"Be sure to get a picture of the outside of the restaurant this time," Stan instructed Kathleen, as she dashed out the door to the September Ladies Who Lunch meeting. Kathleen had so much fun at lunch today she darn near forgot that last detail, but as they drove off she remembered and quickly handed the camera to her partner, M'liss. She gamely shot from the window and got this picture in a picture, as Kathleen sped away in her blue bug.
Earlier, the couple had enjoyed lunch at Mai Village on University in St. Paul. Kathleen has a special connection to this lovely restaurant. The owner, Ngoan (pronounced Wan) Dang, was an officer in the South Vietnamese Army and fled his homeland with his life and little else back in the early 70s. His young son joined him many years later, after escaping the new regime in a leaky boat and spending a desperate month on the open sea.
Eventually, the son got a college education at the University of Minnesota and went to work for Stan. The son has been a key player in the newspaper company for the past 15 years, handling a variety of tasks centered on new technology and creative services. (He majored in marine biology in college -- go figure.) He also became Stan's trusted friend.So there was plenty to talk about with the father when Kathleen stopped at his restaurant for lunch with M'liss today. The tough economy seems to top the list of concerns. People just aren't eating out the way they used to.
So, people, get out there. Try the lovely Vietnamese restaurant on University. Come for Dim Sum. Or just have the lemon chicken. And ask the boss about his wonderful son. He'll beam.
