Blown Away By Monsoon

I have been a negligent blogger, buds, and I'm sorry. It's been a crazy few months - I was in Costa Rica, Nebraska, Leavenworth WA, and then...Ozzy, our golden retriever puppy, came home shortly after the New Year.

I am a proud Mama. But I'm still hungry, so....

Wikipedia says that a monsoon is a 'seasonal prevailing wind that lasts for several months'. So that's why they named it that! Because it's been months since I've been and I'm STILL thinking about this meal!

I discovered Monsoon last summer when some well-connected culinarian friends visited Seattle and instead of me playing the typical tour guide and taking them to my favorites carefully hand-picked just for them, they took me. I rode in the back seat, and just went with the flow to all the must-dos they had heard about from their respected food fare friends. This required quite a bit of trust on my part - I mean, you couldn't have done this with just anybody. But I have to admit it was amazing. I was like a tourist in my own city, and ironically we ended up a lot of places I hadn't done. Monsoon, Pig Iron BBQ in the middle of Industrial-nowhere Seattle, West Seattle's Beato (sadly not the only place to fall victim to this stellar economy), and How To Cook A Wolf...which is a whole 'nother story. I came away with a lot of new favorites and checked a lot off of my list, but Monsoon was my most cherished new find.

This is what I remember. We went for a late brunch on a beautiful mid-summer Sunday. We sat at a 4-top in their open-air dining room, because there were no tables available on the patio. We started with generously-poured mimosas in well-sized glasses. Had to have the Dim Sum appetizer assortment of pork buns, sticky rice, shrimp & chive wontons and dumplings all rightfully in their bamboo baskets.

I followed with organic fried eggs with nem nuong (grilled pork + shrimp sausage), with a side of sweet corn. Friends went with the Vietnamese equivalent to 'steak and eggs', and a side of pork belly, perfectly prepared. We all shared everything, including a chantrelle scramble. What I remember most is the freshness and the flavor of it all. Overwhelming.

I am definitely no authority on Vietnamese cuisine, but in my opinion Monsoon nailed it. I've since brought visiting family here (hand-selected no doubt) for a redo of the above menu, and everything was as I remember, and they raved much the same. I will be back, maybe for dinner next time.

This week, I've got a dinner date with a girlfriend (before Etta James!) at Bambuza, another Vietnamese place I've been wanting to try. I'm looking forward to the comparison but have a feeling that I may be forever spoiled with Monsoon. But, I've made a mental note to remember, you never know what you're going to find riding in the back seat...