…then I’m not doing so well at life.
I really wanted a cheeseburger and waffle fries because Granite City has this sour cream dip and it’s one of my favorite things to eat. But Chris wanted to try a new restaurant, Ichiddo Ramen, for our date night for January and that was going to be a ramen restaurant.
My parents came over to watch the kids last Sunday afternoon since I wasn’t sure how Emelia would be in the evening for my parents without being able to nurse her.
The extent of my Japanese cuisine was Maruchan ramen noodle soup, Orange Chicken, and yum yum sauce. Not really. But I’ve never had real ramen before, so I scoped the menu beforehand and saw they had Gyoza and Char Siu Pork Bun (which was pork belly, Japanese mayo, their house-made sauce, and lettuce on a steam bun. Oh yes, I could get on board with this.
Chris had ramen soup and I had stir fry ramen with chicken. It was one of those restaurants where you get really sad when your food’s gone.
I saw they only had chopsticks, so I decided to take one for the team and not ask for a fork unless the noodles were driving me crazy. And guess what? I used them for my entire meal. I’ve only ever played with chopsticks for a moment until switching to a fork, so this was a big accomplishment for me. I didn’t give up, even when the waiter saw me using them, probably way incorrectly, and quietly placed a fork next to my plate. Well, joke’s on him because I didn’t need it, SUCKA!
Which then, of course, makes me roll my eyes a little, but I foresee more ramen and chopsticks in my future.
We saw Star Wars afterward and I had some ridiculously expensive chocolate covered pretzels, but the movie was SO GOOD. I had worn my new cardigan and boots and had makeup on. There’s something about these date nights (or afternoons) that make me feel put together, because them I came home and the next day looked like this:
At least I’m wearing an actual shirt?
In other fashion news, Olivia’s dress-up wardrobe came last Monday as well. I ordered it on Zulily for $17 and one temper tantrum near this baby will probably blast this thing into the 48 pieces it came with, but she was so excited, so we’ll see how long it lasts.
Adorable! (You, Emilia, the dressing-up storage, everything…) Date nights/afternoons so important and it sounds like you had a great time.
Author
I know. It’s something we try so hard to prioritize. Plus, it’s so much fun getting out to a new place!
Oooh, that food looked great. I LOVE gyoza. And you’ll be a chopstick pro in no time! I’ve been using chopsticks since I was 17, but still on my trip last year to east Asia, I struggled when I was given very thin, steel (ie slippery), narrow rectangular-tipped (that needed to be in exactly the right parallel position to work) chopsticks, that took me a while to get used to. I was mortified to be asked if I needed a fork!
Love the photos.
Author
Gyoza = perfection. I’m thinking I need to get some for home because I found some ramen stir fry recipes to try! And I’m cracking up because I felt that American in the restaurant who needed a fork but I prevailed.
MMMMMM that looks so tasty! And I think you look beautiful in that picture. I almost always forget to take pictures of us when we’re gussied up, so I’m left with a bunch of awkward pajama selfies. Huzzah for chopsticks chops (ha, ha ha ha) and that dress-up wardrobe is awesome!
Author
I’m cracking up because that’s so me. Probably why I don’t have a lot of photos of myself.
This post made me hungry for ramen. Looks so yummy!
Author
I know. I’m craving it again.