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75 Plus Years Last summer, Don and I had a memorable meal at Plaza Cafe, in downtown Santa Fe.  The menu told us it had been around for 75 years, but the history goes further back. Serving Since 1905 This prime spot, overlooking the historic Santa Fe Plaza, has been serving up authentic traditional dishes, for 120 years.  The pretty building is older than it looks. It doesn't have the soft curves you see in so many of Santa Fe's historic pueblo style buildings. This building on the Plaza, has housed a restaurant since 1905. I'm guessing the building is even older. New Owner in 1947 In 1947 a Greek immigrant named Dan Razatos, took over the Plaza Cafe.. from another owner, who was also a Greek immigrant.  While running his cafe, Dan met and married a local girl named Beneranda. Together they raised 6 kids and ran the Plaza Cafe together. Son Leonardo owns today. Our Visit in 2024 The cafe's exterior didn't look much different when we arrived in 2024, than when Mr. Razotos opened in 1947.  The brick and glass reminded me of Ben Franklin's or Cunningham Drugs, from when I lived in Grinnell, Iowa in the 1960s. Classic Diner The interior was bright and cheery at 11:30 am.  The old fashioned diner look was quite a surprise. It's not what we usually expect in Santa Fe. Counter Seating It was tempting to have a seat at the counter. I loved swiveling on a stool when I was a kid at Cunningham's... having grilled cheese or ice cream.  It's always fun keeping an eye on the action. Especially when there's a friendly staff of nearly a dozen, dressed in white shirts with black bowties! Design with China I was also entertained by the display above the counter.  What a clever way to make use of broken diner china... cups, saucers and plates! Tables & Booths Most guests opted for tables. Actually all guests did.  I was sorry the tables filled quickly before I could get nosy and look at some of the framed photos and art. I did manage to sneak a peek at this photo. Taken in 1949, during the Fiesta Parade.  Too bad the cafe no longer has that great neon sign. Near the Window We were seated at a comfy table in the front section. A great view of the whole restaurant and the colorful patio, just out the window.  Don sat beneath a wreath of red chiles and displayed jars of Plaza Cafe's special sauces. Salsas, I presume. Portrait Not far from Don's right should was a large portrait on the wall.
Beneranda Razatos ran the cafe for many years without the help of Dan. Her husband died 25 years before she did, in 2022. She was well loved at the Plaza and in the community. Breakfast & Lunch The cafe serves breakfast until 4, so Don was able to order scrambled eggs with a big slab of ham, hash browns and toast.  He was mighty pleased. The lunch/dinner menu offered everything from Posole (pork & hominy stew) to grilled salmon. But I chose a spinach salad that made me so happy!  My bowl was full of goodies! Was this a shredded hard boiled egg? It was a tasty topping, sprinkled over my greens, onions, mushrooms and bacon. The warm bacon vinaigrette dressing was tangy-yummy! The chili-cheddar crostini was an added treat. I think our server Esther called in Pepper Bread. Surprise in the Wall I took a trip to the restroom after we finished and found 2 surprises. One was the fun wallpaper in the hallway.  The other was behind glass. Part of the original adobe wall was on display. I'm sure this building has had many renovations, but somewhere along the way, they decided to preserve this peek at the past. I wish I could have found more history about the age of the building before 1905! Cheers to Esther! Our server Esther took such good care of us. She chatted and answered silly questions every time she stopped by our table. She was efficient and friendly and I finally just had to ask how long she'd been working at The Plaza.  42 years! "What!!? You must have been a baby!" Before long we heard more of her story. She'd moved to the States as a teen in 1986. She found herself working for the Razotos Family and was very grateful for their support. She laughed as she remembered the very first order she took and how she messed it up. Eventually she became a citizen and brought her parents and 10 siblings from Guatemala. There were many servers working on that July day and we lucked out with Esther! Heading Off We left feeling happily satisfied with our breakfast/lunch.  But we were even more pleased that we'd experienced another side of Santa Fe. Our little retro diner had a whole different kind of vibe and history than much of Old Santa Fe. And our server made the experience extra nice. Next Time In a couple of weeks we'll be back in Santa Fe, dining on New Mexican cuisine, at some of our favorite places.  I'm hoping to return to Plaza Cafe. It's a refreshing change. This time I hope to sit on the patio, overlooking the old Plaza. And maybe I'll order the Greek Salad, in honor of the Cafe's Greek roots. That should be just right... along with a Red Velvet Cupcake!
