vip in the city

Once burned, twice Thai

I could not resist another dinner at Sripraphai — my second. This time, SYB invited along our favorite Kiwi couple JD and MB. (The nickname for New Zealanders, by the way, comes from the national bird, not the fruit.)

We commandeered a fourtop out in the garden again, enjoying one of the first cool nights of autumn. On the menu tonight: the Crispy Chinese Watercress Salad and Drunken Noodles with Beef from last week. For variety, I added the Curried Softshell Crab with Pumpkin special of the evening. (I think I will always opt for pumpkin when it is offered.) JD chose the Tilapia Filets with Chili and Basil Leaves entree. And MB rounded out our dinner menu with the Jungle Curry with Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables.

It was my first real meal of the day.  So very delicious and — despite the fiery heat — oddly comforting. Again, “medium” spiciness was just spicy enough… and in fact, the Drunken Noodles kept our tongues tingling throughout the meal.

More creamy pumpkin custards (which I got to sample this time) and sweet coconut rice bundles wrapped in banana leaves at Chez B, over which I attempted to lose myself in the escapist pleasures of the Grey’s Anatomy season premiere (in HD.)

When I woke this morning, I did not know that this afternoon’s events would send me spiraling into a state of despair… re-examining all that has happened, doubting everything I thought I knew to be true. But life goes on.

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain…

— Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), “Dover Beach“

There's 1 comment so far ... Once burned, twice Thai

Qsoz
October 3, 2006

You’re quite punny. I’m sorry about that.
My favorite poem…

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, “Is it good, friend?”
“It is bitter – bitter”, he answered,
“But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart.”

– Stephen Crane (1871-1900), from “The Black Riders and Other Lines”

Go for it ...