David G. Imber wrote:
>
>
> I really didn't want to respond to this thread because it's
> populated with bigots, nimrods and bigoted nimrods, so why bother?
> (The OP, btw, didn't seem to fit into either of those categories
> particularly, judging especially from his trenchant and well-observed
> sign-off).

Heh heh...full disclosu I had been thinking of quipping, "no wonder
they can't beat the Israelis!"

>
> But for others who don't fall into those categories and who
> are genuinely interested in the NYC food scene: One of the great
> thrills of dining in NYC is that many places cater almost exclusively
> to fellow nationals, because many, many nationalities have expatriate
> communities here. That's an advantage because the fare is authentic
> and compares favorably to food back home. If I'm Lebanese, say, and I
> go into a local Lebanese place and the food is poor compared to what I
> was raised with, the word of mouth in the community will close that
> place in short order. The trade-off is that these places are
> accustomed to not having to explain their offerings, how to eat them,
> etc. Most such places will inform you if you care to ask politely, and
> if their language abilities are up to it. It helps to either do
> research or make friends with a national (taking someone to lunch or
> dinner in such a circumstance is a win-win for both sides).

Yes, you are right -- but something like "grilled chicken salad" being
in the menu but when you ask for it the guys are like "???" is just
plain weird. Or something being in the menu but they don't have it
today (and I'm not talking sea-food or a situation like that). Or just
plain sometimes the guy's open, other times not! Though I rather
understand that one...he's a real chef and cooks when he feels like it.

> Anyone who doesn't want to bother doing a little "homework"
> still has the option in NYC of going to more "mainstream" places that
> cater to a more "non-ethnic" audience. Most such places are reviewed
> extensively in various media, so all those troubling issues are
> resolved for them. The food may or may not be deracinated,
> watered-down versions of the real thing, but maybe that's OK.

Yes, of course. Steinway Street (the Arab part) is like a hip place to
go for those who think Greenwich Village or Williamsburg is too
mainstream.

> If that's still too uncertain, one can go to the "Chinatown
> Express" at the mall, or move to Des Moines or whatever.

Well, I wouldn't mind too much an Arab version of it. Actually, I
wonder why no one's ever tried this: a "food of the world" franchise!
But authentic, not something that tastes like "regular American fare,"
only with a dash of exoticism...there are enough "cross-over" dishes in
any cuisine which can be totally authentic but still quite accessible
to most any palate....

> DGI