Saturday, December 21, 2013
Stopped at the post office. Very crowded, probably a 90-minute wait. I abandoned. Visited my sister's family, they gave me some muffins and cookies to go. Stopped at the nearby post office. Only a 5-minute wait—nice. I visited two camera stores not because I needed anything but so that I could get a sense of what each sold. San Jose Camera and Video followed by Keeble and Schucat. Dinner at Santa Ramen by myself. When I entered about 20 minutes after opening, the dining room was essentially full, about 25 people were waiting, and there was no obvious greeter or sign-in sheet. Even after several minutes no greeter or waitstaff appeared, so it was very confusing to figure out how to get in line to be seated. Finally I figured it out: there is a line that zigzags across the entry but it's not easy to see. When I discovered this, some people in line laughed and said, "Back of the line!" or "The back of the line is over there!" I said nothing. I waited only 5 minutes before being seated—single rider's luck—and was seated long before those who had laughed at me. Justice via luck. I ordered pork cheek ramen with soy broth, not spicy, no extras. Hot green tea appeared to be included. The chicken karaage appeared to be a popular selection, but I did not try it. The ramen is perfectly satisfying, and I feel it is better than the ramen at Katana-Ya primarily because the broth is more flavorful, more complex. Wait staff is friendly and efficient. Customers are sometimes a little rude. Drove home. Late meal: nonfat yogurt with pumpkin flax granola, two small muffins, one cookie.