sounds good
I make fun of Ali’s indifference all the time but the truth is that it usually benefits me. Especially when on vacation.
Me: “Maya has Spring Break in just ten short days. What am I going to do with her for an entire week?” Ali: “I have no idea.” Me: “Do you want to drop her off at your mom’s place and go somewhere for a few days?” Ali: “Sounds good.” Me: “Where do you want to go?” Ali: “You decide.” Me: “New York?” Ali: “Sounds good.”
Il Gattopardo: Fettucine with Lobster
I try not take advantage of the situation too much. But because I’m selfish and want things my way I end up taking advantage of the situation all the time.
So that’s why I decided to cut Ali a break when he got it in his head that he wanted to have lunch at – are you ready for it? – Grand Central Station.
Bice: Organic Salmon with Asparagus and Tomatoes
There was no stopping the running commentary in my mind, however, which worked overtime processing a variety of questions. But mainly I just wondered if I’d missed the memo that Grand Central was suddenly a secret NYC hot spot for lunch.
Still, I said nothing, navigated the subway from Chelsea Market (without getting lost I might add) and met Ali at Café Spice.
Landmarc @ Time Warner Center: Poached Eggs with Mixed Greens
Several hours later, when Ali and I thought we were going to die from food poisoning, we realized a couple of things:
- One should never eat fast Indian food.
- Especially at Grand Central Station.
- It really behooves both of us – and our health – when I take advantage of the situation and make all pertinent decisions.
Tao Restaurant: Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
It’s been days and my stomach still hurts. I think it’s safe to say that neither of us will forget this little lesson anytime soon.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Ooohhh… that sucks. I feel that eating crappy mall cafeteria-style food is something you have to build up your stomach’s strength for. They should add that tid bit of information to travel guides.
Or the travel guides should point out that one should never eat at a cafeteria-style Indian restaurant. 🙂
What a shame! Your photos look like you did make a few good choices! 😉
Yes…it was all fantastic before (and after) that particular meal!
Mmmm…lovely pics, I’m drooling all over the keyboard here. But it’s too bad you had to endure an upset stomach. Hope to see you back with a bang, soon!!!
Thanks Fab. I swear, food poisoning symptoms take so long to go away!
Fast Indian food is only good in India…and even then you’ll probably pay for it for days! Looks like the rest of your meals made up for it though. Feel better!
I remember my sister eating from one of the roadside food vendors in India…I think she’s still recovering!
Blah. Bad food sucks. I see a couple tasty looking pictures up there though! Hopefully it didn’t affect your whole trip East; I do love a visit to New York. 🙂
I didn’t let it effect my whole trip! I dragged myself around, sickness and all.
My husband & I love love Indian food (my SIL introduced them to us). We’ve neve tried fast Indian food though. Hope you guys feel better by now.
Indian food is great…it’s just hard to find reputable Indian places to eat at!
Oh yucky 😦 It’s Ali’s fault!
Hope you can enjoy the rest of your trip!
Katie
Thanks Katie…the rest of the trip was great. Despite being sick!
Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream!!!
OMgoodness. This looks INCRED. Have Fun, A ❤
I had a few bites (the ones I could wrestle away from Ali) and it was incredible!
My sweetheart’s indifference usually lands us at Burger King, aka land of inedible food. It’s always better if they are willing to let you make all the decisions.
Ali would land at BK too. Or Mickey D’s if I let him! He has the strangest eating habits…
Welcome to my world of gallbladder “revolts against all the things”…it’s such a jerk. I hope you feel better soon!
I’m so sorry about your gallbladder…feeling this way all the time must really be trying…
Ali!! what a terrible call, with all the awesome places to eat in NYC and everything. bummer, I am so sorry your stomach still hurts.
Thanks for addressing Ali Daisy…he needs to hear that other people agree with me! 🙂
oh poached eggs! ❤ hope you feel better!
Poached eggs are great…just recently discovered how much I like them!
That is why when it comes to food (or everything esle), I like to take charge 🙂 always comes to your advantage and men end up thanking you or not! Hope you have a great trip in NYC.
Ali thank me? Never. Even when he knows I made a good decision!
Chocolate Lava Cake my favorite!! YUM. NYC again?….I’m jealous…Again. I like to think I have a stomach of Iron. My stomach probably could have handled it.
