Noni loves Singapore Noodles!

Years ago I frequented a Chinese restaurant in Burnaby BC called New Lakeview Seafood & Wunton. The food was always good and bargain priced. I ate there about once a week either on premises or via take-out. Fifteen years later I returned to Burnaby and was happy to see that New Lakeview (still the same name although it certainly wasn’t New anymore) was still in business. My heart skipped a few beats when I thought of their Singapore noodles (Not actually from Singapore, Cantonese dish of thin rice noodles stir-fried with curry powder, bean sprouts, barbecued pork/and or/shrimp, and vegetables)
Over the course of several weeks I passed the eatery countless times. Fear kept me from going in. What if the food was crappy? What if they had jacked up the prices? What if the tank at the back filled with fresh Pacific crab was green with slime? I preferred to hang on to my fond memories of the place.
A good friend arrived in Vancouver at the end February for the 2010 Olympic Games. We enjoyed touring the city and I proudly showed Toneey the many highlights. After a few days he told me he was craving Chinese and wanted to take me for lunch. We were rushed for time so I suggested New Lakeview which was a mere 5 blocks from home. Fear, trepidation and twisted nostalgic loyalty churned in my stomach. I pulled into the parking lot and cursed that it was full until I realized that was a good sign.
We entered the café and I was immediately hit with a waft of aromatic wonder… Ahhhh! The smell triggered an instant watering of my taste buds and I knew I was home. As if on cue, the waitress crossed our path holding a plate piled high with Singapore Noodles. As she set it before an anonymous diner Toneey and I stood transfixed and drooling. I wasn’t going to need the menu today, my choice was clear.
Toneey ordered Beef Chow Mien, I got the Singapore Noodles, and we shared the two dishes. Despite being hungry we barely made a dint in the heaping plates leaving enough for lunch again the next day.
A few weeks ago my friend Lauren drove up from Washington State for a visit. She told me she wanted to go out for Thai food. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Thai food just as much as the next guy… I feasted in Bangkok, Chang Mai and rural villages all over Thailand….but, I convinced her to eat Chinese that day instead. Guess what her new favorite restaurant is? Yup, New Lakeview on 6th Street.
Now when I go there, the biggest dilemma is the decision whether to order the Singapore Noodles or one of their other spectacular dishes.
Solution: Order both and bring the rest home to eat the next day!