Bombay_Curry's Profile
What's a good recipe book/ blog for untalented beginers? [Moved from Not About Food board]
So, I'm getting married to a man who prefers home-cooked food, and short of running to my ma-in-law for care packages (not a good idea! it could be addictively easy) I'm going to have to learn to cook myself. I can manage thawing, some grilling and can-opening, and I may resort to all the shortcuts, but its a new engagement and I still have the best of intentions, so .. looking for a recipe book/ blog for untalented beginners. I've generally been good with following precise directions but I can never season "to taste". I still want some "sexy" recipes so that he doesn't miss momma too much. Any ideas?? TIA.
Best <$5 lunches in East Village, West Village, Chinatown and Union Square
Caracas in East Village does great arepas and $5 gets you an empanada and creamy venezuelan guacamole. El Cocotero in Chelsea had even better arepas - while most arepas are $6-7, I had the avocado arepa for just a shade under $5, and it was overflowing. Really filling and delish. You could also have 2 pastelitos for five bucks and all the empanadas are under $5. Real good value.
One "destination" lunch in Arlington/ DC
Thanks a lot, everybody, for all the suggestions. Looks like I have these options: RE, Bebo and Tallula (which I'm learning towards - right geography and all else). Have already eaten at Willow on a previous trip. How about if I closer into DC? And DG, destination chef is good :). Coming into DC just for this lunch - I get to pick the place and I wanted it to be perfect for a three-year reunion. Really appreciate all the tips.
One "destination" lunch in Arlington/ DC
Travelling to the DC/ Arlington area mid-week with just enough time for a leisurely lunch. In your chow opinions, whats the one must-do spot IF a good value wine list is more important than food (light, cafe-ish fare is great)? Open air would be a happy bonus. TIA.
6 Restaurant recs under $60 p.p. all in
Zeytin had made my list :)) as had Cafe Viva. Surprisingly, not too many vegans in India (I cant think of one vegan restaurant in the country. Ditto with Ethopian and Senegalese, though the food is quite similar to regional Indian). I'm still overwhelmed with the number of dining options that New York has. Thanks a lot, everybody :)
6 Restaurant recs under $60 p.p. all in
Wow. Thanks a lot for all the recommendations! Incidentally, been to New Green Bo on my last visit here :) What should I absolutely order at any of the dominican restaurants (leaning towards awash .. I once had a great ethiopian stout that I would love to repeat .. thanks for the tip LNG). La Palapa looks great (checked out their website): two quick q's: do they do fresh guacomole on the table? And which of the locations (East Village or West Village) is better? Can't wait to get there :)
trishna in Mumbai, India
Went to Trishna last week as my last pre-monsoon seafood binge and came out a little underwhelmed and a lot sticker-shocked. The usual suspects - calamari butter-pepper-garlic: chewy and disconcertingly salty. The Hyderabadi ajwaini fish tikka was superb but sooo tired of the same dish. FYI, whole crabs (as opposed to random crab in the curry) can get really pricey here! We paid about $55 for 2 crabs. That's a LOT by Indian standards and substantially more than what the waiter had indicated it would cost. If you want Bombay duck, head to any one of the many Gajalees. Apoorva has great mussels and non-sea food fiery Mangalore cuisine. And only someone who hasn't been to Trishna will say that Mahesh is in the same league. Mahesh and Bharat Excellensea are both adequate but despite its faults, imho, Trishna is still the best coastal cuisine.
Mumbai, Kerala, and Goa
Disclaimer: I normally head to Cochin (Kochi) on expense accounts so the following tips are not quite budget. Regardless, basic western comforts come at a cost (btw, is this your first visit to India?). Clubbing in the hotels with this thread because unfortunately, a lot of the good eating is to be found in your own lobby.
Hotels: A good 4* property in Cochin (Kochi) is the Trident Hilton (about $200 per night incl/ taxes). A more "heritage" property is the Boatyard (about $150 per night). The Taj is a popular 4*-5* chain across India - it is always a good option in any city that has it. Cochin has Taj Malabar and Taj Residency for $150 per night again. It is the monsoons - so any stay over 2 nights should qualify you for a third free night.
Dining: the Taj Malabar has a great Keralite seafood restaurant called The Riceboat (though locals will tell you it's not quite authentic. The Waterfront (at the Malabar again) is a good teatime place. Head to Woodlands for unexceptional but sanitary South Indian vegetarian fare. If you are less squeamish, you could head to the Chinese fishing nets, which are a string of seaside stalls next to Fort Cochin, where they literally pick fresh seafood out of the sea for you.
Not aware enough of the dining scene in Alleppey and Trivandrum to comment (only done quick in-and-out trips here) but from what I hear - exceptional spa resorts with great chefs. If thats where you're headed, you're going to have a great trip!
6 Restaurant recs under $60 p.p. all in
Will be in NY after three years, just for 4 nights :(. The last time I was here I was on a strict jobless budget so Matchstick_Girl_looked_in a lot! Reckon I'll have a total of 6 discretionary meals this time around but my budget really hasn't expanded that much. Looking for 6 *exceptional* value meals (under $60 p.p. all in) to make my trip. Filters (flexible) - primarily vegetarian palate. Love ethnic (except Indian .. I live in India so no Indian for obvious reasons). Really want to try Dominican (never have) and Ethiopian (had a great meal last time). I lot of people have recommended Dos Caminos and Sushi Samba, but I dunno, they seem somewhat frat-like. Also happy to scrounge on a few meals and have one nice splurge farewell meal. Suggestions, people? In your chow hands.
