable or unhealthy to replicate such excess regularly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Olive oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olive-oil/) ## Related quotes > [“If the end of one's youth is a thin slice of cheese I ate mine standing in that room. I was there because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-myles/if-the-end-of-one-s-youth-is-a-thin-slice-of-cheese-i-ate-mine/) [Eileen Myles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-myles/) > [“until the night it ate the baby.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-duncan/until-the-night-it-ate-the-baby/) [Dave Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-duncan/) > [The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. 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It started with homemade pizza - not one, but three: anchovy, mushroom, and cheese, and it was obligatory to have a slice of each. Plates were then wiped with pieces torn from the two-foot loaves in the middle of the table, and the next course came out. There were pates of rabbit, boar, and thrush. There was a chunky, pork-based terrine laced with marc. There were saucissons spotted with peppercorns. There were tiny sweet onions marinated in a fresh tomato sauce. Plates were wiped once more and duck was brought in... We had entire breasts, entire legs, covered in a dark, savory gravy and surrounded by wild mushrooms. We sat back, thankful that we had been able to finish, and watched with something close to panic as plates were wiped yet again and a huge, steaming casserole was placed on the table. This was the specialty of Madame our hostess - a rabbit civet of the richest, deepest brown - and our feeble requests for small portions were smilingly ignored. We ate it. 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