I hope we see Esther!
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Ponderosa Restaurant Last June, Don and I dined well, on the first day of our road trip to Colorado. I looked on my phone for good lunch options as we drove through west-central Texas.  As we traveled on Hwy 180 towards the town of Snyder, I looked for ideas on TripAdvisor and found Ponderosa. The term "hole in the wall" was written in more than a couple reviews. Compliments about the owner and food were pretty much mentioned in all! Driving through Snyder I looked up from my phone enough to glimpse at the town as we rolled along 180. We didn't spot a sign for Ponderosa, but we saw quite a few worn and weathered restaurants.
I did love the vintage Sinclair sign, though! And the sweet dino and mint colored truck!  What a mighty tidy little station! Ponderosa's Sign We made it through town and I thought we'd missed the place. Then we spotted the fine sign above a cluster of buildings on the Ponderosa property. (This curious sign was not featured in any of the reviews)  I tried to quickly take in all the info, written in Spanish and English. Restaurant AND motel Phone & Fax numbers Money Transfer Service Open 24 hours... yet, Open Mondey to Friday 6 pm to 10 pm. Nothing on the sign told us where to park or which building held the restaurant. Entrance We pulled off the highway and drove between 2 blue posts. Colored lights were strung between a few buildings.  The property felt a little odd and confusing. The cars parked near the L-shaped motel indicated long term residents. Should we park there? We drove around to another L-shaped section of rooms, that looked unoccupied.  We parked and headed back to the area with dark blue paint and signs. I reminded Don, "The reviews are positive! I heard it's the best food in Snyder!"  It looked like a few projects were in progress. I could see some scaffolding on the roof of the white building. The planter and fountain area was partially coated in blue spray paint. Blue & White There was more fresh paint on a little shrine built into one of the posts. Luckily statues of Mary are usually blue. She might have gotten an added touch-up of paint on her robe,
Madonna was facing towards the white metal building, that we presumed was the restaurant. But the attached carport made us wonder if it was a home. Luckily we noticed a neon sign above the door. "Come In We're Open" Happy Greeting As we stepped into a sort of breezeway, a man in a cowboy hat nodded and smiled on his way out. After passing through a red door, we finally felt confident we'd found our restaurant.  Two men stood chatting beside one of the booths. One was dressed in a proper chef's cook shirt. He looked at Don and smiled, "Welcome back!" (hmm?) Then he invited us to sit anywhere. Pick of the Place It was just 11:30, so all tables were available. We had about 8 options.  I was eager to sit at a table with Spanish style barrel chairs. "Ponderosa" and a scorpion was engraved into each. Lots to See While the chef finished up his converstaion, we took in our surroundings. The alcove-type windows, reminded me of Mary's shrine outside, But they were filled with artwork and knickknacks...
