Recently, the Din Tai Fung restaurant franchise has expanded overseas...to Bellevue, WA. Now this would normally be great news for both myself and the Chinese/Asian Community. However, things have taken a turn for the worse when my cousin-in-law, Joe, has been booted off from being a co-founder/owner of this restaurant in Lincoln Square!
So yes, in essence, he got Zuckerberg'd by his longtime friend and colleague - David Wasielewski. I just don't understand how someone how can do to another human being, much less a friend who took you in and gave you a place to stay. This idea of importing xiaolongbaos from China to Washington State has been a long time coming (at least 3 years by my count from when I first heard Joe mentioning it). I don't think Mr. Wasielewski had been seeking some long-term vengeance for not making the ever-so-elusive Phoenix Club...hell, both Joe and David went to the University of Washington together.
In our capitalistic society, it turns out that money is synonymous with happiness, or at the very least, a dream. My cousin is a man who has paid his dues, has a strong work ethic, and invested time and money into this brainchild project. All of that dedication has essentially been squandered now that the restaurant finally opened, business is booming, and the need for a minor owner has seemingly dissipated due to the fact the two majority owners are seeing nothing but green. Like a pawn, Joe was used to set everything up yet is pushed aside when there are finally rewards and benefits to be reaped. Chalk another one up for the Evil Empire. Just remember: while you may have a set of all-star Shanghai chefs right now, soon they will be handing in the reigns to lesser talent when they are asked to move back to China pretty soon. Enjoy donning those pinstripes!
These people sure don't look Chinese to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giV5yXWUXUw
