I arrived at Penn Station at 5:30, met my friend, and we strolled south until a place caught our eye for a cocktail. Enter Barn Joo Nomad, a Korean restaurant with a cool bar. We settled in, ordered two Serrano Margaritas (Serrano-infused tequila, agave, lime), then went for an Oaxaca Old Fashioned (818 Anejo tequila, agave, mezcal, orange bitters) for round two. As the stomach rumbled, we considered the food menu. Here comes the twist.
Despite the fantastic menu, after an inquisition about seven different items (which, by the way, I still hate doing 11 years later), I wasn’t convinced anything was safe for me. No way was I risking it. My buddy insisted we go elsewhere, but the nearby options didn’t appeal (or seemed safe), and I loved the vibe of the place we were in. So, what did I do? Ordered another cocktail (back to the Serrano Margarita) and suggested my friend order something to eat.
We continued our great conversation, he enjoyed a nice meal, and I planned on catching a 9:20 train home. Surprise! There was no 9:30 train home! Only an 8:22 train and the next at 10:20. Did I mention how much NJ Transit sucks? I walked into my home at 12:30 am.
Yep, I went 10.5 hours without food, watched my friend savor his dinner, and came home starving. And you know what? I wouldn’t change a damn thing. Hungry decisions can be bad decisions, but after 11 years with this lousy disease, skipping a meal isn’t the end of the world. Opting not to eat anything at a restaurant beats risking it every time.
Next time you find yourself in a similar situation, remember this. Enjoy the company. Revel in the conversation. Savor the moment. Eventually, you’ll eat.
