New York (Food) State of Mind

Well, back from the 212 in the 954. Tired and a bit loopy, and Big Things afoot tomorrow.

But there are two things that deserve blogging about while they're still fresh-ish in my mind, both about food--Indian cuisine.

I had two Indian meals in New York, not a large number for a week. But both meals were special. First, we took the daughter of our friends, herself a friend, who goes to Yeshiva University's Stern College for Women, and keeps kosher, out to Madras Mahal, what I had thought was the only kosher Indian restaurant (vegetarian) in New York. The food was serviceable, about a 7 or a 7.5 on a 10 point scale. B. and I agree that our local Indian vegetarian restaurant in South Florida, Udipi Café (which unfortunately is not kosher) gets about a 9.5. In any case, our friend's daughter loved it, loved Indian food (Which she had not had before), and pronounced it the best meal she'd had in Manhattan.

But imagine my surprise: there is another kosher Indian restaurant two doors down from Madras Mahal, Pongal. It's Zagat rated, but I see from the reviews that it may not be as good as Madras Mahal. Oh well--an embarrassment of riches. So anyway, don't let your FFB (frum--Orthodox Jewish--from birth) status discourage you--kosher Indian vegetarian is out there.

Oh, my goodness. My goodness gracious. There's a kosher Indian fleishik (meat) restaurant in South Florida, in North Miami: Thai Treat/Bombay Café (same seating, same kosher supervision, etc.). I'm excited, very, at the thought.

Just a quick note: the other meal was also vegetarian, vegan actually, and was from a street cart in Washington Square Park (at W. 4th and Sullivan), right across from NYU's law school. It was a simple dosa, with sambar and coconut chutney, and it was to die for. Thanks go out to Thiru Kumar, the Dosa Man. If you're in the area, hungry for inexpensive, excellent Indian food, go see Mr. Kumar. Or call him--he sometimes runs out of items--at 917-710-2092.

Well, enough excitement--and drooling over Indian food--for one night. TTFN!