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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

My Heart Will Go On... Maybe

If you were a normal person, it would be bad news. For the Rowley's, it is devastating. And for my visiting family members, why they may never return to Aunt Lynn's.

It is with a heavy heart, although possibly a shrinking waistline, that I announce that Thin Pan Thai Restaurant will be closing its doors in Kirkland.

For those poor infidels who have never tasted the the life-changing green beans, the Crying Tiger Salad which makes you weep with joy, and of course, the center of every meal I've ever enjoyed there: the Red Curry with Chicken, you can't understand. You don't know why I feel the need to play Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor, tear my clothes, and run through the streets screaming that the sky is falling.

There are two ways to find comfort during this dark time:

1. I have great memories there with dear friends and family members. Some highlights:

  • Taking Brian there for the first time as a young teenager. Me, nervous that my Big Mac loving son couldn't appreciate the complex flavors. And then watching him fall in love with the Thin Pan noodles that would become his trademark.
  • Wrangling Madison long enough to try to enjoy dinner with Corey and Karine and tipping heavily after the waitress had to clean up cups of rice from on and under the table.
  • Discovering that it was our good friends favorite place too and then spending the evening enjoying eachother's favorite menu items (and dressing alike in the bargain!),
  • Take out with Megan and Shane. (We learned from the whole Madison experience that The Thin Pan was probably not ready for Hank) Meg, I lost a little respect for you when you couldn't handle the heat of the Crying Tiger, but no one appreciates a spinach wrap like you girl.
  • Last month when many of the Beagley gang (those who stay up later than 8:15) closed down the joint. The food and company was so fabulous... truly one of my best restaurant experiences ever.

2. I still have at least six weeks to pound as much Thin Pan as possible... who's with me???

This is a picture of thai food not made at Thin Pan. I spit on it in disdain.

I should also draw comfort from the fact that there is talk of moving the restaurant to Seattle, but this to me feels a bit like salt in the wound. Because let's face it: we discovered this restaurant because of my early evening laziness. If I don't feel like cooking, can you really see me schlepping back to Seattle during rush hour for dinner?

How will I get through September? My favorite restaurant on the planet is closing. Oh, and that's right my son leaves for two years... What will I do without my Red Curry with Chicken?

9 comments:

The Johnson's said...

(Picture me fully clothed in my shower, crouched on the floor in the fetal position as the water beats down on me) NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Why have I been singled out for the greatest suffering the world has ever known? Thin Pan, you used me like a meth dealer uses 4th
graders, reeling me in with your curry and wraps, feeding my addiction and burning my tongue until no other food will satisfy. Like Huey, I gotta find a new drug..

Anonymous said...

hahahaha long live thin pan!!!!!! soooooo good!! maybe a little above the Big Mac in quality...... but not much with its two juicy all-beef patties, its scrumchulescent special sauce that oozes into the gullet with every bite, the crisp and fresh lettuce that adds that special crunch, the completely non-rubbery cheese that melt its your mouth (i think its coated with a special non-stick material that adds a little kick) the pickles (i take off), the diced freshed walla walla sweet onions that are grown in the back freezer on site at every mcdonalds, and the exquisite sesame seed bun. really nothing compares, except thin pan and even then the Big Mac conquers all!!! love ya mom!!! i feel your pain.

-Brian

Lisette said...

Well it makes perfect sense that they would be moving to Seattle because rumor has it that is where all the cool people are heading :) Just another great reason to come to the other side of the lake. I too am so very sad, but I will have to get you a real pictures of the those green beans. I am planning on cracking the recipe on those bad boys, wanna come over and help me?

Anonymous said...

very funny post!!! I am sad for you as I can understand the days where you just don't want to cook! :)

Anonymous said...

May I just take a moment to express my deep gratitude that I chose to be one of the wise ones who stayed up past 8:15 to be a part of the Beagley group that evening. It was my first time to experience Thai food and they say you never forget your first! It was a wonderful introduction to Thai food, so good, in fact, that I am concerned about taking Michael out for Thai in case we hit a place that just isn't as good! Thank you for the grand introduction!

Anne

Carly said...

My mouth is watering. I will have to drag somebody there before it closes..too bad my husband doesn't appreciate the ethnic taste.

Derek and Emily said...

I have never experienced the Thin Pan so I don't know what you're going through, but I wish you luck with moving on.

On another subject, the other day Derek and I were talking about Ethan and wondering what he would be like when he grows up. Derek said, "I hope he's like Brian Rowley, a nice kid but still tough and cool". I thought that was so cute and a good description of your son.

Anonymous said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Karine said...

No biggie. Excuse me while I go take a bubble bath.....with a toaster!! Are you freakin kidding me?? What have I done to the universe to deserve such treatment?
We must get a petition started to save Thin Pan. In our effort to save our favorite resteraunt we can have bake sales, car washes, auctions, and if it comes to it....yes I will sell myself. It is all for the red curry! Oh, sweet nectar of the Gods!