On Saturday, I had lunch with Powell. Following a recommendation from his wife Cassey, our dining destination was Haidilao Hot Pot in Cupertino. Cassey had eaten there with a coworker the day prior and liked it so much that she tagged along.
I was a little sketchy on eating at Haidilao because I was still recovering from mucus clogging; a big bowl of soup did not seem like the best idea. Nevertheless, my curiosity caused me to say okay. I’ve walked past that place so many times, but I don’t remember eating there even once.
We arrived at the restaurant at 11:15am. The place is known for its high prices, but it wasn’t as fancy as I expected. The atmosphere inside felt more light & casual. After putting on our bibs, we grabbed appetizers from their bar and shared a 4-soup (2 water, 1 tomato, 1 spicy pork) combo.
Haidilao was a good choice for me. I really enjoyed how their appetizer bar had unlimited pineapple slices. And to my relief, the soups were mainly used for cooking. That day, I was able to eat light and continue on my road to recovery. Our meal came out to approximately $32 per person, which is on the high end for my budget, but normal for the Cupertino area.
PS: ’twas Powell’s first time there as well, but he didn’t seem impressed. He claimed that he’ll go again if friends invite him, but won’t return on his own.
