GOT LATKAS?

I awoke in mid morning, sunshine and warmth embracing my sleeping area through the small window over the bed. I completed my morning rituals, descended down the stairs and into the outdoors. I took in the telltale smell of burning hydrocarbons mixed with the scent of spring spores. Pollen, they call it.
I noted that one car was gone, the remaining grey chariot being parked in the garage. I presumed the young apes were in one of those instituitions of indoctrination called schools and that one of the adults was still home.
I returned to the rear foyer and knocked on the downstairs door to the first level. A few seconds later Jim answered.
"Hi, Mr Frazzi," greeted the big ape. "What can I do for ya"
Well. I haven't had a chance to do any shopping and I was wondering if there was a good place to eat around here somewhere?"
"Well, this time of day you might try Abba's", Jim suggested. "They're over at the plaza a couple blocks down."
He gave me directions and I thanked him.
"Anytime, Mr. Frazzi"
"Just call me Frazzi" I called back as I trooped down the drive.
I walked the 2 blocks to the plaza, noting the houses, the wide variety of designs. I understood the dwellings in this community were of modest size, but I found the unique mishmash of styles fascinating. We are far more utilitarian than artistic on my world and wondered if this display of individuality was something I should consider significant.
The plaza itself was filled with stores on both sides of a larger street that would be, I was sure, worthy of future exploration. For now I scanned the plaza, searching for Abba's, which proved to be halfway down the strip on my side. I strode onward, noting the large variety of vehicles flowing along the central street. Again I was struck by the variety. Cars, they are called, in all colors, shapes and sizes. I don't think I saw 2 the same in the 2 minutes it took me to reach the restaurant.
I came to Abba's and opened the glass door. There was a small entry area and several dining areas. One was a closed off room, the other a mix of tables and booths In a common dining room. In the latter 2 older apes were discussing something in a language that I could not understand. In a booth a mother and child were eating, the child pestering her for some toy or another.
A young he ape approached me. He was slender, in a white shirt and black slacks. On his brown maned head he wore a grey and white skullcap of cloth. Yamahas, I think they call them.
" One?" He asked.
I nodded.
He showed me to a booth, left a menu, said "I'll be right back," and briskly headed to the kitchen. I reviewed the offerings on the menu until he returned a few moments later with a glass of water laced with the popular chemical additives of the locality.
"Ready to order?" He asked matter of factly.
"Yes. I'll try the latkas and matzah soup."
He wrote the order down on a paper pad, thanked me, took my menu and returned to the kitchen.
I bided my time waiting by looking out the window, watching the world. Passers by flowed in a regular stream in front of the eatery. No 2 dressed the same. A variety of color and style. Beyond, the cavalcade of cars continued up and down the road. Rickety technology dependent on an ever decreasing fuel supply.
Form over substance, to be sure.
It was very confusing.
Soon my plate of latkas and bowl of sou[ (a large matzah ball swimming in a broth}. "Anything else I can get you?" asked the male.
I shook my head. "No thanks," and he again departed.
I sampled first the soup and then the latkas. The soup was good, though I personally think I prefer Brandelk Wedding Soup, as can only be found in the finest taverns of the Lazli systems. This was close though. Then I tried the latkas.
Heaven!
Bliss!
Never have I tasted such a crispy gourmet treat!
I wolfed them down and called the waiter over.
"Yes?'
'More latkas!" I demanded! "And please leave the menu".
He left the menu and trotted off to get me more latkas. I reviewed the menu one more time while finishing my soup.
The waiter soon returned with another plate of latkas. "Will that ne all ,sir?"
"I think so. I replied, "but I'm curious. This matzah ball. What do you do with the rest of the matzah?"
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