8/4/04 No Cavities! Making some at Rain:

I went to the dentist on purpose for the first time... almost ever. Certainly as an adult. I have a weird, what feels like a hole on the side of one of my molars. And it bothered me when I licked it. I was sure I was feeling a cavity with the tip of my tongue. Coupled with the slight discoloration around that area of the tooth (and the fact that I told both Natalie and my mom about it), it was a foregone conclusion that I should have it checked out by Dr. Wainstock.

He prodded and poked, and he told me that not only is that just a chipped tooth, but that I have no cavities anywhere in my cake hole, and I was pleased!

And so was Mrs. Wainstock, holding down the front desk.

Later, in the city, I went up to Rain on the Upper West Side to have dinner w/Natalie.

At the 59th street IND (A, B, C, D) station at Columbus Circle, there is an extra middle-platform that is no longer used for service. It's always empty. Except for today. There was like a full cocktail party going on! And it was patrolled by the police! I wonder what kind of MTA function was going on?

Natalie and I enjoyed Rain:

We are BIG fans of the sesame chips and sesame-peanut dipping sauce that they give you when you sit down. We order three servings of each.

Attempting to take a photo of Natalie, she quickly grabs her chop sticks for the block:

Then she takes 2 versions of me:

Without flash.

With flash.

This tuna appetizer was a winner:

And the green papaya and mango salad is always a pleaser.

Dunno.

I had a huge fish-based soup that I couldn't finish after all those appetizers.

So we had dessert! Red bean and mango ice creams are incorporated into this decadent boat of goodness.

And of course, Natalie has a soft spot for sweet rice. (Mango).

Then I admired the tile mosaic work at the 81st street-Museum of Natural History subway station.