It’s a balmy October, but it’s not the first of its kind. Twelve years ago we had just got married, and as we were only a few weeks away from bringing our first child into the world, there was no flying off to the Seychelles. Luckily the sun shone brightly in Blenheim Palace, where we honeymooned for the day. In the evening we feasted on momos in the back garden (pictured).
Yeshi had been in the UK just a couple of months before all these major life events unfolded. His family in Tibet were vaguely aware that he had moved over from India but he didn’t mention that a baby was on the way – he said he didn’t want them to worry.
Above all, he never disclosed that we had moved to a city that was new to us both, with no close relatives at hand. In Tibet, when a son gets married and has children he remains inside the family home and raises his kids inside the security of that unit. The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” was coined in Africa, but may as well be Tibetan.
At some point Yeshi told his parents about our two children, but they still don’t understand that we live a long way from any UK-based family. Why on earth would we choose to do that? That’s a lot of pressure on all the relationships in our household.
In Tibet, everyone has a hand in the childcare. Yeshi’s brother Nyima, who now works with us in our kitchens, is almost fifteen years older than Yeshi, and was as much a caregiver for him as any of the adults close at hand.
Families used to work like this here too. We just lost our way along the line. No wonder so many modern marriages fail. Living in small spaces together, raising kids, holding down jobs, running a home – all the while keeping the flames of some romantic connection alive… It’s amazing we ever make them work.
At least we have Nyima nearby now. He lives above Taste Tibet and keeps watch over that baby, but these days the caregiving is more reciprocal. What goes around comes around.
We’re truly a family-run restaurant, and we’re here to serve. As the cold creeps in and indoor tables become something of a premium, remember that our home-cooked food is always available for takeaway. Let us take care of dinner – it could save your marriage 😜
We’re open all the usual hours this week, as follows:
Wednesday – Friday: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3 (lunch) / 5-9.30pm (dinner)
This week’s menu is out now – check it! We also have good stocks of everything in our freezers, including momos, so come forage.
Looking forward to welcoming you in soon,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Sat: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
☏ 01865 499318
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