Most of my friends and family know that Harvey's in the
hospital. We've been in Seattle for five days so far. I've tried all the food
that I want to within walking distance.
As you might guess, the cafeteria food is not anywhere near the
top of any list I've ever made of delicious food. However, the hospital
espresso isn't bad at all. Pretty good, actually. And, to be fair, cafeteria
breakfast was just fine...but breakfast is hard to mess up, I think.
All the meals I've had outside of the hospital have been within
walking distance. I've eaten a couple of meals at University Village (Elemental Pizza and Boom Noodle) and I had a
couple of meals at Agua Verde Cafe.
All were good...my favorite of those was Elemental Pizza, but I would happily
go to all of them again.)
Today I decided to venture a little further than walking
distance for a good meal. I did a phone search and found a couple of places
that piqued my curiosity, but ended up at Thai Tom (they
apparently don't have a website of their own.)
When I found it, I saw that the sign said open, but it was dark
and I couldn't tell much from the outside. When I opened the door -- there was
a-whole-nother world inside!
The restaurant was long and narrow. It held an L-shaped counter
with bar stools. Behind the counter was a stove, a table, a fridge and
there must've been a dishwasher and sink that I couldn't see from where I
sat. Against the other wall were four tables for two.
The host greeted me quickly and motioned for me to sit at the
counter. Being sensitive to "space issues," I asked if I could sit on
the smaller end of the "L"... He said "yes" but looked as
if he questioned that decision. As soon as I got there, I realized why. I could
feel the flame from the stove. The cook was flingin’ pots around and pouring sauces
and throwing ingredients. I moved back to the recommended spot – squished
between two people.
The cook didn’t stand still even for a moment. The flames on the
stove leapt left and right calming down only every-so-often. The cook's
assistant did his own dance as he prepared condiments and took away dirty pots
(which he passed to the
dishwasher/drink-maker/refrigerator-loader/retriever)... All three people
behind the counter had developed a rhythm and things were flowin’.
I had entered an entirely different universe than the one I left
at the hospital. And, it was a wonderful escape. I lost myself in the mayhem
and almost forgot that my husband was in the hospital.
After not-very-many-minutes, I received THE.VERY.BEST Pad Thai I
have ever eaten -- not to dry, not too wet. It held within it the perfect
combination of garlic, peanuts and spice. My mouth was happy.
A small crowd gathered outside the door and worked their way
inside. The host fussed at them and said, "Wait outside!" When
questioned, his reply was, "Get out! I will call you."
Sure enough, seats opened up and those "youngsters"
found a spot at the counter or at a table. They must’ve known that the food was
worth the scolding.
In the meantime, people, who I guessed to be the owners, came in
with supplies. The hustle didn’t stop. Food ordering, flame hopping, people gathering
continued. And, it all happened in a teeny tiny space.
When it was all over for me, I left and, as I was walking out
the door, the host called in the next party. I turned to the other two people
waiting outside and said, "That was fun!" They laughed. I figured
they knew what I meant.
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