beXnlog

Ups and Downs

I used to eat at the various restaurants on 6th St in the East Village when i first moved to New York back in 1998. The incomparable 50% off deals and overall affordable prices fit into my meager non-profit salary quite well. Furthermore, the bounty of restaurants allowed us many chances to try different places, all on the same block. Within a few months however, i discovered much better Indian fare nearby (most noteably at Madras) or in Little India (around Lexington in the upper 20's), so i stopped going. Well, maybe it also had to do with 2 stomachaches and 1 undercooked, doughy samosa, but those details are not that fun to write about.

The restaurants on 6th St have changed over the past seven years; there's now an Ethiopian place and a Thai one on the same block, as well as many restaurants that have come and gone (i never got to try Ghandi, the lone vegetarian Indian place). Today be and i attended a fun lunch with seven other people, mainly Acentos crew and poetry scenesters. We all got the lunch special at Sonar Gaon and although some people enjoyed the lunch, O, be and i didn't think it was good. At our end of the table, our four different dishes were made with the exact same sauces and be's samosa arrived in a puddle of oil. I think the prices are great, but overall i'd rather pay a few more dollars for really great food.

Thinking about really great Indian food makes me want to go to Vatan. It's expensive, but the food is so good it's definitely worth it. Pongal is also yummy. I've been meaning to try more places in Queens, since everyone knows that the best, most authentic food of any ethnicity is found in Queens. (I keep hearing mixed reviews of Jackson Diner; has anyone been there?) I hear there are pani puri joints in Jackson Heights! Anjali introduced me to pani puri as Dimple (on 30th St and 5th Ave) serves it. Pani Puri is made up of little crunchy puffs that you break a hole into, fill with potato, chickpeas and chutneys and pop into your mouth - it's so addictive! When i saw it at a buffet in Queens, i went nuts!

Tonight O brought over 2 pints of Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. Not only is this a real flavor (as opposed to low carb crap with crap mixed in), it's Freakingly Delicious! Over dinner last week, the entire table was raving in unison. Try it out, if you like ice cream!

posted by beXn @ 1:36 AM