by Alanna H » Wed Nov 26, 2014 9:21 pm
Finally got to Rumplings tonight! Luck was on our side- as we drove up the block the car in the very first parking spot pulled out, so we were able to park right away. I may have jumped out and ran up to the door in a concentrated effort to beat the three people walking up the sidewalk. It was packed inside and I really didn't want to get stuck waiting outside in the cold. My son and I had to wait awhile for our chance to order and sit, as expected. No big deal. The poor girl who was running dishes had a heck of a time trying to clear a bunch of teenagers out, who were hanging around taking up space while waiting for their couple of friends who were actually eating.
I ordered the Piggy with a beef dumpling and my son ordered the Kentucky, also with a beef dumpling. I've never learned to use chopsticks, so I'm really glad I was tucked back into the corner where no one (but my son) could witness my shameful and messy slurping up the noodles. No graceful transfer from bowl to mouth here!
My Piggy was nothing short of delicious. The pork belly was cooked perfectly and had the perfect ratio of meat to fat. The noodles were chewy and had great flavor. They had substance, which is something I find rare with pasta. I wasn't sold on the dumpling, but that was just my personal taste preference, not anything that the chef did wrong. I'm just not a fan of smoke flavoring. I should have realized when it said smoked brisket that I wouldn't care for it but I clearly wasn't paying attention. Next time I'll try the chicken or veggie.
My son loved his Kentucky and dumpling. It was probably the quietest dinner we've ever had- we were both way too busy slurping to actually engage in any kind of conversation. There ended up being no need to ask for a to-go container, as previously discussed. I made a pretty good dent in my ramen and when I gave up, Matthew asked if he could try it. And apparently by 'try it' he really meant 'finish it'. When he got done there was nothing left to take home.
There was a steady flow of customers the entire time we were there. I can't wait to go back and try the miso and the chicken at some point, if I can manage to talk myself out of the Piggy.