... and an occasional religious figure, if you looked carefully. Luis of Ponderosa It was just a moment before the owner/chef said good-bye to his friend and greeted us again, with menus.  There was a photo of Luis and his late wife Lucia, just below the giant scorpion. (It say Lus & Luisa??) There was also an important quote, that we heard about later. Words in Red There were important words in bold red, that told us something else important. But we didn't have to read. Luis told us right away.  He was happy to cook anything on or off the menu, if he had the ingredients. "This is your house!" Chips & Salsa After dropping off menus Luis disappeared for a bit and returned with a basket of piping hot chips. Did he actually just make those back in the kitchen? And incredible fresh salsa!  Luis couldn't have been friendlier. He inquired about Don and seemed surprised to know they hadn't met before. He was sure he remembered Don. With no other customers around Luis was in no hurry for our order. We heard a lot about this interesting man, in chef's clothing. Luis in California We didn't have to read the displayed article to learn about Luis. He stood beside our table and shared about his life, with great enthusiasm. As a young child, he moved from Mexico to Los Angeles. That was after his father moved to CA with the Bracero Program, in the early'60s.  At one point Luis wanted to continue with school but his father gave him the advice (written on the menu) about study vs. work. He quit school and ended up working for numerous notable chefs in Los Angeles. He was trained in cooking all kinds of cuisine. Dad's Advice Usually I'd question a father encouraging a child to quit school, but the more Luis spoke, the more sense his father's words made.  Luis seemed to be such a content man. It sure seemed that his hard work had given him what he needed AND wanted. Cook & Serve Besides chatting with us, Luis also had to cook our meal and serve it as well. He disappeared for a while and eventually returned with our steaming plates.  Another couple came in, so Luis suddenly had more to attend to.  However he had time to pose with Don and his incredible 2.5 pound burrito, stuffed with his choice of many meats. Ponderosa Combination Plate My plate was just as heavy, with enchilada, tamale, taco, rice and beans.  I should have used my steak knife for that cheese! Man that was a decadent and delicious meal. We ended up boxing up more than half to take with us.  As we ate, Luis moved back and forth from the kitchen, attending to the new guests. I kept worrying over how he did it all.  His wife passed away 3 years ago and it's been hard to find good help. Luis works alone right now, but says he doesn't mind. He can count on himself and he loves the people he meets and serves. He assured me he had Mondays off, but maybe not holidays. I read a rave review about a feast Luis cooked on Christmas. Buying the Motel As we dined inside the white metal building, I thought about his story of purchasing the Ponderosa Motel a couple decades ago. He was married with a daughter in CA and had been working for some talented chefs over the years. (Historic LA Athletic Club!) But he was ready for change. He and his wife spotted an ad in the PennySaver paper for the Ponderosa Motel in Snyder, TX. They bought it for a little over $100,000., sight unseen!  They packed up and moved and found the motel in lousy shape. Only 4 of the 24 rooms were serviceable. After a couple years they had the motel fixed up and added a new storm shelter. Eventually they turned the shelter into the restaurant and Luis got back to cooking! He said they had no regrets. Especially since Snyder had been such a good place to raise their daughter. Name Trivia Luis finished serving the other couple and shared some more tidbits. He smiled as he recalled becoming an American citizen. Paperwork led to the discovery that there were 7 others with his same name, (and from his state, Jalisco) who had also applied. That seemed to amuse him.  He talked about meeting a woman in another town, who shared his last name. When she mentioned something about being siblings, Luis quickly did the math about when his dad came to the States. He said that just as he was wrapping his head around the notion of a half sister, the woman added sweetly, "We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God." He gave a big laugh at how he'd jumped to conclusions. Funny Signs Luis seemed to enjoy making us smile. So he pointed out some decorations. Mostly Luis made sure Don noticed the 20 or so little signs scattered about.  He said these were "double-tongue" messages. (Serious messages hidden behind humor) I snapped this photo with no clue. I looked up a translation... "Mr. Fiado died, he paid poorly and I killed him." We Paid Well We finished up and paid our bill at the arched opening to the kitchen. We offered much thanks and tipped well, for our nearly 2 hours of good food and entertainment. We didn't need a double tongue sign to encourage that!  Before we headed out, I asked Luis what he liked best about his work. He answered without hesitation. He loved delivering the dishes himself and seeing diners react to the food they saw and tasted!
