New Moon for a New Me: A Mom's Great Escape in Montrose

I finally did it! When my husband walked in the door, I gave him my two weeks' notice as a mom. I will still be his wife, and I will still be available for occasional babysitting, but it had just been one of those weeks. I called up some of my girlfriends to commiserate, and we decided that we needed a night out. Some of my friends would be celebrating their birthdays this month, so we had the perfect excuse for an evening away from the chaos. We decided on in Montrose, located at 2138 Verdugo Road.  

New Moon came to Montrose six years ago under the ownership of Colin Tom.  The seating area inside the restaurant is able to accommodate small, intimate groups as well as large parties. On a nice spring or summer evening, you can dine outside on the patio with its frosted glass windows and bamboo plants, which offers seclusion from Verdugo Road.

The frazzled moms met at the restaurant, delighted to see that each of the others had dressed up for the occasion. Our ketchup-stained shirts had been replaced with luxurious fabrics we had long-since forgotten. The tantalizing aroma of Chinese food greeted us at the door, causing an instant Pavlovian reaction.  I hadn’t realized how hungry I was for "real" food, since my normal diet consists of chicken pressed into the shape of dinosaurs or leftover crusts from abandoned peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

After being seated, we were served complimentary appetizers of fried won ton strips with dipping sauce and a fabulous array of drinks. (Side note: New Moon also features a full bar area where you can order drinks before you have dinner.) After making the decision to eat family style, which is easily accommodated by a large Lazy Susan in the center of the table, we started with the Combination Appetizer Plate ($12.95): Chicken Pot Stickers, Jumbo New York Style Egg Rolls, Shrimp Rangoon, Chicken Shiew Mai, Grilled Shrimp, Paper Wrapped Chicken, and Barbeque Pork Spare Ribs. We also shared the New Moon Salad ($10.95), Braised String Beans ($9.95), Shrimp with Candied Glazed Walnuts ($14.95), and the Mongolian Beef ($12.95). I have frequented New Moon on numerous occasions, and I have never been disappointed by anything on the menu.

It was blissful to enjoy a meal where no one spilled their milk, and we were able to enjoy real, adult conversations about topics such as celebrity gossip and hot political issues. We finished off the evening with dark and white chocolate dipped fortune cookies. My fortune read: "Success and wealth are in your future." (Of course they are!)

I am learning that I am a much better mom when I am able to take a little break for myself and talk with other moms who feel the same way and have the same struggles. I made sure to get home late enough that all the children would be asleep. As I went into their rooms and looked at their perfect angelic faces, I realized that maybe I will rescind my two weeks' notice— at least for now.