Pick of the Crop – Tiny but Mighty…….Tropical Safari Cafe
Do you ever see petite, fragile-looking people doing their thing and just wonder what kind of personality resides within the small frame? We all do……you get that outside picture of the book, then you start to have a conversation and you get a taste of the various flavors that come out. Phal Vong owns the Tropical Safari Café and she holds the fort at the Souther of the James Farmer’s Market on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00. She is maybe 90 pounds if she holds a 10 pound sack of rice, but this lady is fueled on high energy and laughter.
The Café at the Market offers food with Cambodian flair, Phal’s roots. I asked Phal what brought her to America and she responded simply. “The war.” Her country was so unsafe that many locals escaped as refugees. Phal escaped as a bride of an American GI soldier. She has been here ever since and the family has expanded to 3 children. Unfortunately, says Phal, they are not interested in her business to the degree she is. No matter, she manages to roll that whole booth by herself at both of the Markets. Saturday, she ALWAYS sells out. She physically can’t make enough for that busy market day. On Wednesdays, she has just a bit more time to laugh and tease her customers. She is a funny lady and every conversation will make you smile.
Phal has been “marketing” for 2 years. Previously a housekeeper, one client discovered her talent for cooking and urged her to go legit with a business. Thank goodness for that customer because we now can count on her fare for a quick, nutritious Wednesday dinner (that we don’t have to cook!!!)
Menu Includes:
Steak Kabob $2
Chicken Stir Fry $2
Stir Fry Noodle $5 $8 $10
Veggie, Shrimp, Chicken Spring Rolls $1
Chicken Dumpling $3
Won Ton Soup $5 for a pound container
My personal favorite. Won ton noodle with veggies and Cilantro. The flavor profile is similar to foods in the Thai culture. She can spice it up a bit if hot is what you are after. Everything is delicious, good for you and very reasonably priced.
The Wednesday market is on your way home!!! You can park close by, get dinner, wine, fresh produce for your weekend, gourmet dinner parties or backyard cookouts. Start early with your Christmas shopping here. There is jewelry, pottery, tie-dye originals, goat’s milk soaps, potted plants. Sometimes there is a book vendor or other “surprises”. You won’t know unless you come.
See you Wednesday!! Bring a neighbor!!
Souther of the James runs on Wednesdays 3 PM – 8 PM at 4910 Forest Hill Ave (23225). Music this week by Markiss Blowfish and here is your list of vendors. I saw on Facebook that Snider Bros. are having a sale on perennials.
Pick of the Crop is written by Trish Morrison.
Originally from Illinois where she was pioneering with Food Co-ops and Farmer’s Markets in the Chicago suburbs, Trish now lives in the neighborhood near Westover Hills Elementary School. A city dweller by week, weekends she travels to Lunenburg County working on an agricultural venture with her son. She enjoys the blend of art, agriculture, music and muse, you can find at a Farmers’ Market and hopes it comes through in her interview style of writing.
It has been really cool to see the “Spring Roll Lady” expand from her card table with spring rolls only to the larger operation she’s running now.