When, at various indelicate moments, nights two and three of camping along the Inca Trail began to feel two nights too long, I dreamed of creature comforts that would soon be mine again. I longed for modern plumbing, bien sûr. But I also drew some comfort from planning the meal I would have upon returning to New York City: Chinese food delivery from Goodies. Because I am my father's daughter, I'd have to have at least four items -- soup dumplings, braised spare ribs, dry sauteed string beans, and a noodle dish. Unfailingly, I'd feel a tad sheepish that I'd spent over $40 on Chinese food for one, but I'd get over it quickly.
When I got home yesterday, I readied myself for this eagerly anticipated dinner date. I showered for something like two hours, fumigated my clothes, went to the bank for cash (which would be reported to the IRS, I'm sure), donned pajamas, and called Goodies...and got an answering machine informing me that Goodies has been closed as of April 30 and inviting me to leave my number so they could call once they find a new location. Confused, I called again. And again. It's possible I called a fourth time; I was distraught. I hope they don't have Caller ID.
First Florent, then Mei Lai Wah, now Goodies. As I'd done the previous night, I crawled into my sleeping bag and cried* a little.
*Lest I take too much blogging license, Peru was awesome.
The braised spare ribs and the soup dumplings were the best. The soup dumplings were as good if not even better than Joe's Shanghai, the supposed benchmark by which all other soup dumplings are judged by. Goodies also cooked an excellent pork shoulder dish. The marbled meat over a plate of steaming hot white rice reminds me of perfect home cooking. (Yes, white rice, for all you carb haters out there, brown rice and Chinese food is just plain wrong)
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