Dim sum, tapas, and other similar regional eating approaches are wonderful ways to share a food experience with others. As much as I enjoy the concepts, I have to stop doing them.
I am no longer good at these shared concepts because I can't go at that speed anymore. I am not as fast as others are in eating food. These activities are more fun when everyone is on the same speed.
This isn't about Chinese food or Spanish food or any other region of the world. I love the idea of dim sum, tapas, and any similar regional dining approach. I appreciate sharing different foods with people I know.
I can still play the game provided the people around me know I will be this way and know I won't be too quick. The problem is people, as gracious as they are, don't want to play with someone who is slow. I respect their take. It's more fun when everyone is playing at the same speed.
Years ago, I could eat anything and everything and barely gain weight. I was most excellent at dim sum and tapas.
For those not familiar with the dim sum concept, you mark the items you want on a menu and give the menu to the server. The picture (above) is a very partial list of available dishes. The items are placed on a lazy Susan in front of the diners where they twirl the lazy Susan around to get what they want. The concept is like a smorgasbord without getting up to get the food. That sounds like fun.
A similar "American" approach would be mozzarella cheese sticks, nachos, potato skins, quesadillas, onion rings, large pretzels, chicken wings, and sliders. I have a reaction to mozzarella cheese. I might find 3-4 of these items to be fine. I wouldn't be able to eat as much of these foods as the vast majority of the population.
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Tapas is similar shared food, like dim sum. You don't have a lazy Susan but you order bite-sized options. Those who are too slow or not as hungry suffer if the bill is split evenly. The exception are tapas places where you pay by the toothpick. Select what you want and pay based on the number of toothpicks. That isn't as much fun to share but you are charged by what you actually eat.
You can order Chinese food, Spanish food, and other foods off a regular menu. I'm a sucker for sesame chicken, potstickers, and fried rice. I adore jamon iberico, patatas bravas, olives, and fried calamari. The food is great; the speed is not.
I sadly eat most of my meals alone. TV is not a good substitute for dining with other human beings. I love chances and opportunities to eat with other human beings. If you can handle the speed of dim sum and tapas, you will get more out of the experience than eating those foods by yourself.
photo credit: menu from Furama restaurant, Chicago