Be brave and accept a challenging matter with an open heart.
Everyone has their favorite takeout place. You know the one.... you call and place your order (which never varies by more than one item) just like anyone calling and the person on the other end says, "OK, Amy, are you picking up tonight or is it delivery?" I love being a regular!
Our favorite place to get takeout and to take the kids to dinner is a Chinese restaurant called Yen Ching. It took us almost four years to find out that the best Chinese in town was available only 6 minutes away, but we've been reaping the benefits ever since. We still weren't really "regulars," though, until I was pregnant with The Animal. During the last two trimesters of that pregnancy, I ate Chinese at least two times a week. I would go out to lunch with just Destructo once a week, after picking him up from preschool, and then we'd get takeout for the family at least one other time a week. The kids were ecstatic because they could live on sweet & sour chicken and my husband was blissfully tolerant of my craving for all things mu shu and crab rangoon. :)
Tangent: Because of that blasted Barenaked Ladies song, we started referring to sweet & sour chicken as "Chinese Chicken" (and your brain starts tickin'!) which has led to more than a few awkward moments at the restaurant as the children clamored for "CHI-neeeese Chicken!!!" And one memorable moment of my husband ordering "Chinese Chicken" at a random Chinese restaurant while with friends, not the kids. ;-)
Destructo chose to go to Yen Ching for his birthday dinner, so we all piled in the car to go, on Sunday night. We arrived en masse and as Destructo entered the restaurant in a headlong rush, he threw his arms up and announced, "YOUR FAVORITE CUSTOMERS ARE HERE!!!!" and threw himself into the arms of the owner. It was so sweet, so adorable, ...so open. (It seems an odd moment to be proud of, but i can't help but beam a little. :) We had a delightful dinner and then we were leaving he hugged both of the owners proclaiming his thanks and then ended with a huge "I LOVE YOU!!!!" as he darted out the door. It's not every day that a kid turns SEVEN, I guess! :) I love that little guy so much.
And a super random bonus (alright, this whole post was pretty random.... I'll give you that.) of the new trailer for Where The Wild Thing Are, directed by Spike Jonze. I don't know about you, but this trailer is amazing. I almost burst into tears at the end, to be honest.
love love love me some chinese!!
ReplyDeleteMan, I haven't been to Yen Ching in ages but I used to love it -- started eating there in high school. One year my dad traded some advertising with them and then ALL we ate was Yen Ching. Which is probably why I haven't eaten there in so long. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe literally live across the street from the best chinese restuarant within miles!!! It's about thirty steps from my front door... and it smells so good right now!
ReplyDeleteYup. The last bit is the best part. Not sure how I feel of the indana jonesishness, but where else could they go with it I guess.
ReplyDeleteOh dang...it isn't coming out until October. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a good movie.
ReplyDeleteYour son at the restaurant is so cute. I love that he walked in so confident and said "Your favorite customers are here". That is just too cute.
Now I have that song stuck in my head!!
ReplyDeleteI adore, that at seven, he's not too cool for the room yet, you know?
ReplyDeleteSeems like all the kiddos up at Oldest's elementary already appear "over" everything.
Trailer is awesome. Thanks for the link. One of my favorite books to read to the boys - my little wild things.
Oh i can't wait to see that movie! What a classic! I love the nicknames for the kiddos! I call my little girl The Terrorist. We have to be careful when we go to the airport though! heehee
ReplyDeleteThere must be something about Chinese Food that hits home for a lot of people. My wife and I have a few that we like to frequent for different reasons (dishes). One in particular has a great egg-roll that is the size of a burrito that is the best I have ever had. Unfortunately, this restaurant does not deliver and I have to be the delivery boy whenever we order from there.
ReplyDeleteWe moved to Chinese wasteland. My old neighborhood was 70% Asian, man I miss the food. When it gets unbearable we hop in the car and drive an hour to enjoy dim sum, and the best Kung Pao on the planet.
ReplyDeleteI love being a "regular" at the Asian food places. Mine is a little hole in the wall Thai place in Chicago. I go there at least three times when I'm visiting, and even if it's a visit only every six months, they still remember me. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I know that book's name by heart, but it's been forever since I read it. But, watching that preview, I got a rush too! And a few tears.
Love Chinese food. The again I love Sushi, Mexican, good hot wings, burgers and big fat juicy steaks. MMMMMMM. Glad you are back safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm kung pao chicken sounds really good right now.
ReplyDeleteI wait tables in a restaurant that thrives off of "regular" business. I love seeing all of my "regulars" and catching up with them.
I want to go to the Chinese joint in the town over, but my husband doesn't eat Chinese food. Damn killjoy!
ReplyDeletewas it *eyeroll* or *eggroll*????
ReplyDeleteThere is either great Chinese food or terrible Chinese food. I do not believe it is ever just so-so.
ReplyDeleteHoney, you put the word "abysmal" and "UK" in the same sentence about English food, as if you're surprised or somethin'...:) GET USED TO IT. :))
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha to Braja's comment! British food is terrible - just like our coffee! I suggest you start liking take-away curries or Indian food instead as they are usually pretty good! I have had really good Thai and Chinese food in the UK.. you just have to know where to go.
ReplyDeleteBut for goodness' sake - avoid British food!
fortune cookies are always so upbeat and positive. I need to get out more for Chinese food, and BTW the Chinese Chicken is my son's favorite dish too :-)
ReplyDeletecarma