Eating with a spoon
We had dinner at Thai Landing in Mount Vernon recently, and I noticed that the tables were all set with a fork and a spoon.
If I had noticed the spoon before, I must have thought it was for serving or something, but now I know better because ...
...of Robyn's post.
Here's how she describes it:
I lived in Thailand for 6 months and Thai people eat with a spoon. They also use a fork but it is to get the food on the spoon.
I could be wrong, but I think Thai Landing is the only restaurant I've been to around here that sets the tables with a spoon for authenticity. I admire the restaurant for it, although I've never actually seen anyone eat with a fork and spoon at Thai Landing the way Robyn described. I hate to think of all those unused spoons getting washed over and over again for no reason.
(Kenneth K. Lam/Sun photographer)
Comments
How interesting! I, like many other Americans, simply assume that chopsticks would be in order.
Posted by: Richard Crystal, Baltimore | January 9, 2008 8:50 AM
No need to wash them.
Saliva is an adequate disinfectant.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | January 9, 2008 9:00 AM
When I lived in Portland, OR there was a very authentic street style thai food restaurant - www.pokpokpdx.com - They used spoonos in the same manner and actually printed instructions on the menu because so many people were asking. It works great with noodles or papaya salad.
Posted by: mcattrone | January 9, 2008 11:06 AM
Sam makes an excellent point. Especially if that saliva has a high alcohol content. It's practically sterile if you do it right.
Posted by: jl | January 9, 2008 1:47 PM
Other Southeast Asian countries use spoon and fork as well instead of chopsticks (chopsticks are a Chinese, North Asian cultural influence). I've lived in the Philippines for awhile and I've never used chopsticks.
Posted by: Eric | January 9, 2008 1:59 PM
You could solve the problem and use a spork like they have at Popeyes!
Posted by: Fairfax | January 9, 2008 3:18 PM
I would have thought that the restaurant critic for a major metropolitan newspaper would know that some SouthEast Asian cuisines utilize a fork and spoon.
Now I do. :-)
Posted by: Jay C. | January 9, 2008 4:44 PM
Remind me not to accept a dinner invitation to Sam Sessa's house! LOL
Posted by: Rob | January 10, 2008 10:35 AM