anil

Have you tried Al Baraka up by UES ? They have Hrira

For mezes and the kinds of it - I have had good experience at Pasha ( Off Columbus & 70 ?), and Ouzeria (sp?) ( 50th & 9th )

Before I begin: Asia or Europe ? Moderator note: this message was slightly edited to include the "asia or europe" question which originally was in the topic title. After merging this thread with a newer one both dedicated to Istambul the title was modified and the sense would have been lost.

I'm not sure about trains to France. I think the station is different than Sants. I do not have my old notes handy, so I cannot name the station.

There are many different types and brands of Cachacas in Brazil. A substitute for cachaca is Vodka - Caiprivodka, prominently advertised in many of the beach cafes by Copa. Some of these places make a really potent caiphrinia, which an unsuspecting gringo tends to slug down, and a carioca knows to avoid. Caiprivodka has a lesser hangover IMHO Been there - done that Check my old reports.

I agree with Suvir, it is a nice chaat place. I do not know how it is during weekdas or evenings, but on weekend 'noons, it is quiet and extra attention is paid to humble folks like us

To Nina's list add Oriental Garden (on Elizabeth), Pings (Mott) New Green Bo (bayard)

Hmmm !!! Sounds delicious. Better still convince one of the restaurants to make it as a one-out special, this way non-cooks like moi can enjoy it too

I thought their lamb tajine was mild - compared to my recollection of similar dish in CMN. It's on Ganesvoort St. Corner of Ganesvoort & Greenwitch St.

When I was young, I used to be able to detect the subtle pronounciation differences between various bengalis - It started by differenciating between bangals Vs Khotis, and then got trained to sub-classify. Now, most bengali I hear are from Banladeshis in NYC.

Both Voicestream (T-mobile) and NexTel have coverage in Europe. NeXtel's i2000. Nextel is also there in Brazil and Argentina. AT&T, does rent out a SIM for european usage- the coverage (i.e. agreements with other carriers) is spotty. If monies are no object, try Satphone

Fresh Gaspacho soup made from summer vegetables

Oliva: What is bhel puri masala ? I spent a lot of time in my youth in Bombay, now known as Mumbai; home of bhel-puri, I do not recall seeing any bhel-puri masala. Maybe I wasn't too observant. Sandra: The essential difference in Chaat masala, is addition of Amchur (powder of dried unripened mangoes) and kala namak (black rock salt) to the usual suspects

I Rt/wk, should put you into 70 segments, way above to make GM. With DeltaAmex, you should get double miles.

As I mentioned earlier, Milos and maybe Periyli (sp?) on 20th St. There used to be a decent place that closed down called Periyus (sp?) on 57th, it was on the second floor. And another restaurant in Bayside (the name escapes me) I was taken to by some folks who had arrived from Greece.

Are we not seeing a similar trend developing here in our own NYC ?

For a long long time, I never carried a Credit card, just Amex. It let me keep my finances in check. Hence, a no Amex would become a hassle. Now, I've become a big-credit-balance-slut

Been there, done that - In the matters of First : SR,SQ and JAL were way up there. Now-a-days all catering is outsourced - you specify what you want and how much you are going to pay for it. In NYC, Luftansa Catering does it all Same kitchen, different menus, different prices. YMMV

Marcus is right. Molyvos opened to an inflated hype. While the food in the early months, years ago was good - It wasn't exactly ***. having said that, this and Milos are two greek restaurants we drop by without reservations and are accomodated and welcomed with a smile

You need a tri-band phone with GSM carrier to operate successfully in Europe. Voicestream (soon to become T-Mobile) is the most reliable. Last year, Voicestream did not charge be international roaming, or incoming calls in seven countries in Europe,Asia and South America as they (so I was informed) ironed out inter-carrier agreements. You could also rent-a-phone. If you manage to get an inexpensive non-blocked tri-band phone, you could buy prepaid cards.

Did I say that I'd be the primary resident no ?, However extended weekend visits are possible. DL/AF have five flights/day ex NYC to CDG -- The library is one of a Derrida Colleague - enough said. Balzar used to be a place folks from Languages used to hang out in the late '70s and in one of her weaker moments, Particia, praised its atmosphere - since then it's mostly ....... Arrogant waiters too

Developed a habit of using bottled water because sometimes I forget where I am Once, in a country that shall remain nameless, I deligently avoided slipup in using water which was not opened from a bottle in front of us, only to have ordered Coke - which came with ice -- That small slip caused three days of grief within 48 hours

Ah, meshwi - It is actually pit-roasted, more popular in the Berber communities. Similar preparations are known along the rst of N.Arfica, like Algeria, Egypt amongst others.

Thanks eveybody, promises were made, gifts were exchanged - Two blocks from Sorbonne, a block off Balzar (sp?), an apartment with an extensive library -- In return, one in NYC near CP,Lincoln Center, Bwy and all restaurants from 63rd - 49th on the west-side with easy walking distance

Try some Halal butchers in Bklyn, or Bronx. The operant word is "mutton"