9 Comments

This is a wonderful read, even though I can't go there and order the food right now/today/soon. The human part, the story of the place, is an essential ingredient, not a frill, not a distraction. Anybody can say "lots of meat in the stir-fry" or "save room for dessert!" but the people and place make it a story, worth reading not skimming for dinner plans. Which you know, of course. I have pre-ordered your book and cannot wait to see the gorgeous moving cover up close and dive in to the pages. Thankful you are here often cause Pub Day is a ways down the road and waiting is not easy for me...,!!!

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Mar 15, 2022Liked by illyanna Maisonet

Made me miss my parents’ restaurant in mill valley!

My handle: kavin.lam

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author

Is the restaurant still open?

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Mar 15, 2022Liked by illyanna Maisonet

Yeah! Takeout only now—interesting demo served, mostly Hispanic laborers/gardeners at lunch and the families they serve at dinner. Lam’s Kitchen

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oh man...that photo is incredible. i am so hungry right now. this ham sandwich ain't cutting it. it's always interesting too, to see the regional differences. here in new england (and specifically MA/RI) that would be lo mein. our chow mein is a cornstarch heavy saucy stir fry that's served with a little wax paper satchel of crunchy noodles.

and i have to agree with nancie - frankly, food descriptions are nice but, ultimately they're both subjective and infinitely interchangeable. the interesting stuff, the important stuff, the REAL stuff IS the story behind it all. the people, the connections. i'm sure it's fine line depending on the intended audience, but to me this was just right.

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founding

Why do your posts always make me cry? From laughter, from nostalgia, love all of this. Thank you for continuing to share <3.

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Just read this!!!! Great article. The family owned businesses are my fave.

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I’m a paid subscriber and love the CA views! Instagram emilyweber

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I loved this. Also if I still lived in California, not in the English countryside I'd already be getting in the car...

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