Was driving around Santa Monica last night with Mindy, trying to find an Indonesian restaurant that had been recommended to us, when hunger wins out and we finally decide to broaden our palates for the night. Good thing, too–we ended up at a small Damascan joint called Sham. Full of ambiance and good food. Grilled/stewed eggplant with tomato, bell pepper, and rich spice… Slow roasted lamb that was as tender as chicken. The obligatory yogurt-cucumber-mint salad. Getting hungry again as I think about it.
All of my TactLang-related studies came to nothing, though, as I didn’t dare utter a “shukran” or “marhaba” as I talked to the waiter–why am I comfortable talking in Spanish or Chinese, but not Arabic? I need to be more daring.
Oh, and Bassam emails me out of the blue tonight, too (even before he heard about our dinner last night), recommending we try Mandaloun in Glendale.
Life feels fractal. Why all this middle-eastern food and culture and friends all of a sudden in this past half-year? Was it really around me all this much in the past, or am I just more aware of it now that I’m researching Arabic language pedagogy? Strange…
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haha… i know of the indonesial place you speak of… it’s called “Indo Cafe” and it’s located at very strange place… basically it’s on National Blvd at the point where National makes a 90 degree hairpin turn. There’s a Thai restaurant nearby, a magazine store, and a pizza place next door, I believe. Keep trying to find it. =) It’s well worth it. And it has the best satay I’ve ever had on any continent. And when you’re there, call me up and let me know because I live about..mm… less than 5 minutes away from there. =) Bon appetite!