Branches Book

BRANCHES

Sarah Shindler

CHOLADA

I recommend that you set up your Friday night like this: it’s how I always do it, and it seems to work for me. So, let me take you to a night at Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine. It’s 6:30 on a Friday night. You are driving down the Pacific Coast Highway with a bunch of your friends in a Honda minivan. The sun is beginning to set and bright pinks, deep reds, and vibrant yellows are beginning to peek through the clouds. You continue to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and see the waves crashing as the cars rush by them. Music from the 70s is playing on the radio and everyone is laughing and singing along. You smile. It’s that type of smile that everyone around you knows is real. You pass the Reel Inn. You imagine it’s full of people eating oysters and laughing. You continue to smile as you see the sign in front that says “Surf Report OMG,” and you know the restaurant is right around the corner. Then you drive by Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio and end up in the Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine parking lot. It’s a small parking lot that goes around a loop. It is always scary to park there. You are so glad you’re not the one driving. You get out of the car and begin walking into the little blue shack. You pass the red light-up sign that constantly buzzes. The inside of the restaurant has an aroma of soy sauce and peanut sauce. You love the smell, it’s so comforting and wonderful. It makes your stomach grumble. You ask the hostess to sit outside; it is always too warm and crowded inside the restaurant. The hostess leads you and your friends outside where you pass the kitchen, the little candy jar where you always grab a peach and apple candy, and the “women’s” bathroom sign. You walk outside, and then walk up a wooden staircase and sit down on the picnic table; you always sit at this picnic table. The table has a paper table cloth covering it so that the table doesn’t get dirty. It’s the perfect spot in the restaurant because it’s not only quiet, but it is above everyone else; and it feels kind of good to be looking down on everybody. The hostess hands you a menu, and gives the other ones to your friends. You all open the menu and begin to scan each dish, discussing what looks interesting. Maybe this time you will try something new, but that is doubtful. You always order the same thing in the end. Everyone gets a water, maybe some will get a Thai iced tea or a coconut, so you decide to order a coconut. The coconut is fresh and just cut open, so you again smile that same smile you had earlier. You want the tom kah (coconut soup), golden bags

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