Chinese food!!!
from Orlando
Last night’s dinner and today’s lunch is mongolian beef, sauted snow pea tips, and the greatest pride of all of china probably: honey walnut shrimp.
Last night John and I drove to Orlando to attend a book signing for one of the cookbook authors I developed recipes for last year. It was a cute reason to trek into the big city for a night on the town: going to a Barnes and Noble, and then an empty restaurant 20 minutes before they closed.
East Garden is always packed, so I was surprised we had private dining room treatment last night. It didn’t take long to order because we were laser focused on one dish and one dish only, although we also ordered 2 other dishes. Everyone knows we are both bad at focusing.
If you’re unacquainted with honey walnut shrimp, it kinda feels like a dish created from a mad lib - fried shrimp tossed in mayo sauce, topped with *checks notes* candied walnuts, and served with steamed broccoli. It’s a Cantonese classic that just mysteriously works, and John and I both love Cantonese. We always quote Beetlejuice when it comes up, even though I don’t really like that movie (text me to discuss).
We also got snow pea tips (elite green) sauted in garlic, plus mongolian beef because we needed a beef. We drank hot tea and ate it all over perfect incredible magical steamed rice, learned our server used to live in Brooklyn too (Sheepshead bay), and the manager nicely gave me a cup of water to-go for our drive home.
When people ask what I miss about living in NY, aside from the general walking-around lifestyle, the answer is always Chinatown. Just for fun, here are a few pics from some great Chinatown meals over the years.
I tipped 30% last night since we stayed a little past closing, and we (I) got Twistee Treat (kiddie vanilla twirl with oreos and gummy bearsl plus at-home reddi wip) before watching the penultimate episode of the Great British Baking Show (no finale spoilers pls!). 10/10 perfect evening turned 10/10 perfect leftovers for lunch today.
Lately there are many strong contenders for my current favorite tangible thing, but I have to give credit to my very thoughtful father-in-law, who, after reading about our patio on the last edition of LD, sent us a beautiful tree to further adorn the space, as a first anniversary present. They say year one’s gift is paper, so this pre-paper is right on theme. I’ve yet to meet a John Murphy who isn’t great!
