Mourning the tragic loss of their comrade, our hungry heroes drift aimlessly in REALMSPACE!
Beluir Poached Salmon
Known as the unofficial capital of the former halfling nation of Luiren, Beluir was well regarded for its friendly folk, its strategic port location, and, of course, its food. The city's proximity to forests, rich farmland, and the sea made it an obvious destination for chefs and diners from across the Realms. And few dishes stood out more than Beluir's famous poached salmon. Available at virtually any eating house in town, the most traditional preparation came from the Friendly Burrow tavern, which created a mouthwatering spread, comprising both fresh and smoked salmon, herbs, cream cheese, and a touch of cayenne, served atop a baguette with a sprinkle of capers. If you couldn't get into the Friendly Burrow (it was always packed), the Cold Duck Inn made a worthy representation, and they even had rooms for rent that could accommodate "tall folk" guests who needed a rest after all that dining. While Luiren is no more, this famous dish can still be found on board various halfling-crewed spelljammers who commandeered this dish as their own.
Black Lotus Root
There is one curriculum rarely discussed at Strixhaven University—feasting. But with offerings at the school's refectories as eclectic as its student body, aspiring mages from across the multiverse are exposed to exotic, colorful, and delicious meals to keep their learning minds inspired. At the Bow's End Tavern, a popular campus eatery, one culinary rite of passage is the pickled Black Lotus Root. This earthy yet tangy treat is an addictive nibble, notorious for turning the tongues of those who eat it purple. First years often flash their lilac tongues on campus like a badge of courage. Notably, Black Lotus Root pairs well with nearly any of the colorful (and alchemical) concoctions on tap.
Green Dragon Blackbread Muffins
Blackbread is a palm-size circular loaf of pumpernickel that demands to be served warm and topped with sweet butter. A base of stone-ground cornmeal, dark rye flour, and a dash of unsweetened cocoa bolster the dark colors and texture. Buttermilk, molasses, and dark brown sugar round out this versatile bread with an almost honeyed nuance, which dips nicely in surplus gravy. You aren't doing it right unless a sizable slab of salted yak butter or the like is slathered on top to melt into its deep, dark nooks. A fancier version, usually served as a meal in itself, has currants or dried fruits rolled in, providing an even chewier and heartier experience. Blackbread is often sold in loaves by the bunch, but they are equally delectable in a portable muffin form, as they are served at the Green Dragon Inn in the Free City of Greyhawk. Blackbread's versatility makes it a great day starter reheated in a skillet, with—you guessed it—additional butter glistening atop. A notable version of this exists in loaf form in Saltmarsh and its nautical outskirts. In truth, whether eaten from a loaf or as a muffin, it's a classic and frugal dark bread that finds its way into many a larder.
Thrakel-Seared Beef in Red Sauce
Despite its reputation as a puritanical theocracy, Eberron's central Khorvaire nation of Thrane has a long and storied culinary tradition. Their culinary mastery is on no greater display than during the Feast of the Silver Flame, where one dish stands above the rest: Thrakel-Seared Beef in Red Sauce. True to Thranish tradition, strips of flank steak are drowned in a tomato-based sauce with hints of ginger, soy, and garlic. Scallions and onions add some kick in this explosion of flavor renowned through Eberron.
Ornabra
Ornabra is a hearty meal and something of a badge of honor for those who have eaten it. This dish has been served for many generations by the hard-working denizens of Purskul (the "Granary City"), a bustling and notable caravan stop inland from Athkatla, between Amn's Cloud Peak and the Small Teeth mountains in West Faerûn. Lamb and potato stew is simmered for hours, then drained before being wrapped in thick and chewy flatbread the size of a small shield. As popular with Purskul's human constituents as with its sizable half-orc population, this street food is enough to fill a humanoid belly for two meals and is commonly scooped up by on-the-go, coin-conscious caravanners along the Southern Trade Way.
