The Real Deal….A ‘Happy’ Meal….

Last night five of us ate wonderful, fresh Thai food…..and ALL the proceeds, plus the extra donation we made….went directly to the Tsunami Relief Fund….
There is a restaurant on Howard Street in Tampa, Florida called Royal Palace Thai, which our family goes to quite often…It is owned and operated by three sisters from Thailand. One sister is married to an American who lives and does business in Thailand as well….he told us last night that he missed the tsunami by 2 days since he was here in the states for Christmas…
Thai Palace is closed on Mondays…..the exception is that throughout January, they and all their staff donated their day off to ‘the cause’….that being that ALL Monday’s sales, tips, and donations would be taken directly to Thailand and put toward the most urgent need….
Lines of people waited outside…..we called ahead and asked for 7:15 reservations with the knowledge that we would still have to wait. We waited an hour….the restaurant is a fairly small place but the lines for take-out was as busy as the seating lines….Two people next to us each had a glass of wine and quickly gave up their table leaving an $80.00 tip….
I asked one of the sisters who served us if she was tired….she smiled and said “It is a good ‘tired’.”
Our food was outstanding…..quality was not sacrificed for expediency….
I almost felt ’guilty’ enjoying it so much…for once it was o.k. to order the ’most expensive’ thing on the menu…..needless to say, Thai Palace will not have to do any public advertising in the future…
The only thing…..I felt like I should have been up helping pour water, wash dishes, or cleaning tables…..physical help would have relieved my heart’s gratitude to these dear people who believe in a ‘united effort’ to help others….Heroes are everywhere….even in the kitchen!
I salute you…..Royal Palace Thai