this my belly loves

Ever since I can remember, this has been my favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. Before I continue, I know you are thinking, "Girl, you really need to get out more!" Trust me. I do. A lot. My tongue has experienced culinary deliciousness all over MN and even remote places in England and Wales. But this is the place I always go back to. This is the only place that can satisfy that deep craving, that quiets my begging, pleading brain. Two simple things: Egg rolls and fish sauce. No one else makes them like they do here. No one. I have searched and scoured and been sadly disappointed. I kinda feel like it's similar to lasagna. The basic concept is the same, but everyone's recipe tastes just a little differently than the next.

Which makes me think that the appeal is more than just the food although the food is the primary motivator. Maybe it's the ambiance. Uptown is a pretty unique place. I love to people watch. And the surrounding businesses can be quite entertaining as well. Back in the day when I was younger (much younger), I remember looking out the window of the restaurant and staring directly at Condom Kingdom. I had no idea what that place was but it sure piqued my interest. A kingdom? Are there kings and queens there, I wondered? Maybe I asked my parents, I can't remember. Or maybe I got distracted by the lady trying to parallel park outside the window like it was bumper cars. Forward (crash)-reverse(dent)-forward (bigger crash)-reverse(oops, but yay, I'm in!).

Maybe it was because I brought the special people in my life there. Family. Friends. Boyfriends. Future husband. Maybe it was a sort of a trial to see if they would pass the "Do You Love It As Much As I Do Or This Relationship Cannot Continue" test. I'm not 100% sure of many things in life, but I would bet the farm that there is a special connection between good memories and the taste buds.

Whatever the case, I openly admit that nostalgia runs high for me when I am there. But so do my salivary glands. When the egg rolls are place in front of me and I drown them in a sea of the special fish sauce, I can't help but think that this plate in front me, what I am about to consume, is more proof that God loves me and wants me to be happy. So very happy.