FAMILY DINNER #416

"here we go again" i hear you thinking...

but actually, this is a *nice* family dinner story.
my eldest sister turned 30 today. she's the one who's been in rehab for the last few weeks (surely i mentioned the situation at some point..?). i was, naturally, a little apprehensive about the gathering of the clan... as these dinners are often filled with cringe worthy moments, some laughable, some just painful.
we met on a chilly street corner (everyone was on time, even the good doctor. well done D!), with the only plan being "lets eat Thai". so after a bit of a reconnoiter we decided on Amarin Thai Resturant, i'd had takeaway from there once, and had recollections of decent food and nice smily staff.
it's a really beautiful place! lots of traditional bits and pieces adorning every free ledge and bit of wall... brass elephants, silk wall-hangings, odd wee dolls in traditional dress ("ethnic Barbie"), and an exquisite set of flying metal dragons on one wall. (i coveted them...and wished i had a camera with me)
the table was set nicely too, none of this dodgy formica you get in so many small thai resturants. real linen cloth, shiny cutlery, swan-shaped napkins. the staff were friendly and attentive, but not *too* attentive (did i ever share that story about a certain resturant in akaroa?).
the food was so beautifully presented. the rice arrived in a brass dish, complete with pedastool. entrees and mains on green leafy platters ("monsoon" i think is the design. i have a nice bowl of the same family). the curries were in ceramic pots, with tea lights underneath keeping them hot. i got a gingery mushroomy chickeny thing... very yum. it looked a little bit like this. mmm, fresh ginger... love it.
the look on my aunt's face when she realised that "whole fish" really *did* mean whole fish was great... she managed pretty well though.
wow, i don't usually go on like this.
*blushes*
so-anyhow-it-was-all-really-nice-and-my-sister-seems-happier-than-she-has-been-in-ages-and-conversation-was-nice-and-light-and-i-enjoyed-seeing-them-all.
that's it. ahem.