What a sweet stop in the middle of nowhere Texas! I can see why the reviews were positive! We'll have to plan this route again! Fun Food Stop & Fun Sign I love old diners and drive-ins! I love old signs.  This pole on the corner of Jefferson and 13th, in West Sacramento, seems to have 3 signs. The Whitey's arrow at the top must be from 1963. Emile (Whitey) Boisclair Over 6 decades ago, a man nicknamed Whitey, bought this burger joint that was part of the Jolly Cone chain.  This photo from their website, shows Whitey cooking in the crowded little kitchen. Eventually Whitey's daughter and son-in-law became owners. Just 2 years ago, Whitey's grandkids took over the biz. Weekday in May For such a tiny "diner" there was a huge parking lot. Don and I arrived after 1:30 and there were still plenty of cars.  As we walked towards the tiny box of a building, we could hear music playing! The Monkees, Beach Boys... happy tunes from the 60s and 70s.  From the opposite side of the parking lot, we could see tidy plant containers and lots of tables with umbrellas. The umbrellas stayed closed on that gusty afternoon. Continuous Line We joined about 8 people in line and waited to place our order.  We had time to take in the festive vibe. Lots of regulars getting carryouts or just cones. Families, workmen, a mama with tiny baby, some elder folk... tourists? I'm guessing Don and I were the only out-of-towners. Order Time It was too early for Happy Hour.  But we had lots of beer and wine options!  Our son and daughter-in-law weren't with us, but they are locals and had heard about the amazing peach shakes.  I inquired, but sadly there won't be any until maybe July. They only go on the menu when peaches are in season. Whitey's is known for their fruit shakes, made with fresh fruit & no sugar! Kone at 1:47? It was nearly 2 when we placed our order. I was temped to order a swirly cone when I noticed the tall cowboy ahead of me, reaching for his Jolly Kone, through a tiny window.  But I was suddenly craving a shake. I failed to go the healthy route and ordered the Butterfinger Shake along with my lunch. Waiting Time The woman taking our order couldn't have been nicer. She got Don's first name and asked for a last name initial. She told us it would be about 10 minutes, with a "I hope that's okay?" kind of tone.  The small space behind the windows seemed to be filled with upbeat and efficient staff. No inside tables, but plenty outside.  The wind was chilly so I craved a sunny picnic table. But Don found a shady spot near the pick up window. Don't want some other Don Z. to grab our order! Meal Time! Our 10 minutes went fast, with people watching. There were more people in line or waiting at tables than eating. So many pleasant people chatting with each other.  Don went for a burger and was pleased! Hot Chihuahua & Shake I skipped the fries, since I was ordering a ridiculously unhealthy lunch!  My Butterfinger Shake was so thick I had to use my straw as a spoon!  My beef hotdog, onion & cheddar, wrapped in a grilled tortilla was pretty tasty. I asked for the house-made salsa, on the side. Can't believe it was only $5. I could have had a corndog for $3.75! Family Owned Since '63 The best part of our little diner adventure, was the friendly, old fashioned vibe. How fun that they kept the original building and how cool that the same family has owned Whitey's for 62 years!  We'll need to return in the summer for a Peach Shake and to see the summer vibe, I'm guessing it will be hard to find an empty table!
Lunch at Chateau Marmont Hotel Last October, Don and I managed to pull off a quick lunch adventure at this iconic West Hollywood hotel.  The castle-like hotel rising above Sunset Boulevard, opened in 1929. From Hotel to Hotel We were staying at another epic Hollywood hotel. Both have lots of Hollywood history, but the Roosevelt had prices we could afford.  Since we couldn't afford to stay at The Chateau for $700 to $1,400 a night, we decided to make a lunch memory instead. Ubering in Style It was early afternoon on a Tuesday. Don and I stood on Hollywood Boulevard waiting for our Uber. A bright red Tesla pulled up. That felt a little snazzier than our Subaru. (This was before 2024 election...)  It was a short drive. I hoped we'd spot the grand hotel as we approached, but it seemed to be blocked by walls and jungly growth. Suddenly we turned in, beside a valet parking tent.  The neon sign with arrow, was classic. Finding the Entrance I wasn't too sure what we were in for, when the driver dropped us off. I'd read about the strict privacy policies. The hotel has long been considered a haven for the elite. A place where celebrities can relax without being asked for an autograph. At least our Tesla made us look less likely to be one of those celebrity seekers, than if we'd arrived in a car with Texas plates, filled with road trip junk.  