Funny. How I Often I Forget...

...just how lucky I am to live in the same apartment with my closest friends. Funny too, how infrequently we see one another despite sharing either sides of a bedroom wall. I have to remind myself these things from time to time, lest I take them, and our very wonderful living situation, for advantage.

Shann and Darien leave tomorrow for Hawai'i, and Steph leaves a week later. You appreciate home so much more when it's freeezing over here in NYC. It's been a while since just the four of us have dined together, so we met up at Lam Zhou (thanks to Robyn for introducing this spot!) this evening. Hot soups. Hand pulled-noodles. Dumplings. Yes.


We were all last here a few months ago for Shann's birthday - boy does time fly quick. Decision making is easy. Noodle soups all around - Dumpling Noodles for Darien and I...

...Beef Brisket Noodles for Shann...

...and Fish Ball Noodles for Steph.

Lam Zhou has become noticeably more crowded since they've posted a full English translation of the menu.

The increase of diners are, as you can probably guess, of a very different demographic from prior months. Not surprising, given how much blog/media coverage it recently received. Part of me is a sad to see so many hipsters crowd the restaurant on a Friday evening. But in the end, this place is most certainly deserving of more business.

$4.50 bowls of noodles sounds about right. Cheap dinners are often the most satisfying. We followed the meal with a stop at Hon Cafe. Milk tea, red bean bolo baos, and sponge cake. I lack the proper words to note just how lovely this simple evening was. Shann, Steph, and Darien may as well be family as far as I'm concerned. By the way, I don't think you've meet them before! Time for a proper introduction.

Shann. We've lived together for nearly two years - first on the Lower East Side, and now, the East Village. She's a graphic designer and has been with me through a lot of crap and good stuff. A lot. I would trust my life with this girl :)

Steph. We baked Kelly's graduation cake together. We had long phone chats throughout college. She knits! She introduced me to yoga. We're antique and flea markets shoppings buddies. And her room looks like a little clothing boutique.

Darien. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese. She's currently mastering Korean. Chinese is next on her agenda. And I don't know anyone who loves red bean bolo baos as much as her. Can you say incredible?

And there you have it. Some really good food, and even better friends.

Ok, it's off to sleep for me now...don't think this week could have been any more draining.

Happy Friday/Saturday!
Shann and Darien: have a safe flight!

Lan Zhou Hand Made Noodles
144 East Broadway
New York, NY 10002
(212) 566-6933