elainegrey

Some weeks ago i was sad and frustrated about the lost pleasure of eating out, which is both a relocation issue as well as more recently the pandemic.

( Whiny background )

I reflected one day that half my problem is Christine's ... rigidity, let's say ... around some of the choices. I think i might enjoy more places that she does. So. i could try getting lunches just for me and not be constrained by her range. And the other issue is pandemic normalization. What's a reasonable expectation for quality, quantity at a certain price?

My plan is to do a take out lunch once a week to try to find places that delight me, that i can then use as rewards or treats in the future.

This week, i'm counting the take out we got on Tuesday night.

$16.50 (8.25 x2) Buddha Delight with shrimp: Broccoli, Mushrooms, Carrots, Snow Peas, Onion, Napa, Water Chestnuts, Bamboo Shoots, baby corn and bell peppers in Ginger Brown Sauce.

This might actually be a good baseline. The flavor was just fine, the veggies fresh (if possibly from frozen), and the shrimp delicious. It was satisfying, and, despite the expense, it was two meals. On the other hand, it wasn't an exciting dish, but in my reach. One thing i would never want to try to replicate at home was the slight breading on the shrimp - like they were fried before being added to the vegetable melange. The dish is not something i would be able to use as motivator (not that i'm certain food can act as a motivator). There does lie the uncertainty whether the sauce might contain beef or chicken stock, but not at the level of the dipping sauce for the appetizer i bought. So baseline.

Sadly, the restaurant is a little too far for me to pick something Christine wouldn't pick as a lunch that might be a little more inspiring.