Day 33: Duck Feet - Check.
Xintiandi, Pudong
About 9 years ago in Shanghai, my Uncle Spencer brought my mother, sister, and I to a restaurant. I was a really picky eater and hated Chinese food (yes, this is hard for me to believe as well). When all the food arrived, my uncle told me that he had ordered “mini chicken wings” for me. I ate them happily, appreciating my uncle’s thoughtfulness for my American diet. After finished off my last piece, I noticed my uncle was looking at me with a huge grin on his face. I was happy he was happy, but I didn’t know that he was really happy about one thing. “You just ate FROG LEGS!”
Every food experience with Uncle Spencer opens a new chapter in my life. This time in Shanghai was no exception. We went to a famous restaurant chain called, “South Beauty” on the top of Super Brand 88 mall in Pudong. With a beautiful view, I knew this dinner was going to be quite an experience. Sichuan food is spicy, but I like to explore my limits. My uncle ordered a table for about 12 people for just the three of us so that we could get an excellent view of the skyline at night (which is drop dead gorgeous). The first dish we ate is Sichuan specialty, using hot rocks and a bowl of oil to cook beef, onions, and red peppers. You also are provided with little pieces of bread that soak up the oil from the beef and veggies. It’s hard to distinguish the rocks in the dish, so beware to all!
Before the night was over, I knew my Uncle Spencer had to test my palate, and he did. A foot came rolling in. I am especially not a fan of eating the feet of anything (pig feet, chicken feet, cow feet), but this was a Uncle Spencer experience. I had no choice, but to try it out. Luckily my uncle didn’t trick me (which is really hard to do when you are eating something that looks exactly what it is supposed to be), but I knew I had to overcome my fears. I tried it, and I can say now, that I have tried Duck’s Feet. (?!?!?!!?!)
P.S.: I got a new DSLR camera, and I took my first night architecture photo of my uncle’s office.
