I’m a month into Weight Watchers. I’ve actually lost nine pounds.
So, when I found myself in Jackson Heights, I knew I was going to eat out, but I had a game plan.
I pretended that I was in a Foreign Country and that food was not the most important thing about this vacation. Like for instance, what if you found yourself in Vienna and pastry was not on top of your list of things to accomplish. Well, that was my attitude. I was a sight seer first and an eater second.
I walked around Jackson Heights and came across an incredible dense population of Indian and Pakistani’s… I kept walking and came into what seemed like a Brazilian and Argentinian community of steak houses. I knew I wasn’t eating steak tonight, if I wanted to lose any weight this week, so I headed back towards the South East section of Jackson Heights.
I made sure to walk around an hour before choosing a place to eat. There were plenty of fruit stands that had unusual fruit and vegetable stands. I got an apple, cause that is what I do before I go and eat in a restaurant. I knew that before I hopped back on the train, I was going to pick up some weird vegetables and try figuring out how to prepare them for a meal when it was time to go home. Weight Watchers had suggested picking up weird fruit and vegetables that you never had before to add some excitement in your life. Well, I looked at vegetables that I would never have even thought they were vegetables except that they were in the vegetable market.
As I walked back towards the subway on 74th Avenue, I knew my time to pick a place was at hand.
I came across the Himalayan Hut. At first glance it looked like a regular Chinese take out Restaurant.
I knew there was something different about this place. Why? The window had a sign which said,”Calcutta style Chinese Food,”
There were two menu’s inside; one had traditional Chinese food and the other had a fusion menu of Indian and Chinese cuisine. I was ready to eat. I only looked at the Fusion menu.
Now, the word “Fusion” has in the past turned me off. It has signified a cuisine of over indulgence of spices in overpriced restaurants catering to a Yuppie understanding of food by Chef’s too indulgent to add whatever to a simple dish. I never got the point of these restaurants. I just have never been happy in this kind of Fusion place.
However, Himalayan Hut came to their fusion in a natural way. The owner, Michael is from Cantanese descent who was born and raised in Calcutta. So, I was optimistic
I had the Manchow Soup, which was the best tasting Hot and Sour Soup I have ever eaten. I have really tried to find good Hot and Sour soup and have mostly given up. I felt brave here to try it and I was very pleased that I did. I might have found the holy grail for hot and sour soup.
Then I had Vegetable dumplings called Momo. My idea was to eat half the food I ordered and have leftovers for tomorrow. I did alright with the soup but the dumplings were so good and light, that I had six of the eight of them. They were steamed and not boiled. They were dry and light and delicious with a homemade chili chutney.
Now the food was spicy and I drank lots of water. I drank four glasses of water with my meal which was exceptional for me. This works in well with my dieting plans, I’m supposed to drink 8 glasses of water and well, I usually don’t. So,drinking 4 glasses in one sitting is a testament to spice. Now, not overspiced mind you, but it had heat.
Next, I heard my main dish coming out of the kitchen. I got a dish called Himalayan Sizzling dish which was not on the menu but my waiter suggested it. It’s one of those dishes that come out cooking as it greets you. I got shrimp and Tapia, and you know what, the dish was swimming not in sauce but with crisp broccoli, stringbeans and green peppers. Weight watchers heaven.
What a score this place was. I got to hang with the owner who was in rock bands in Calcutta . His band’s name was Pyromania. I plan on going back with a CD of Calcutta rock tunes to surprise him.
You know, tonight was a happening. I didn’t just have a meal. I had “Desi” food which means in Bengalese “Our Culture Food”. All the food was Halal, fresh and mecca.
I love my city so much. I was able to go away on vacation right in Queens. I got to eat a new kind of food, found a Holy grail in Hot and Sour Soup and met a really great guy with a vision of supplying a neighborhood with Chinese Food they haven’t had since leaving Calcutta. Wow! Now, I just need a Vienna pastry. (Just kidding, sort of.)
On the train I realized that I forgot to pick up any unusual fruits or vegetables to explore cooking with. Damn! I guess I’ll have to go back next week and get those weird huge pod like bumpy green things… Oh and I can stop in and say hi to Michael… and maybe get some soup, and some momo’s and perhaps some shrimp swimming with broccoli alive and kicking and doing the backstroke.
