So we're sitting there, three of us, in Le Bambou, the best Vietnamese restaurant in Paris. Having had a full meal, the table was covered with remnants of the evening's dishes. Bones, herbs, broth... a veritable smorgasbord of second helpings, if you will. This may bother some people, but not others, depending on your sensibilities; it's understandable either way. For the record, it doesn't bother Lucky at all.
The same could not be said of Lucky's friends. The first, a wise Vietnamese woman, asked the Chinese-born manager (in Vietnamese) if he could clean up a bit, as we had ordered dessert and it was on its way. With a slight laugh, he told her that they only clear tables once you've finished eating. Slightly chagrined, she explained what he said and we waited for dessert, which came a scant few seconds later.
Lucky's second friend, a Chinese lass, could not take it any longer. Summoning the same manager back, she politely asked (in Mandarin, mind you) that the table be cleaned. He laughed again, but then reached down and removed the offending bits from our sight. Apparently, he repeated the same explanation, but then said, "But because you ask me..."
Discrimination, alive and well. It's always around, but rarely does one see it so blatantly.
If you still deign to visit the restaurant (Lucky will), be sure to order "bún bò Hué", a huge bowl of spicy delight with all manner of meat, broth, and noodles. It's one of the most incredible dishes you'll encounter, anywhere. Just be sure to go early or late, as the long lines outside attest to the quality of the experience that awaits you.
6:38:53 PM 
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