How I survived St. Pat's

[muckefuck]

As planned, we made it up to Bhabi's Kitchen on Devon and had the privilege of being waited upon by Bhabi herself. (This isn't a given name, rather a word meaning "sister-in-law"; it's a polite form of address for married females. So the name of the restaurant is something like "Auntie's Kitchen".) When I ordered my dish, I naturally used the Panjabi name rather than the Hindi one printed on the menu, which sent her into fits of laughter. It seems this was a good thing though; when asked about it, she meerily replied, "You're speaking my language!" That was all I attempted, however.

So the only green food on the table was the saryon da saag (or, if you must, sarson ka saag) and the hari chutney. The latter was served alongside tamarind chutney and raita, so we were able to make little Italian flags on our plates. Viva San Giuseppe! Besides the makki di roti, we had bread made from chickpea flour (besan) and her special naan with onions and green pepper. "Like pizza," she told us, "only without the cheese!"

monshu regretted not getting a lamb dish. The haleem he ordered was interesting, but no substitute. There was nothing at all wrong with the mattar paneer, but I thought the standout dish of the night was the butter chicken. The texture was truly astounding: So firm yet tender that at first I was wondering if she had given us a version made with fish instead. Oh, and I should definitely mention the samosas (vegetable and meat), which were outstanding.

While we were killing time before dinner, monshu and I saw a convoy of flag-waving SUVs amid much honking and stereo-blasting. I figured it had something to do with the World Cup of Cricket now in progress, but I didn't recognise the red circle on a dark green field as the national flag of Bangladesh. It was only when I got home that I discovered that it was the bongs rubbing their surprise victory over India into everyone's faces. (Not least of all those of the Pakistanis, who were similarly upset by the Irish national team.)

After dinner, we finished off at King Sweets. I was intrigued by the dal pini, doubly so when I asked the clerk about it and he actively discouraged me from buying it. It wasn't bad--in its butteriness and grainy texture, it rather reminded me of khulfi--but I probably won't order it again. Not when there's the best kaju katli and habshi halwa in town to be had instead.

Comments

[tyrannio.livejournal.com]

They don't call butter chicken the state bird of Khalistan for nothing. We should go sometime: I keep telling innerdoggie about the greens and cornbread of Punjab.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

And they're the soul food of Punjab! Popular singers warble wistful paeans to them!

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

I heard a rumor you were thinking of organizing an outing this Sunday. If so, I'd love to go!

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

catechism and I went there a couple of months ago, and ever since I have wondered why I don't eat there every week. If I had been smart enough to do so, I might've been able to sample all the varieties of naan by now.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Because, apparently, you can't keep from getting sick for that long at a stretch.

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

Perhaps my years holed up in the house made me susceptible to All The Germs.

Isn't Bhabi's close to my present abode? Should we try to plan an outing?

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

A short walk to the corner and a five-minute bus ride. (Even with a transfer, it took monshu and I a mere twenty minutes.) I'm game most any time you are (although school nights are a problem, since the spicy foods push back my bedtime).

[snowy-owlet.livejournal.com]

How about earlyish on Sunday?

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

How early is "earlyish"? Can tyrannio and innerdoggie come along?

I'll get back to you after I know what monshu's and my weekend plans are.

[(Anonymous)]

I dunno. Early enough that you can go to bed at a reasonable hour. I already invited the rulers of Chateau SpookyRain, so we might as well make it a party.

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed! we can come along.

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

We are feeling too lame to make it up to Devon on Sunday. I hope we can organize an outing another time.