There was no grand hotel entrance. In fact it wasn't exactly obvious where we were supposed to go. Luckily we guessed right and didn't have to wander like lost tourists. A Step Back in Time Suddenly we found ourselves in a dim hallway with dark furniture and drapes. No bellhops or greeters. It felt more like a ritzy apartment complex. Maybe that's because it had originally been built to be just that.  The carpets and rugs and plants made me think the interior hadn't been updated since it became a hotel in 1930. Except nothing smelled or felt old. It was the best kind of time warp. Sneaky updating and refinishing, without changing the charm of the past. 1944 As we moved towards the elevator, it felt a little like I was visiting an old and wealthy great aunt... about 80 years ago. I knew it wasn't 1944 though. The drapes probably smelled of cigarette and cigar smoke back then.  The hotel's Bohemian vibe has evidently remained the same over the decades. The celebrities who frequent the place probably preferred it that way. I liked that it wasn't catering to tourists. I was excited (and maybe a tiny bit intimidated) about our 2:00 reservations! The Front Desk When the elevator opened at the ground floor, we casually walked towards the front desk, hoping to look like return guests. (I'm sure we fooled no one.)  But we didn't know what we were doing, so we paused near the lovely desk, with its Gothic designs and brass bell and key boxes! A gentleman wearing many flashy gold pins (and earrings) greeted us. I wondered if this was the same man who answered my call for reservations. "Is this Beth?" the voice asked 2 hours earlier. I laughed and asked how he knew. "I was expecting your call." Hmm?? To the Courtyard Don and I had just that morning, decided we should attempt a visit for lunch. We actually knew nothing about the hotel's restaurant. Was there an inside restaurant? Or was courtyard dining all the hotel offered? We were fine either way. Weather was lovely.  The man with pins and earrings was quite pleasant as he turned us over to a woman holding menus. She guided us through the lovely doorway, into a sunny courtyard.  We stepped out to a stone terrace with a fountain and columns and more plants. We found ourselves in a magical little paradise. Perfect! We were seated at a cafe table on the edge of the courtyard, beneath an elegant canvas tent. The view from our table was ideal.  There was no one behind us to notice my cellphone quickly capturing the yellow umbrellas and checkerboard pavement.  I was glad I'd been discreet, when I glanced at my menu and read a sentence at the bottom, "Please refrain from taking photographs and smoking."  Besides the polite reminder, the menu offered a few lunch items within our budget. We could have enjoyed the most expensive burger in our ordering history. $42. Or maybe Petite Filet for $79. We chose a sandwich and a salad. Fellow Diners We placed our order with a welcoming young server, who did not seem to judge our light lunch order. The folks at nearby tables also didn't seem to judge. But I certainly wanted to stare and maybe judge them. Everyone looked like they could be somebody!  The other tables were too busy to notice the nearby Texas tourists. They were sipping wine and staring at laptops, or leaning over to greet other tables, or conversing quietly about important matters. They were far too busy "working" or socializing to notice my clothes were from Marshall's. I was not fooled by the casual jeans and sneakers I saw. The haircuts, the handbags, the sunglasses... all from fancy-fancy stores, I'm sure. Hollywood Celebs I didn't actually expect to see celebrities. I was content thinking about the classic Hollywood stars (Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo... Paul Newman) who were drawn to The Chateau long ago. It's the stories that go along with the stars that fascinates me. F Scott Fitzgerald wrote here... Tony Randall enjoyed sunbathing nude here... Bette Davis fell asleep with a lit cigarette and almost burned the place down... Sidney Portier was welcomed here in 1950 after being turned away from other Hollywood hotels... Humphrey Bogart hid out here with young Lauren Bacall... Lindsey Lohan lived here until she was kicked out... Beyounce and Jay Z had a big Oscar's bash here... John Belushi died from an overdose here... James Dean stayed here before his fatal car crash.  