A Bengal Tiger Yelps, and Times Square
For dinner we Yelp-ed (it’s a new verb) for an inexpensive restaurant that would be high quality. We stumbled upon Bengal Tiger Indian Food, which was exactly what we wanted!
We love Indian food, and we can’t seem to find a good place near where we live. We used to have one that was pretty good, but it changed hands a few years ago and kinda went downhill. We’ve tried a few others in the area, but haven’t been blown away. So, we were eager to try this Bengal Tiger restaurant which was just a walk of a couple of blocks east of our hotel. We found the doorway and went up the stairs to the restaurant, which was on the 2nd floor. It wasn’t a very big restaurant, probably a dozen tables or so.
Oh, I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you about my camera. The “good” camera I’ve had for years of Disney trips went kaput during Marlene’s graduation ceremony. As she was nearing her turn to walk across the stage and receive her diploma, I put it on “burst” mode (where it would take a series of pictures as long as I held the shutter button down) so that I was sure to get some shots of her walking, receiving the diploma, and shaking hands with the Principal. Well, “burst” is exactly what it did. The flap that opens and reveals the sensor (used to be the film, in the old days) got stuck and wouldn’t completely open and close anymore. (We had to buy the professional pictures of graduation since I didn’t have any.) But, we were also going to be leaving on this big vacation in a couple of days so needless to say I was pretty distraught. I took it to a camera shop and they said that I was probably looking at a $300 repair, which was not really worth it given the age of the camera. I needed another expense like I needed a hole in my head (which is a strange expression when you think about the fact that there actually
are holes in your head, quite necessary ones too, but I digress). I just couldn’t imagine taking this huge trip to NYC, DisneyWorld, and Hilton Head without a good camera to document it so I sucked it up and bought a Canon EOS 100D. I bought the camera body only, since the lenses from my old one would work with it and that was a money-saver. They’ve progressed so far from when I bought the last one. This one has more megapixels, it can record video, and I really liked that it was lighter and more compact than the old one. And...the whole reason I bring up the subject of a new camera now is because it has a “food” setting and I think it does a great job capturing food pictures. I might have an opportunity or two to use that over the course of the trip.
But first, a picture of Marlene ready to dine.
And her trip companions.
Marlene and I ordered from the 3 Course Prix Fix section of the menu. I can’t remember exactly what Judy did. I think she was wary of the appetizer options and couldn’t have the desserts so just ordered something à la carte.
Here is my samosa and Marlene’s pakora (onion and spinach fritters).
The Indian food was fabulous! I got a spinach paneer dish, which I always love! The portions were huge. They didn’t look it coming from the kitchen, but plates can be deceiving.
I got the chicken korma (I love that stuff), and I think Judy got lamb vindaloo (or maybe it was chicken). And of course, some naan.
My favorite part of that meal was the dessert. It was this delicious rice pudding with raisin-like bits. I guarantee you it was not as gross as that description just made it seem. I loved it so much that, despite my already full stomach, I ate the whole bowl given to me.
This meal was fantastic. The best Indian food I’ve had in a loooong time. And best of all, it was inexpensive, which is contrary to everything you’ve heard about New York. The 3-Course Prix Fix option was $17.95. I think we only paid around $70 for this meal, including tip. (And this was the most expensive meal of the trip -- we ate cheap!) We were so stuffed, we took some leftovers back to our hotel fridge.
After dinner dad and I went to check out Times Square.
Judy’s been to New York City a couple of times chaperoning school trips so she opted to stay back at the hotel and get a head-start on catching some z’s, but seeing Times Square was a first for both Marlene and I, and we needed to see it at night. Hey, what’s another 10-block walk?!
We walked down 7th Avenue and all I could think about was the Rolling Stones’ “Shattered”, with the lyrics,
“All this chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter, chitter-chatter 'bout
Shmatta, shmatta, shmatta -- I can't give it away on 7th Avenue
This town's been wearing tatters (shattered, shattered)”
We got there and the place was jumping. Even on a weeknight in June. Everything was so bright it seemed like daytime.
That’s a primo location Marlene -- just hold that spot until New Year’s Eve!
Do my eyes deceive me or is that a hidden Mickey in the wires over my head?
Marlene took a video of herself turning and capturing all of Times Square behind her. I’m not sure where her video ended up or if it’s saved somewhere, but I thought it was a great idea and made one too.
I suspect that Times Square is completely full of tourists and native New Yorkers avoid it like the plague, except for those who work there, like Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty, whom you can see in the lower left of this photo.
We also saw other characters as well, like Mickey Mouse and Spiderman, but these folks are old news compared to the latest development at Times Square that’ll make you do a double-take and ask yourself if you’re actually seeing what you think you’re seeing -- women wearing only body-paint and a bikini bottom. (And posing for pictures of course, there’s always a money angle.) I’ve seen this topic in the news since we’ve returned from New York and apparently toplessness is legal in the city, but this latest turn of body-painted-bosoms in Times Square is causing a fair amount of consternation and a new legal battle is heating up. Naturally, as a dad on a walk with his impressionable young daughter and this teachable moment before me.....I made absolutely no mention of it whatsoever and we just kept walking. And to be honest, there is so much visual stimulation there; I don’t even know if she saw it. Yeah she probably did.
I had to be sure to get a shot of the Lion King sign for the trip report.
Here’s a look back toward Times Square as we left. So much light.
The drivers are pretty aggressive, I’m sure they have to be in order to get anywhere. This truck driver pulled part-way through the intersection and then the light changed and he was completely blocking 7th Avenue. I can’t even imagine driving a semi-truck in New York City.
And that evening I received this snapchat from my sister, of our dog:
Up next:
New York Botanical Garden
Good to have you here. No problem, catch up whenever you can. I know the feeling! Looking forward to your TR.
Then again...
The official camera of the Disboards!
