As a recovering vegetarian, there are a number of things that I have yet to tackle.  I can now successfully -and surprisingly - cross sushi off my list.  I still have not smashed ground beef into a burger with my bare hands as I am still getting used to touching meat with my fingers period, but I have now indulged in the uber-trendy raw fish eating ritual that all the rest of you hip Americans (not to mention Japanese) have been enjoying for  what seems like ages… which also begs the question, when is sushi no longer a trend and instead a staple?

Last Saturday I checked out Fu Man Chu in Maplewood, MO.  The atmosphere was great as was the sushi – at least in my opinion.  Some of the raw fish skilled of the group claimed it was nothing to write home about, but I think eating something raw is always something to write home about.  Plus, I wonder if it was the dive-style swank and the pulsating house beats that prompted them to be so nonchalant in their reviews.  If that was middle of the road sushi, I must be super in love with sushi and just do not know it.  I tried a Fumanchu roll and a California roll – both were excellent, though there was avocado in the California roll (which I think is pretty much a staple with that type of roll) and I loathe avocado.  I also tried the calamari and dumplings which were a bit on the sweet side, but the sweetness lends it’s self as an element of surprise if you are used to eating those dishes.  The Asian guacamole is something I am not able to give a fair review to due to my avocado issue (it’s a texture thing, just like grits and split-pea soup), plus I didn’t order it.

The evening was topped handsomely by my betrothing of the HTB to her.  As dinner was winding down a middle-aged man stumbled over to our table and whispered in Susan’s ear.  I tried to look away, as it was extremely uncomfortable and I just assumed she knew him.  She didn’t hear him the first time so he again whispered sweet nothings in her ear.  It was at that point I realized – nope she didn’t know him, and she announced her engagement to the HTB.  I smiled and nodded, hiding my left hand as he walked away… or stumbled backwards and drifted through the bar.  He went outside, then came back in, walked over to a few more tables (heartbroken I assume) then finally released the tension by leaving the bar.  I am sad to announce that Susan’s engagement to the HTB was brief, but I know they had a wonderful time while it lasted, taking a few sips off their drinks, taking a few bites of their dinner. It is those moments, the good times, that we need to focus on.  Although, I am also glad to say that my wedding is still in progress and the middle-aged man left without a word. 

Thanks for coming out to Fu Man Chu, we should do it again some time soon!  Though you aren’t going to find me smashing beef or anuthing of the sort into my own burgers anytime soon, I am now available for lunches and dinners at sushi restaurants.  A whole new world, indeed!