I hit Maydan Market last night. We did the tasting at Yhing Yhang, Holy Basil’s ode to Thai BBQ. Food was fantastic. The Anchovy tartine was huge, possibly the bite of the year. At $65 it’s also a contender for deal of the year.
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Agreed. That first bite is so good. Umami, sour, spicy, crunchy all the flavors all the textures
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Do you think you would have received the same treatment if you had gone convincingly-disguised as an unknown random person?
Do you mean because I know @CFu I was given preferential treatment. 
Seriously I have seen A list celebrities waiting in line at Anajak…
They treat everyone well.
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This is what matters. Thanks!
p.s.: I think you and yours get treated exceptionally (read: abnormally) well at many spots for multiple reasons, including but not limited to:
- repeat patronage
- you have a habit of saying only positive things online about the places you visit
- you’re willing to spend $$$
- yeah, you do know some VIPs (and, quite frankly, are one yourself (see surrounding reasons))
- you’re a nice guy.
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Thank you, that is very nice of you to say.
Just calling it as I see it, Robert. Cheers!
Robert understands better than just about anyone that there should ideally be a relationship between restaurant and diner, with responsibilities and generosity on both sides. It’s very important.
I’m not a VIP at all and I bring my toddler with me to Anajak and the service is lovely (as is the food). I think you pay a premium (relative to other Thai spots) at Anajak, but it’s well worth it.
Am curious to hear your lists of
- Diner “shoulds”
- Restaurant “shoulds”
- Diner “responsibilities”
- Restaurant “responsibilities”
Also curious to hear how you define “relationship” and “generosity” in this context.
Just traveling with phone, so no long answers gonna happen. This is for places one goes/wants to go more than once in a long while, talking about regular or at least repeat.
Most is obvious: diner should be on time, not over ask, order enough to make themselves not a suck on resources, be patient and understanding on off or busy nights, bring friends, recommend, come on off nights or off times sometimes, not expect special treatment but be greatful when you get it, be gracious, respect a restaurant’s comfort zone. Restaurant should do all usual hospitality plus there should be special considerations like allowing or waving corkage, booking directly if that’s not usually possible, choice tables, remember specific likes and dislikes, remembering how you like to be served (attentive or leave me alone) These are examples and thoughts, not a manifesto.
I think diners shouldn’t have a mindset of “this is all for me, and whatever is comfortable for me is correct.” Whether that’s respecting a dress code or not asking for too much many variations. Generosity of purse and spirit.
Edited because an example just came up. We juat arrived at our favorite ryokan. We had requested a d expected our usual room, but someone else, a first time guest had also requested it. We said “don’t worry, we’ll take the small room, we have stayed in the big room before and will again.” In other words, let us make your lives easier.
Edited again to add that, upon checking out, they allowed us to book for Dec next year even though tbey have only 4 rooms and normally
a strict 1 year to the day booking policy.
Could either 9f those things have happened without the other? Sure. It’s not a quid pro quo. I call this a relationship.
I do think it’s good to have opinions and reviews from the perspective of a random couple who visits the first time vs. someone treated more like a recognized Michelin inspector or Times food critic. Most times, the experience will be different to some degree.
I can’t predict how much my life will change by now having a Taqueria Frontera 1056 steps from my front door, but I’m willing to find out.
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It is sure to improve. Taco wise annyway.
That parking lot/intersection sucks. When this place gets popular and parking spaces disappear, may the force be with you.
Oh yeah. The Fletcher/Glendale/Silver Ridge/Astro/Whole Foods/Car Wash/I-5 interchange is a nightmare. Luckily it’s a walk for me.
So you’re saying we can park at your place? 
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Just park in front of the Little Library, and leave your keys in the car in case my wife needs to get to dance class.
Oh cool, valet service!
I am going to be in LA at the end of December, and was thinking of bringing some old Baroli (well, oldish – probably 1996/1997). Any strong recommendations for restaurants to go with them - i will be dining solo so not too worried about reservations this far in advance. A google search resulted in Osteria Mozza as a possibility, so curious to know if people have been there recently, and of course other recommendations. And if others want to get together with some old baroli around that time, I could be persuaded…