cheers*

thai food, you’ve been letting me down lately. and i’ve been such a devoted fan. always there with a smile, ready to eat you, so welcoming of all your peanuts and bamboo shoots. but i have to say, you’ve been letting me down. 

oh sure, there was always kai kai kai kai, so trusty and reliable for soaking up the alcohol on those long nights on avenue a, migrating between drop-off, hi-fi, and niagara. that free mango icee i got that one time was pretty cool. but let’s face, we’ll never be more than drinking buddies.

there’s sea thai too, where husband took me for my birthday last year. you were delicious, and shiny, and i thought we could be friends. but ultimately, you were just too hip for me – all the trendy crowds interfered with my ability to peacefully enjoy your yummy vermicelli noodles. though i have to admit, the reflecting pool is pretty sweet. and a bench swing at the bar? i dig it.

so i went across the street, to your more cozy neighbor, chai thai. what can i say chai, we haven’t had good luck, you and i. the first time i went, i had a bite of husband’s pad thai and it was so delicious, i ordered my own. but i didn’t order the fly that came with it, and your wait staff was at a loss when i asked them to remove the big buzzing garnish. they even tried to charge me for it! but you’d been there for my other friends, so i was willing to give you a second chance. after all, everyone deserves one, right? alas, you’ve disappointed me again for what may be the last time. yes, your spring rolls were perfectly done. i couldn’t have asked for better. and your prices – right up my alley. you were supposed to be so good. but our entrees? they were so bad. this time, my pad thai was, thankfully, fly-free; but it mysteriously tasted too strongly of lighter fluid for me to enjoy it. i’m sorry, chai, but i’m going to have to let you go. it’s with a heavy heart, because i know you can be good – for other patrons, at least, but it seems, not for me.

so what do i do now? my stomach is grumbling, and i can’t concentrate on my brief (twelve pages…due monday…eep!)

but then, almost lost amid the scramble of papers on my desk, promising deliciousness and fulfillment, it’s a cheers menu! i may find gastronomical satisfaction yet!

quickly i hit the speed-dial. your friendly staff is so eager to feed me! they threaten forty minutes…but you’re at my door in twenty-five! sweet, crispy spring rolls, delicious pad thai, my favorite mixed vegetable curry, only slightly spicy and full of lots of veggies, husband’s standard pad see eu…even a rich, indulgent thai iced tea from time to time. i order enough food to last for days, and still you leave me with money left over.

cheers, you may not be shiny, or trendy, or hip, but you are tasty and reliable, and always willing to deliver. and you accept credit cards.

now i can finally get back to that memo, my faith in thai food reaffirmed. if only my homework, also, would resolve itself with a happy ending.

i remain…

---