PASSIONATE RATIONS

New England has strayed far from the habits of the motherland.

Case in point:  fish and chips.

True, this is the only case in which “chips” actually means “French fries” in the U.S., hearkening to mother England’s influence.  But when it comes to condiments, oh how we have wandered!

Anyone worth the salt on their chips knows that the best (and authentically English) accoutrement of fish and chips is malt vinegar.

Anyone, that is, other than wait staff at your local neighborhood Friendly’s Restaurant.

True, Friendly’s is not a favored stop for the gastronomically inclined.   Better known for un-gourmet ice cream sundaes, perhaps it comes as no surprise that our Friendly’s waiter, when questioned as to the availability of malt vinegar to accompany my spouse’s order, looked perplexed.  He returned from his quest to the kitchen and cheerfully noted that, no, they did not have malt vinegar, but he’d be happy to add some malt powder to regular vinegar….

Needless to say, we declined.