Blood of Vol
In the military nation of Karnath, the faith known as the Blood of Vol symbolizes the inherent divinity within all people, stressing the power and comfort of the bonds that we form in this life. Exactly how the name of that religion became attached to this Eberron dish is a bit obscure—but the first bite you take will send divine strength coursing through your veins. The egg base is chock-full of sausage, onions, bell peppers, and enough spices to purify the soul—or in some cases, make you feel the flames of damnation, if there is such a thing. Some establishments serve this with an absolutely scorching amount of pepper, and its devotees settle for nothing less.
Breaded Bird Cutlets
No one is quite sure how this crispy and succulent breaded chicken dish has proliferated across many planets of the multiverse, but why it appears on the menus of so many eateries is blatantly obvious—it's as classic as it is delicious. Traditional preparation of this multiversal main requires tenderizing and breading the cutlets to ensure that the chicken remains soft and moist. Each thin cutlet, the size of an orc's palm, is then fried in a flash to lock in the juices. Breaded Bird Cutlets are primarily served seasoned, lathered with butter, and spritzed with lemon, although breadings and sauces can vary greatly depending on the world and the occasion. If someone in your party is feeling adventurous, order a "stack"—three sizzling cutlets on a platter—which will surely satiate even the grandest appetite.
Halfling Game Birds
Halflings may be small, but their love of fine food is known to be grand. It follows, then, that one of their most prized dishes would be correspondingly small of size but big on flavor, and such is the case with the dish called Halfling Game Birds. Rubbed with a secret mixture of rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest, these tasty Cornish hens are left to marinate overnight, testing the patience of many a halfling chef. When the waiting is over (almost never as long as is recommended), the birds are finally roasted at a scorching high heat to hasten them to the table where they never last long in front of eager diners. Whether Oerth, Toril, Eberron, or Krynn, these little game birds rule the roost on halfling tables across the multiverse.
Vada's Vanilla Buns
For those fortunate enough to visit the Radiant Citadel, a shining and otherworldly beacon of civilization deep in the Ethereal Plane, it is a nearly unrivaled cultural experience. Much more than a crossroads for weary interplanar pilgrims seeking passage to the founding civilizations of the Material Plane, the citadel is a veritable hub of flavors and cuisine all its own. The vanilla buns sold at Vada's Otherworldly Goods, made by the famous baker and Citadel resident Vada, are a scrumptious street-treat hailing from Siabsungkoh's famed Dyn Singh Market, nicknamed the Dancing Night Market due to its ever-shifting forms and truly magical and festive nature. These delicate rolled pastries are baked in a tightly packed bundle, resulting in a freshly cooked tray that resembles a bouquet of golden flowers. Crispy on the outside and cloudlike in the middle, these vanilla-flavored morsels don't last long at Vada's, or anywhere you find them, so be sure to grab one while you can. Although the original bun is crafted from a secret family recipe, this recipe is as close to the real thing as you are going to find.
Ray of Frost
This flavorful and strikingly cerulean concoction is said to chill its imbiber from the inside out. Named after the arcane incantation known for blasting its target with a rush of frigid energy and slowing their steps, ray of frost provides a cool option at upmarket taverns with more extensive and adventurous drink lists. Often served in a small crystal glass, Ray of Frost is an inspired blend of gin, absinthe, vermouth, and enough ice to chill even the coldest parts of Wildspace. The real challenge with this drink isn't surviving the initial icy brain-blast but surviving several glasses of it.
Ruby Cordial
Ruby cordial is traditionally a saccharine swill of liquefied dark cherries blended into a fortified wine from the southern Moonshae Islands, where the aperitif first originated. While any cherries will do, the cherries of choice originate from the same rustic archipelago where they ripen in the sandy island soil, which imbues them with a sweet, robust flavor. Distilling cherry stems, skins, and even pits into the liqueur activates an almost nutty layer of flavor that hits right after the initial sugary wave passes. The Blade and Stars, a tried-and-true establishment in the port city of Baldur's Gate, offers a remarkable interpretation of this offshore staple using a traditional ruby port instead of fermented Moonshae cherry juices. Even better, the Blade serves food and drink right in the guest rooms, ensuring that no one will notice just how many of these wondrous cocktails are consumed.