I'll admit I've eaten at Republic (in NYC) and at Wagamama (in the UK) more than once, and had more-or-less satisfying meals. But this rant is hilarious, and pretty much right on the money. That said, lots of restaurants in the USA that are purely Thai or Chinese (or Indian, for that matter) also water down their dishes in hopes of appealing to Amerian palate. Going to a restauarant that serves the cuisine of just one nation doesn't ensure that the food you eat will be remotely like the same dishes as they are known in their homeland. There's also the phenomenon -- common in NYC, and elsewhere, I'm sure -- of Thai restaurants run by Thai and Chinese proprietors, or vice versa, so the menus offer dishes from both countries. In NYC there are also lots of Chinese take-out restaurants that offer American-style dishes such as fried chicken and french fries -- presumably because their clientele want it. So, the blame for the blurring of the lines and/or the blandification of the cuisine can't be solely laid on the Pan-Asian fuision places. Clearly, rice and noodles are cheap, and restauranteurs have figured out that they can maintain a high profit margin by making rice and noodles the staples of their menus. That's at the heart of these fusion places. Hell, ever been to the Italian-esque chain Pasta Pomodoro? I don't think it's representative of the way Italians really eat, but lots of Americans love it. At least the waitresses don't have to tie their hair back with sticks of dried linguine.
I went to Republic recently and very much enjoyed my meal there. In fact, I had some of the best, quickest service I've ever experienced.
Also, I don't have a problem with the Thai-Chinese. I AM a Thai-Chinese! My pau is a Thai-born Chinese. I also love the Cuban-Chinese. And the glatt-kosher Chinese. And even the cheap Mexican-Chinese where the Spanish rice is cooked in the huge rice cooker.
But if you (not you Adam, but you Diner) go to a restaurant where a gigantic buddha statue admires its image in the reflection pool, or the waitresses are clad in chinoiserie, and you STILL sit down to order some food, you have no one but yourself to blame if it turns out to be blah.
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My name is Ganda. What kind of name is France Gall?
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I'll admit I've eaten at Republic (in NYC) and at Wagamama (in the UK) more than once, and had more-or-less satisfying meals. But this rant is hilarious, and pretty much right on the money. That said, lots of restaurants in the USA that are purely Thai or Chinese (or Indian, for that matter) also water down their dishes in hopes of appealing to Amerian palate. Going to a restauarant that serves the cuisine of just one nation doesn't ensure that the food you eat will be remotely like the same dishes as they are known in their homeland. There's also the phenomenon -- common in NYC, and elsewhere, I'm sure -- of Thai restaurants run by Thai and Chinese proprietors, or vice versa, so the menus offer dishes from both countries. In NYC there are also lots of Chinese take-out restaurants that offer American-style dishes such as fried chicken and french fries -- presumably because their clientele want it. So, the blame for the blurring of the lines and/or the blandification of the cuisine can't be solely laid on the Pan-Asian fuision places. Clearly, rice and noodles are cheap, and restauranteurs have figured out that they can maintain a high profit margin by making rice and noodles the staples of their menus. That's at the heart of these fusion places. Hell, ever been to the Italian-esque chain Pasta Pomodoro? I don't think it's representative of the way Italians really eat, but lots of Americans love it. At least the waitresses don't have to tie their hair back with sticks of dried linguine.
I went to Republic recently and very much enjoyed my meal there. In fact, I had some of the best, quickest service I've ever experienced.
Also, I don't have a problem with the Thai-Chinese. I AM a Thai-Chinese! My pau is a Thai-born Chinese. I also love the Cuban-Chinese. And the glatt-kosher Chinese. And even the cheap Mexican-Chinese where the Spanish rice is cooked in the huge rice cooker.
But if you (not you Adam, but you Diner) go to a restaurant where a gigantic buddha statue admires its image in the reflection pool, or the waitresses are clad in chinoiserie, and you STILL sit down to order some food, you have no one but yourself to blame if it turns out to be blah.