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Food tastes better when you eat it with friends
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On Monday night, Alaia ordered tonkotsu ramen with extra bamboo shoots.
She took out her phone as she waited. She checked her email and local news sites. She checked her email again. Then her food came, steaming in the bowl, and her server told her to please be careful, as the soup was very hot.
The noodles were chewy, the meat was tender, and the broth was rich.
It was a good dinner.
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On Tuesday, Alaia had spicy miso ramen with an extra half egg.
She was sitting between a young family of three and a couple on their first date.
On one side, the boy was pushing for the girl to get extra pork. The girl decided to get extra tofu instead.
On the other side, the baby started crying, and his parents rushed to comfort him.
The place was loud, but it was warm, and people were smiling. The atmosphere made her smile too.
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On Wednesday, Alaia asked for yuzu shio ramen, no extra toppings necessary.
Two men sat at the table next to her. One of them asked the server about any vegetarian options. The server replied that all the soup bases contained chicken bones and pork, and the curry was made of chicken and beef broth, so his only choices would be the spicy tofu rice bowl or the salads.
The men left. Two more men took their places.
The citrus left a bad taste in her mouth.
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On Thursday, Alaia ate Tokyo shoyu ramen with a side order of fried tako balls.
She was seated next to a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter. They were talking about the daughter’s school. There had been a meeting for parents that morning. Mothers and fathers were concerned about parties. The girl told the man that he had nothing to worry about.
The tako balls were especially tasty.
Alaia left a big tip.
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On Friday, Alaia ordered pork katsu curry.
The customers were noisy. A bell jingled every time the door opened, and the servers and cooks shouted
greetings and gratitude as people came and went. Families talked. Friends chattered.
Her food arrived--thick, dark sauce over fluffy white rice, a small pile of shredded lettuce on the side, all
topped with a row of light, crispy cutlets.
She took a bite, and then another, and ate until the dish was clean.
She liked curry. It was comforting.
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On weekends, Alaia ate at home.
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On Monday, the week started over, and her meals had flavor again.
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Alaia ordered tonkotsu ramen with extra bamboo shoots.
The noodles were chewy, the meat was tender, and the broth was rich.
It was a good dinner.