Pan

Weird what he's nostalgic for, too: Am I jumping to conclusions to think the end of that sentence is a cocaine reference?

They sell zaatar at Kalustyan's, if that helps.

That restaurant should consider opening a booth at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Garlic Payasam would be a natural there. I don't think I'd like that, though.

There's a delicious pumpkin curry recipe in one of Madhur Jaffrey's cookboooks (I forget which one). In the days when my father used to eat pumpkin (he can't anymore because it has too much potassium for his diet), I made this every fall. I found that calabash/calabaza worked better than pumpkin or acorn squash, though.

Nope, I was never tempted. Isn't that a karaoke lounge?

Mark, are you making an analogy between frozen eggrolls and the Chinese restaurants in Flushing? I hope not. But I'm not sure I got your point.

The fact that there are a bunch of entries from New York, NY and - unless I missed one - none whatsoever from Flushing, NY is pretty damning. How can a serious ranking of Chinese restaurants in the U.S. totally ignore Flushing?

Indochine was a really hip place - about 15 years ago, I guess. Does anyone else wonder why it was worth reviewing now that many people have long since forgotten it's still in business?

You type with only two fingers, Kris? Wow!

Remember, everyone, we always have the "Daily Nihongo" thread. Kristin is a busy woman; let's be thankful for the time she's able to devote to the site and give her a break.

Nail polish remover? Kris, is it over already? Thanks so much for your generosity in taking time out to post and upload all those pictures!

That's interesting. Thanks for the explanation, Sam.

No, it's necessary for the body to function. Seems to me, if you don't get enough water, you experience not withdrawal but thirst. Is that really analogous to caffeine withdrawal? And if it is, should we talking about food withdrawal instead of starvation and oxygen withdrawal symptoms instead of anoxia?

Terrific! I wish Oxford was close enough for a weekend trip. There are some real advantages to living down South, aren't there?

I don't recall sheep sorrel having much of a stem at all, just low-lying leaves. Certainly, I don't recall anything prickly about it. I am fully confident I can recognize wood sorrel anywhere, but I haven't seen enough sheep sorrel to be confident I could differentiate it from similar-looking leaves, so I never intend to find out the hard way, like you did. But it could have been a lot worse. ojbowl, do all your friends and loved ones a big favor and never gather wild mushrooms.

It looked like the sheep sorrel in the picture I linked to? Any adverse reactions?

It doesn't bother me. He seems to me to be emphasizing conviviality as part of the experience of dining out. And it is for almost all of his readership.

I also wonder if Sahadi's will have all the things aunteejoy wants. If Atlantic Av. is convenient to her, it couldn't hurt to check them out. In terms of fresh pitas, Chickpea bakes their own and sells them by the bagful.

Damask Felafel on 5th and A? I really can't recommend them. Have you been to Chickpea yet? If you go there, I think you'll agree that there's no longer any reason to go to any other felafel place in the East Village. Welcome to eGullet, M. Lucia, and please keep posting, even when people disagree with some of what you say.

Suzanne, Kaya is Malaysian and has nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese food. I would be willing to bet that Sunrise doesn't carry it, but I believe that Hong Kong Supermarket and the Vietnamese store on Mulberry St. between Bayard and Canal, in addition to Udon's, would have it. Kaya is indeed a rich coconut custard sort of jam spread. You'd like it!

Mr. Cutlets, I'll try to get back to you when I've had some. I sometimes stay away from lamb because all that fat can be tough on my stomach at times.

You should be able to get some at Udon's Thai-Indonesian store on Bayard St., among other places.

Thanks for the heads-up, Steven! Wow, Grand Sichuan and now a serious Thai restaurant on St. Marks Place?! What's happening to the neighborhood? I'll be sure to add some thoughts after I have a chance to check out the place. Based on the menu, the most expensive dish is $16, and most are closer to $10. As you said, more than Sripraphai but not expensive.

I didn't realize that. Regardless, it's cool that you're writing for the Times!