Well, after a rough 15 months we here in California are on the cusp of reopening, yes, tomorrow the capacity limits for businesses ends and mask requirements will be modified for those vaccinated….though I truly doubt that many businesses will be asking for proof of vaccination. Does this mean things get back to normal? I really don't know how to answer that one….I mean 3700+ deaths and 280,000 cases later, a fifteen month lockdown, politicization of what should have been a public health emergency……what is normal?
As for rushing out to grab a meal at restaurants…….I think we're in "wait and see mode". As a whole we're not big on crowds anyway……so we may just lie low until after Father's Day. But who knows. I will say we had our first indoor dining experience last week as San Diego entered the Yellow Tier allowing for 50% indoor capacity. It's been getting kinda hot…in fact, I think tomorrow we may have record temperatures. I was working from home and the Missus finished work early. I was craving some Bi Bim Naengmyun and the Missus, a Dolsot Bi Bim Bap. And after I tried and failed to order Bi Bim Naengmyun to go from Prime Grill and since they were open straight through from 11am, we decided to give the place a shot. Prime Grill had stopped doing outdoor seating a while back, so indoors was the only choice. It was however, only 430pm when we arrived and we didn't expect the place to have customers…..but we were wrong and the place was about 1/3 full…..we requested and got a table in the far corner.
The Missus of course wanted Her Bi Bim Bap and I went for the Bi Bim Naengmyun….the Missus asked me to order some Dak Bulgogi as well. So, the older Korean woman came over to take my order…..and when I tried to place my order, she shook her head, "no…no….better for you to order the combination….you save money." I suddenly recognized her voice; she was the one who told me not to order the Bi Bim Naengmyun to go the last time! Well, I pointed out that the menu said "Naengmyun" and I wanted Bi Bim Naengmyun.
To which she answered "no worry, we make bi bim naengmyun for combo." You gotta love it!
And while it looked like the gyeran jjim (the steamed egg) had pretty much collapsed due to over work, the rest of the panchan was quite good….the baechu kimchi looked like it wasn't fermented enough, but it was good.
And the Missus got Her Dolsot Bi Bim Bap.
Which She let "rest" to develop the rice crust from the hot stone bowl, while devouring the gyeran jjim and also the Dak Bulgogi, which was much better eating here as it got some nice caramelization….use the takeout photo to compare. In fact, She ended up taking half of the Bi Bim Bap home to eat the next day.
As for me….well this was just what I wanted…heck, needed after 15 months. The stretchy naengmyun, cut to an edible length with scissors, the spicy sauce…..
A shot of sweet-spicy cho-jang, a squirt of vinegar to get those salivary glands to pucker up. The Asian Pear brings a bit of sweetness and helps cut through all that spiciness. Aaahhhh….. 
Just what the doctor ordered……
And even though we felt a bit out of sorts eating indoors after so long, just for a few minutes; there was no pandemic in sight….we were having a nice meal……what would be a "normal" warm weather meal for us, and all seemed right in the world. During these times it's a feeling I've come to treasure.
Prime Grill
4620 Convoy St.
San Diego, CA 92111
Current Hours:
Daily 11am – 10pm
So, here's a question for all our "FOYs" (Friends of Yoso). With the reopening happening tomorrow are you making plans to go out? To eat, to a movie, your favorite watering hole, perhaps the gym…a museum? Or are you going to adopt a "wait and see" position?