I was content just knowing stories, but then a couple of celebrities (that we actually recognized) walked into the courtyard. Keegan-Michael Key & Christian Slater joined a young woman for lunch, at a table right in front of us. I was good. My photos are from the internet. Woohoo! A sighting! Quick Dash The service was a bit on the slow side, so I made a trip to the Ladies Room.  Powdering my nose is often an excuse I use, to explore. Especially when visiting an exclusive place where wandering is possibly frowned upon. (Unless you're a hotel guest) I took a quick pic of the lobby lounge, which allowed me to absorb details later. Powder Pink The soft pink and silver gray bathroom was lovely.  I powdered my nose and took my time returning to our table. Small Bar My blurred bar photo shows that I was rushing. One quick snap, before the men seated nearby saw my phone.  Another rushed photo in the corner of the lounge, since the man seated moments before had vacated. That retro piano bar was quiet at that moment.  I wondered if the piano and velvet stools were original? Did Duke Ellington, Britney Spears, Bob Dylan or Led Zeppelin sing here, during their stays? Fancy Tent I returned to Don in our elegant tent and the food still had not arrived.  He looked very relaxed as he gazed over towards our 2 celebrities. Chances are quite good that there were other important people... writers, directors, actors I don't recognize. Food! Food arrived. Don's turkey club for $32.00 was pretty snazzy with marbled bread, pickles and asparagus. I'm not quite sure what he's doing with his fork.  My Greek Salad for $26. was not large, but it was healthy and fresh and tasty.  Until I bit into an un-chewable piece of wilted lettuce, which turned out to be a paper receipt. Our server was as surprised as me. She offered to get me a new salad, but I declined. I was almost done and had sort of lost my appetite. When she brought the check she apologized again and said the salad was removed from the check. Maybe I should have made a big fuss and gotten something more exciting. Wandering Our Way Out We settled up with our server, then took our time leaving the hotel. We took the stairs, for a change of scenery.  We stepped outside and felt pretty pleased with ourselves that we'd had a dining adventure with celebrities and a free salad. As we walked out towards the valet stand, I shook my head laughing. "Do you realize how lucky our server was, that I was the diner who ended up with paper in her salad?!" I've waited tables. I understand it wasn't her fault. But I can picture some of those other diners, not being so easygoing about the incident.  We walked out towards Sunset Boulevard to order an Uber. I told Don we should keep walking until we had a full view of the hotel.  It took a while before we were far enough away to see this fun image. I tried to imagine nearly a century ago, when the hotel was new and Sunset Boulevard was yet to be paved. Instead of Teslas and Subarus, there might have been a Ford Model A or a Packard, traveling along the boulevard, in West Hollywood!
What a fun adventure! Chinese Food in Texas This is the strip center where Hunan Garden is located.  The cozy place reminds me of some of my favorite Chinese restaurants we used to frequent, in St. Louis. It took Don and me about 2 decades of living in the Houston area, to discover it. Just 20 minutes from home. Chinese Food Here and There Don and I aren't experts, but we've eaten a lot of Chinese cuisine over the years. We've traveled with our kids in China and we've enjoyed Chinatown feasts in New York and San Francisco. Houston has the biggest "Asia Town" in the U.S.  But our fondest memories are from places like King Doh and Mandarin House, in St. Louis. These family owned operations were in modest strip centers. So many memories of sharing platters of spicy Hunan dishes, kid-friendly sweet and sours... and of course St. Louis favorites like, Shrimp Toast and Crab Rangoon. Hunan Garden in 2020 It was in January, just before the pandemic, when Don and I parked next to this fine dragon fountain for the first time.  I love a festive fountain and this totally delighted me. Festive Decor The interior was festive as well.  Lots of bamboo and gold and red. Decor There were people seated below this impressive framed piece, so I snapped above heads quickly.  The curious image covered the wall, above 4 booths. Cozy We were seated in a booth in front, but I peeked back behind the partition and saw 2 fishtanks. I was reminded of 30+ years ago.  Oh how our kids used to love going to Chinese restaurants with their grandparents! Don's dad and my mom took them often and they loved a good fish tank. My Kung Pao in January of 2020 I searched my phone and found this photo of my lunch special on that January day. The Kung Pao Chicken & Egg Roll was even more appetizing when I added the sweet sauce!  