First of all, I like how the service works here. Depending on where you go, they may or may not have a menu. Last night, for example, Scott and I went to this curry restaurant and they did have a menu (with English! hurray!). One weird thing is, they put your menu down and then expect that you'd be ready in a matter of seconds, they just wait there. Which, I guess is okay most of the time, especially when you're hungry, as they get your order in pronto. Then, after your order is in they only bother you to refill your drink. This is what I like about the service. They don't come over all the time, or ask you how your food is (no need, it's delicious, and I wouldn't understand them anyway). But if your drink is empty, they are ON top of it. Like, almost too much. Sometimes, you have a new beer before you even had a chance to say you didn't want it (I don't really mind!). When it gets to the point where you really don't want another, you just have to be on top of it after you've finished so when they come over you can say no aggressively.
Usually, and last night especially, our food comes out SUPER fast. Things like our goat curry we had last night are obviously prepared in advance because the meat is braised. So, I can only assume they have it all ready back there. Either way, it's great. Then, when you are finished eating, they don't come around and see if you're done or ask if you want your check, or even drop off your check at all unless you request it. I know from my way too many years of waitressing that people in the US expect their server to come and see if you want your check and whatnot BUT I'd rather just be able to call my server over and get my check exactly when I want. There is always someone standing nearby so all you have to do is put your hand up and signal for the check and bam, there it is. And up until that point, you don't feel like you are being rushed out of the restaurant. You can stay and nurse your drinks for hours!
And then, aside from service, Vietnamese restaurants are loud and energetic. Vietnamese people are so social and vibrant. It reminded me of the many times working at Massimo's in Bangor when people would complain that the restaurant was too loud. Oh, I'm sorry, all of these other people eating and enjoying themselves are ruining your dinner? I didn't realize you were so much more important than everybody else, my mistake. In Vietnam, that's the norm. People are out to dinner to enjoy themselves. And they just talk loud, all the time, everywhere. At any point in the day but especially at night there are always groups of people enjoying coffee or tea with friends at a cafe. They socialize and hang out ALL the time and its awesome. They also aren't afraid to just start talking to you - they love us expats - but sometimes they don't speak English so we just nod and smile. Scott usually gets free liquor because he's a guy (so unfair).
My point here is, America, you need to loosen up when you go out to eat. You're supposed to be enjoying yourself and having fun. If you're going to get all huffy about noise or having to call your server over yourself, then please just stay home and you won't have to get all worked up about it!
Nuoc Mia, or Sugarcane Juice - they are juicing my sugarcane!
Finished product (so delicious) ... and I like the little pokemon on my bag
Scott totally didn't know I took this picture but this is us eating seafood in the street!
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