Umami Salad at Budsi's.

Mrs. King and I went to Budsi’s on North Rampart Street, in the Marigny. It is the Thai place on that block where North Rampart takes that little bend before whatever that block is called before St. Claude Avenue is called St. Claude Avenue. I think it is called McShane Place.

I am sure enough that it is McShane Place to feel uncompelled to find out. I am sure someone will come by to ask. If not, it is McShane Place.

McShane Place is where there is always a boiled seafood restaurant and there are two empty buildings. On the other side of the street is that chicken shack that Ian McNulty was raving about a few weeks ago. It looks like nothing both outside and inside, like the Red Zone, where McNulty sent me a couple months ago. Remember that? I am not to hot to go to the Red Zone again. You go. You can tell me what you think.

I will never listen to Ian McNulty again. He eats out too much. He has lost his taste buds.

I have never seen him wear a hat.

Well, North Rampart takes a little jog there, and, on that block is Budsi’s. It is in a regular building, nothing special. The building is made of wood, not cinderblock or sheet metal. This is North Rampart Street, not McShane Place.

Marais Street is all torn up down to the mud. The city did not bother to close the street. No need to put up barricades because the heavy equipment is blocking the way.

I should have better read the omens in the sky as Mrs. King and I were leaving our house. I would have known to avoid Marais Street.

Some guys with metal detectors were in the street. They tried to stop me. I told them we could fit. Mrs. King got stuck in a rut, I think. She does not want to talk to me about it, so, we have not. I do not have a sticky beak.

I want to talk about the bamboo salad at Budsi’s. It has the most interesting smell, like a dog’s dinner. First, though, I should write about how a paid subscription is the best Christmas gift ever for a friend or for yourself. We could all use a little self-care, am I right?

I should purchase a paid subscription this holiday season. Someone will thank you for it. What would the Elf on the Shelf do?

I will tell you about this unusual salad after the paywall. I need to be paid to relive that salad.