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It's a shame that you sometimes have to be that aggressive. I'd prefer if they'd wait for approval before starting the sandwich, but I guess they so seldom have people decline their samples that they save time by doing things the way they do.

You can still decline the meat, in which case, the counterman takes the meat out of the sandwich and makes up a different one for you. I give $1 extra in addition to my usual $1 tip in that situation.

Interesting you should ask, since we're having a discussion about starting a restaurant in NYC right now. Click here.

Ya-Roo, you don't have promise of return for dinner, either.

Did he give you a sample? Did you ask for a different, fattier slab of meat? How many times did you ask for another slab of meat? I ask because I've found the countermen responsive. About asking for the pastrami to be cut from the plate, there I can't help you. I frankly wouldn't know how to recognize the plate. But I do know what I like when I taste and chew it.

Is it possible to have too much onion? I enjoyed getting to know you a little from this blog. Stay warm and feel better.

I agree with Phaelon that $25 was a good deal, especially since you had such a good time. That's ultimately what really counts, isn't it? Thanks for the reports.

Kurl, did you taste a sample first? Occasionally, I reject a sample and they get another slab of meat for me.

"If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..." Hey, someone was going to quote that; why not me.

Vickie, thank you very much for giving us some of your time and for providing such informative biographical information. On a personal note, this is so exciting for me, as I've been a space enthusiast since, as a 4-year-old, I saw the Apollo 11 blast off in 1969! I'd love for you to let us in on what special expertise you need in managing a food program for astronauts that someone in charge of earth-bound food services doesn't need. How does weightlessness go into the equation, and what other special considerations have to be taken into account?

My grandmother was also from Austria, which in that case means just west of the River Zbruch, which is now some 200 miles into Ukraine. Austro-Hungary was a huge multi-national empire. This is also shown by the fact that my grandmother spoke Yiddish (the language of the Jews, of which she was one) and Ukranian (the language of the local peasants) to begin with, then learned Polish (the language of the local nobility), German (the language of the Austrian overlords), and French (the language of culture). By the time she was done learning the language of the neighboring Russian Empire, the nearby Romanian-speaking people and so forth, she became a translator for the local Imperial officials. Then she came to the U.S.

I can see why many in not most Malaysian and Indonesian foods are impossible: (1) Belacan (shrimp paste) (2) Dried salted shrimps

A nice part of living in a rented apartment, at least in New York City, is not having to pay for heating oil.

I gave a nice tip to the delivery guy, who was appropriately dressed for this weather, with a hat and scarf, and he appreciated it.

You really are dedicated to go out in this cold. I was out this morning in 4-degree temperatures (or whatever) with my super-hot winter clothes, but tonight, I've ordered delivery. And I'm wearing my long johns indoors!

Sure atap is a Malay word. I knew that.

$70/person on average in Tribeca is too high?

Well-done, bleachboy.

What water do you drink?

Thanks for that great report. I have to try this place now, as it's really not that far from where I live.

Thanks, John.

Definitely. I have no idea about their market share, but their "you have a lot riding on your tires" ads, featuring babies, are legendary in this country.

Thanks for your contribution, Shiewie. But what is kalamansi?

Obviously you have not eaten cow's foot soup or you'd know what's wrong with slime! I've had Jamaican cowfoot soup a number of times and liked it every time. But what's the slime? The cowfoot itself??

I agree with Shiewie on rambutan vs. lychee. Lychees are definitely more fragrant. But while I still prefer lychees to rambutan - and they export much better - a fresh rambutan is a really fabulous fruit! I just don't remember these other fruits AzRaeL and Shiewie are talking about. Also, I never liked ais kacang (shaved ice with beans, condensed milk, and various other stuff, a popular dessert throughout Southeast Asia).