Lunch with friends
at the newly open 24 hour diner in Taipei
(R) Cousin Cindy from San Francisco, Me, Steven from Utah, Jack, Owen and Owen's sister, Jamila, from Chicago
Not too long ago, most people in Taipei knew nothing about bagels. When New York Bagels first established in Taipei (in a not-so-easy-to-find location), foreign residents and people who have lived abroad couldn't believe it! They flocked to the joint and brought friends over to support the business. Word of mouth is a magical way to spread any news. I was there so often that I became friends with the owner and his girlfriend who was the manager at the time. They were supposed to get married...Anyway, six years later, New York Bagels not only survived but also expanded its operation. In June, 2004, a 24-hour American diner is born!
Of course I have to show my support for the new location. So I asked my friend Jack to meet me there for lunch. He's a perfect candidate - his office is only 10 mins. away by foot. Then my cousin called me. Cindy is visiting from San Francisco for two weeks. So I invited her to come along.
The last time my friend Owen called me up, he said, "Hey! We should meet up soon. My sister is visiting from Chicago!"
I was like, "Great! Set it up. We'll go out and party!"
Well, six weeks went by. He never called until the night before his sister was ready to return to the US. So I asked Owen to bring his sister to our group lunch. I wanted to meet her like weeks ago!
Overall, the food was good. My chocolate milkshake would have been better if it was thicker. Steven ordered a burger and it was tiny! It was the smallest burger I've ever seen in my life! So I mentioned it to the waiter who didn't know what to say to that. He disappeared for awhile. When he came back, he said that he'll bring us another one - complimentary from the boss.
Steven didn't want it, saying he was full.
I was like, "Dude, it's free lunch. You're going to take it. I'll help you with that. How can you say no to free food?!"
I remember back in high school, my friend Monica would invite me to go eat with her in the mall. She didn't hit the food court. Oh no...she would go straight to a restaurant and order something expensive. Then just about half way thru her meal, she would ask to speak with the manager on duty, complaining that the food wasn't up to her standard and how she's had it before when it was better and blah blah blah.
As a result, I'd be the only person paying for the meal because her meal was complimentary. She was so good at scheming restaurants. And it worked every time! So who says there's no free lunch in this world?!
