Food = Happy ?

Isn’t it amazing how food can make things so much better? No, I’m not talking about gorging myself needlessly to make up for a greater problem in my life. I’m talking about how a good meal can actually erase an hour’s earlier memory of discontent—whether it be a bad grade or a fight with a co-worker. I remember in high school when a friend of mine came into the dining hall, fuming over a bad class session—once she got her food and began eating her entire demeanor changed—she had a smile on her face and was swinging her legs back and forth like a child whose legs can’t reach the ground. Likewise, today I had an extremely bad morning at work, annoyed with my boss, even contemplating what it would be like to find a new job. But then I ordered lunch, ate with some colleagues, enjoyed the food and conversation, and now I’m back at my desk a much happier, less spiteful person than I was just two hours ago.

So now you’re probably wondering what sort of food did you eat? It actually wasn’t that spectacular—from Saigon Grill, a good lunch ordering standby for us. Ordered the Bun Xao with beef and the Ga (chicken) Sate. The ga sate lacked somewhat in flavor and substance with the cucumbers and bean sprouts not being as plentiful as expected. The bun xao was good enough although the beef did seem somewhat dry but flavorful as ever. What pleased me most about the meal was the ginger iced tea—gingery and not overly sweet.

I guess in this case it was the company that put the experience in such a good light. And I do think that the company you have for a meal, and also the service you receive at a restaurant, can make all the difference in how much you enjoy your food. I mean, even a hot dog from a street vendor can seem like a royal feast if you’re in the right company, can’t it? And the sweetest dessert can taste sour if you’re saddened to tears.

Now, more about Saigon Grill: Vietnamese standby on the Upper West and Upper East sides with good lunch deals for the amount of food and, in most cases, quick delivery. Favorite dishes include xuong nong (pork chops)—usually succulent with that perfect combination of grilled smokiness and tangy sweetness from the nuoc cham sauce. Com Chien fried rice—the vegetables in this fried rice always seem to be fresh and with the addition of the nuoc cham sauce it’s never too dry. I’ve had the shrimp summer rolls here—if you’re seriously craving them you can get them although they don’t particularly satiate me.