LaNiña

Huh? Why? Only certain parts of the cow are deemed kosher, according to the laws of kashrut.

I'm sitting here eating watermelon with feta cheese, which I realize in certain parts of the world isn't weird, but here, man, the reactions I get...you'd think I was eating a sheep's eyeball or something What food combinations do you guys eat that are "weird?" I love cottage cheese with ketchup, for example...

Ha ha Halal House. You know the Bahai faith? Did you know that their sacred text is called the "Bahaible?" heheheh Rachel, Jews of all denominations keep kosher. I would venture to say that *all* orthodox Jews keep kosher, but plenty of conservative and reform Jews, too. It's a matter of family tradition in many cases. Personally, I'm with Steve on this one. The kashrut laws were created for practical reasons which don't exist anymore.

"There are plenty of Jews and Moslems who figure that as long as meat conforms to one or the other set of dietary laws, it's good enough for them to eat. But there are also plenty who think the differences are significant enough that they're not interchangeable." I beg to differ. Any kosher law-observing Jew would never in a million years eat halal meat. Some non-observant Jew who might be concerned only with the humane treatment of animals might, but no observant Jew, no way, no how.

Wilfrid darling, we'll go to Babbo... (who do I think I was, just then?)

Babbo (so embarassed to admit it). Just haven't. I Coppi (heard the garden is to die for) Ihawan (they make things with blood)

I love Mabat. Kosher has its limits, but man, that place is good. I think it's the best humus around. I might add, if you go with a real Hebrew speaker (me, for example :-), it's quite different...

Somebody emailed this to me today - from the Village Voice, no idea when: "Loveliest Lamb Testicles - Café Shishkebab The barbecued sweetbreads are way better than the testicles—which are a bit rubbery and frozen tasting—but, hey, I got your attention, didn't I? CAFÉ SHISHKEBAB is a serviceable Uzbeki café featuring budget charcoaled shish kebabs, very good bread lubricants like baba ghanoush and hummus, and killer french fries. The chicken tabaka, a garlicky bird crushed flat, is also the best in Brighton Beach, much better than the versions served at those tedious boardwalk establishments. -Robert Sietsema 414 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brooklyn 718-368-0966"

Thanks so much for that, er, clarification.

Liquor stores in NJ sell cold beer too?

I don't wanna shlep beer on the train from the city - but if I have to, I will.

Is there a place near the train station/restaurant where one can buy cold beer? Decent beer? Can one buy beer in NJ on Sundays?

Ok, so I'm a moron. I'll eat anything.

I have to decide now what I'll be in the mood to eat on Sunday? I don't wanna.

I wanna play musical chairs! About the heat - I can take it really hot as long as I have breaks of non-hot stuff. Oy, the price I'll pay the next day.

Ok so maybe it's here somewhere but I'm lazy...I'm thinking of heading to Chinatown after work - anybody know where there's a decent Pocky selection?

I love Pimm's. I always have a bottle on hand in the summer. Here's what I do: Pour Pimm's into pint glass; fill with ice. Top with cold ginger ale. Garnish with slice of lime. You're "supposed" to also garnish with a slice of cucumber, but I never quite got that. Also, lemon is more traditional, but I like the lime better.

Oh yeah, there are good spleen sandwiches at Ferdinando's on Union St. in Carroll Gardens/Red Hook...

Yes, I ate them. They were delicious. They looked a little like broad noodles, and a similar texture, though a bit more rubbery. Really good. Another time there I had the crispy pork intestines, which I loathed. Actually tasted like manure. I had one bite, and forced myself to have another, and one more, and then gave up. And believe you me, I eat just about anything

Spleen is illegal? I have it at Kabab Cafe all the time...

I love Good Humor chocolate eclaires and toasted almonds. I'm not even sure if there's real dairy in them - I mean they *say* there is, but...

mrs. tommy can manage the vcr?

VCR?

Went to Ali's last night and had no offal My companion wasn't up for it. But talked to Ali about doing another offal-only dinner. Shall we organize such a thing? I'd be happy to. Edit: No offal, but dinner was great. Shrimp, a couple of different scallop preparations, duck, lamb shank....

My vote would be for "Thai Medium" level of heat. But I'll eat anything, as long as there are some breaks from the hottest of the hot. I like the two table idea - one long one does guarantee that we won't all talk to each other...