I ordered the lunch special Mantoo (steamed beef dumplings; topped with yogurt and meat sauce) $9.95 and a Doogh (salty yogurt drink) $2.50. It came with a small side salad. The dumplings were definitely comfort food. I felt like I was eating food prepared by a friend’s ethnic mother. The Doogh drink was powerfully salty and sour, which summarized my whole meal –as both the dumplings and salad had plenty of soured yogurt on it. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed my lunch, but I could go without so much sour. The bread (soft on the inside and crisp on the outside) helped balance it out.
I asked for a table next to the window so I can take better photos and people watch while I ate. I turned around at the end of my meal and realized I was missing out on the ambiance of the restaurant inside. Afghani folk decor (with a framed photo of the National Geographic Afghan girl) and older couples dining who look like they met on Match.com.
Somehow I ended up being charged $17.90 for my meal. I felt so stupid because I wasn’t sure if my math was wrong or if I was just stupid. In the end, I tipped more. I always seem to do that. Like when it takes extra long in a cab because of traffic or when the cabbie starts yelling at me or when the cab gets into a wreck –I end up tipping them more. I’m probably encouraging their behavior. Anyway, this sour yogurt …this is what Osama is eating?
Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant – 358 3rd Ave (@ 26th St) New York 10016
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I
clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again.
Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!