I thought Ali had a stomach of iron but even he was sick! And he never gets food poisoning…
So I’m guessing you two didn’t eat at my favorite halal food cart in NY? 🙂 I kid, I kid. I am totally envious of all the fabulous meals you had (and I hope, some fabulous shopping too)!
Ironically, I saw the halal food carts everywhere and I said to Ali, “These don’t seem too clean…”
Food poisoning is the WORST – of all the places in NYC, what was Ali thinking!
On the upside at least Maya wasn’t with you, can’t imagine tending to a throwing kid would’ve been much fun in your state. Hope your tummy’s feeling better now 🙂
Such a good point! Cleaning up her barf when I’m sick myself would have been unbelievably hard!
Oh no… I hope you’re feeling better.
Thanks Deena!
Dang it! Food poisoning, such a bummer. And the food you picked looks so good. I can see what you were thinking when he wanted to eat in Grand Central out of all of the places in NYC?
Funny, my sister and brother in law were here for Easter and as they were leaving to go back to Southern Cal, (they take hwy 5) my brother in law says, “hey let’s stop at the burger place, they had the best burgers!” (some joint in the middle of nowhere). My sister in law replies, “no, they didn’t have the best burgers-you were just really hungry.” To which my brother in law just stands there and says, “oh.” I was cracking up. Sometimes they just need to be told. Hahahahaha 🙂
I’m sorry your stomach still hurts, truly it’s miserable-thinking of you and wishing you well,
Shauna
Funny how we have to remind them that something wasn’t good, or that they didn’t like it last time, isn’t it? Can you imagine how much useless information (like our husband’s likes/dislikes) we store in our brain?
Thanks for the well wishes Shauna…I am slowly getting better…
awww.. sorry you feel sick with food poisoning. so funny, last night my husband went for jury duty and picked up Andhra food on his way home from a Dosa place, and I was so excited, but i was soooooooo nauseous this morning. Yeah, cleanliness is probably a big issue at Indian fast foods.
I actually like Grand Central too for lunch… maybe not on vacation, but definitely if you are catching a train. YOu’re so nice you let him eat there, my hubbs would have pushed to eat there too, but i’d fight back and we’d have a big fight over where to eat.
That fettuccine and lobster looks great!!!
Overall, it looks like you had a great time.
You too? I am so sorry. And dosa is the best…can’t imagine how someone can mess that one up!
I totally take advantage of my husband too when it comes to things he could care less about (home furnishings), but when it comes to movies he has a strong opinion and refuses to see anything that even seems like it might be a love story.
The good thing about that bad experience is now he knows for sure that you know better.
Luckily Ali doesn’t have too much of an opinion on movies…and when he does I tell him to go see that particular movie with someone else.
I’m terribly selfish… I know!
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that that particular restaurant probably isn’t the only establishment in Grand Central at which one has an increased likelihood of contracting a food-borne illness. Just a hunch. But I’d also venture to say that the result of Indian food illness is probably slightly more…torturous and memorable than other cuisines. 🙂
Actually, there were so fairly respectable restaurants in Grand Central, including an outpost of Magnolia Bakery! Trust us to choose the shadiest place…
Oh no! I had a bad experience with some beer-battered fish recently and needless to say, I will not be eating fried seafood again anytime soon. And to think, I ate fish because I was trying to be good for Lent.
Fish is so touch-and-go. I know way too many people who’ve had food poisoning from seafood!
Ohhh . . . that’s no good. At least you confirmed that you should in fact be making these decisions after all. 🙂
The silver lining I suppose?
Get better soon. Funny enough (not 😉 ) I am also SO sick today! I’ve thrown up 6 times and I can’t get out of bed. Yucky.
You poor thing…feel better soon!
Cringe, ouchey, cringe Ameena – this is why I despise most Indian commercial establishments. Too many times the food sucks to the detriment of ones health not to mention the slop served has nothing in common with Indian home cooking. Ugh! Feel better Dear!
Thank you Devaki! And you are lucky to have such cooking skills…I’m sure you’ll never find yourself reaching for fast Indian food like the rest of us non-cooks. 🙂
What, no pics of the meal in question (or maybe I should say, “questionable meal”)?