Don and I were both pleased with our meals that day. We were eager to become regular diners, because it seemed like everyone who entered was greeted warmly by the owners. 4 Months Later We didn't have a chance to become loyal customers right away. Shortly after our visit, Covid 19 hit the news. Our world suddenly changed.  By May, we were feeling comfortable enough to get carryouts, but we were a long way from dining in. I don't think we were able to snag any masks yet, judging by Don's kerchief. 4 Years Later It's been 4 years since Don masked up and got our very first pandemic carryout order, at Hunan Garden. Since that time, we became grandparents. Charlie was born during the pandemic and got a late start in the world of dining. By age 3 she was a big fan of restaurant dining.  On a summer morning in 2024, Don and I picked up Charlie in Austin and drove her to Sugar Land. After 2.5 hours of driving, we announced we were going to stop at a restaurant before getting to the house. She was giddy. Greeting the Dragons Charlie already loved Japanese, Mexican and Indian food, but this might have been her first Chinese Restaurant outing.  She was delighted to say hello to the dragons. The fountain seemed to be missing some water, but she didn't notice. The Back Room The restaurant was fairly quiet on a Saturday at noon. We were greeted right away by staff. I'm assuming at least 1 or 2 were members of the Wang family who have owned the business since 1984.  An older gentleman ushered us to the back room, through the elaborate opening. Fish! The man ushered us to a corner table.
He gestured to the fish tank and it was clear he understood this would be good entertainment. It was! Efficient Our server brought menus right away. Maybe he mistook us for regulars because he seemed to think we knew what we wanted before we glanced.  It actually didn't take long to decide. Don and I got lunch specials, which began with soup. My Hot and Sour was hearty and flavorful. Egg Drop Share Poor Don only had a taste of his Egg Drop Soup. Charlie spotted it and thought it was queso.
The buttery flavor was nothing like queso, but she requested a taste and then went to town. She loved it! Egg Roll Time Don ordered the Shrimp with Vegetables. He was equally excited about his egg roll.  He was eager to try a new technique he'd learned about from some local food show. He sliced the crispy roll and opened it like a baked potato.  Then he flattened the steamy egg roll, before adding spicy mustard and sweet and sour sauce. No longer a finger food, but pretty fun! It looks like a sauerkraut sandwich in my photo! Sweet and Sour Chicken I ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken. It came with sauce on the side, just as my Kung Pao did 4 years ago.  I usually don't choose this dish, but it was a fall-back option in case Charlie didn't like her noodles. She ended up only stealing a little pineapple and a cherry from me. Kid Friendly Food There were a few good options on the kid's menu, for around 6 dollars. But Charlie is a fan of noodles, so we ordered Chicken Lo Mein from the regular menu.  Charlie looks like she's scalding her tongue. But honestly, it's just a funny expression. Her mother on the other hand, was the same age when she let out a bloodcurdling scream in a Chinese restaurant. The scary moment came after she poked her finger into a freshly deep-fried crab rangoon. Every guest gasped and the waiter ran to the table with ice. We have been cautious with little diners, since.     The noodles were a big hit! The only thing that would have made it better might have been... chopsticks. We just forgot to ask.  This is Charlie eating Japanese Gyoza when she was 2. Chopsticks is usually a part of the Chinese dining adventure! Heading Off I'll always remember our cozy meal in the back room of Hunan Garden. We had the space to ourselves, along with the goldfish. Charlie seemed so content in that private little world, as if she was a celebrity who needed to be away from adoring fans.  Our waiter complimented Charlie's good job. "You ate so much!" Charlie looked a tad embarrassed. A new facial expression was added to her repertoire, As we headed out into the main dining room, Charlie shielded her face with her hands, as the gracious staff waved goodbye. Before stepping outside, she asked for her sunnies and quickly covered her eyes like a disguised movie star. When we got in the car I asked how she liked the meal. "It was yummy!" she began, "But I was a little shy."
What a fun and funny meal. Charlie's first Chinese restaurant, on the day she became shy. |
The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
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