I pretty much make all of the vacation plans, too. I do try to consider my husband’s opinions, but usually only in narrowing down potential destinations, not in deciding any actual travel specifics. I shudder to think what would happen if he actually had to make reservations and plan activities for a trip. Not sure he’d actually book the appropriate number of nights, and we’d probably eat McDonald’s a whole lot…
The fact that I didn’t want to photograph the meal in question probably should have been a sign that I shouldn’t have eaten the meal in question…
Oh man Ameena, for whatever you say, you are definetely a better wife than I could ever be…fast food Indian is a no-no…heck any kinda Indian food when I’m in NYC is a no-no! Hope you guys are feeling better, and glad you were able to get in some delicious eats before…I’m not even kidding when I say you ate all my favorite foods: salmon, vanilla bean ice cream, lobster fettucini & poached eggs–> divine!
I’ve had really good Indian food in NYC! But not fast Indian food…
Years ago, I ate at Cafe Spice and I really enjoyed their food. Maybe the quality has gone down. New York city has no dearth of good restaurants. I also love the little carts that sell the kebabs (shawarma) on the street.
I would love to visit Tao restaurant the next time I am there. I did recommend that place to me last time. The chocolate cake looks to die for.
My brother said that he’d eaten at Cafe Spice too and I think he was okay with it…so maybe the quality has gone down?
Definitely check out Tao…it’s excellent every single time we go!
Sorry I always type so fast , meant to say, you recommended Tao restaurant to me.
The only food I’ve ever eaten at Grand Central has been a bagel and cream cheese. And for good reason!
I am jealous Ali is such a pushover. My husband is the opposite, plus he never wants to go anywhere. Booo. Luckily he has other positive attributes.
I wish I’d gone the bagel and cream cheese route…
Aw! Sorry it turned out not so great for your stomachs. I’ll make sure not to ever eat at Grand Central Station.
Glad I could save even just one person from making the same mistake!!
yeah….My choice would’ve been the classic Grand Central Oyster Bar. Food is okay but the space is amazing. You should also go back and have drinks at The Campbell Apartment at Grand Central. Not trendy, but a cool space to have a tipple…
Not sure that I even saw an Oyster Bar! But the place was pretty hectic so maybe I walked right by…
Okay so I’m finally getting that none of those pictures are actually of your lunch at Grand Central. But honestly why stop there when there are perfectly good middle eastern stands lining Park Avenue, serving dubious meat?
I would have been better off with the food cart vendors! And to think that I thought their meat looked dubious…
wow the food looks delish! …and great convo’s with ali all the time Ameena!!!
“Great convo’s” and “Ali” don’t usually go together… 🙂
You absolutely deserve your break in New York. I am sure that the one bad meal will be a distant memory in comparison to the rest! Enjoy the alone time!
Thank you Rufina! We had a great time. 🙂
Ali’s comments are the best! Have a great trip!
Thanks Emily!
I cannot tell a lie, I looked up an online menu so that I could get a “real” feel for what actually transpired.
The closing thought that I will leave you with: My sorority sisters always taught me that if I had a wild night out and got particularly sick, my legs would look 11/10 the next morning. God bless dehydration. I hope that you at least were able to enjoy that small bit of solace.
So true! I looked really toned the next day. And the day after that….so I would say that might be the only perk of food poisoning!
I shall remember to keep away from fast Indian food when I get to NYC 🙂
Hope you’re feeling better now, Ameena. If its any consolation, at least Maya weren’t with you guys and you didn’t have to clean up any of her throw up.
So true LeQuan…the silver lining. 🙂
We were in Chelsea market on Thursday and I am obsessed with “The Filling Station.” Don’t know if you saw it, or went there, but you HAVE to at some point! I got the coconut balsamic vinegar and it is one of the best things I have ever tasted. Sounds weird, but it is ooooooohhh so right.
I was in Chelsea Market on Friday! Too bad we missed each other. Oddly enough, I didn’t see “The Filling Station.” Next time I’ll check it out for sure!
So sorry Ameena…hope you guys are feeling much better.
Thank you…we are doing much better now!
we both should elope and live in nyc.
I think that is the best idea I’ve heard all day long…
Oh dear Indian fastfood is not good. Not even in India!!