Restaurant Review: Amla

Indian food has always been problematic in my family. My father and sister have a higher tolerance for spiciness than I do, my mother's tolerance is much lower than any of us, and that's before we even get into the problems with specific foodstuffs. As such, it tends to be very difficult to find an Indian restaurant that has enough dishes for everyone to get something that they can eat. However, there is a bright spot on the horizon. Earlier this year a new Indian restaurant opened up right in my neighborhood that offers perhaps a wider array of delicious delicacies than any other eatery we've ever come across.

Built in the same space as a previous Indian restaurant, Amla is different from many similar establishments. When I stopped to look at the menu, I noticed that there were a greater number of vegetarian dishes than the two other major restaurants in the area ("Indian Cafe" and "Indus Valley"). Upon further examination, I decided that this establishment dealt with, at least to a degree, more with foods from the south of India, which has a strong vegetarian tradition. Meats and seafood are on offer as well, along with multiple breads and various rice dishes.

The decor and atmosphere in the restaurant is equally innovative. Warm colors of gold, orange and brown surround the diners; the metal wall sconces are shaped like twisting stems with cut-glass flowers as shades for the light bulbs; Indian music plays softly from multiple speakers; and best of all, the service is impeccable. The only major flaw of the place is their desserts; I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but nearly all of the desserts were dairy-based/made with condensed milk, usually with some other minor element that served as flavoring.


All things considered, Amla is most certainly a worthy addition to the restaurant scene in my neighborhood, and my family and I certainly plan on returning in the future. Based on our experience, the cost was roughly $25 per person, so if you're willing to go for it, I would highly recommend you plan your next date or gathering at this remarkable Indian eatery.

AMLA | NEW YORK'S FINEST INDIAN CUISINE 

Restaurant Review: Aquagrill

They say that "fish is brain food". If that's the case, then one of the best universities in the city is undoubtedly Aquagrill, located at 210 Spring Street on 6th avenue. If fish and seafood are your cup of tea (the restaurant has, in addition to the main menu, over 20 varieties of oysters + a full raw bar) and you're willing to spend that extra dollar, then hop the fastest form of transportation you can and get to this place for a culinary experience you'll never forget.

When judging quality of food and quality of service (the two most important qualities of a restaurant experience), Aquagrill was pretty much split 50-50. We had a reservation and showed up on schedule, but weren't seated until ten minutes after our reservation time. The service was, in my Dad's words, "slow and disorganized". Granted, the restaurant was very crowded, but there were plenty of servers and my Dad also said that they shouldn't seat more guests than the kitchen could handle.

Balancing out the somewhat lousy service, however, was some of the best food I've had in a long time. The menu was mostly seafood, but really had something for everyone (steak, chicken, salad ect...). The quality of the meal was simply extraordinary, and my family and I all took tastes of each other's dishes (the apple tart dessert, seen left, was my favorite). All in all, the experience was a positive one, and I would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat.

Just one piece of advice; if you decide to try this restaurant (which I strongly encourage), remember to make your reservation at a time when the crowds are likely to be smaller (we went on Saturday night- not such a good idea), then just sit back and let the good times roll.

Aquagrill Restaurant, New York City

Restaurant Review: Boat Basin Cafe

One of the best features of New York City is that, despite the bumper-to-bumper buildings, there are plenty of green park spaces to unwind, exercise and generally escape from the streets and noise. Although Central Park has the bigger reputation, Riverside Park has always held the more important place in my heart (though this obviously biased, since I grew up less than a stone's throw away from it). If you know where too look, Riverside Park holds many delightful secrets. Since the weather was so absolutely gorgeous today (4/8/12- strong sun, cloudless sky, perfect breeze, the whole nine yards), my parents and I took a walk in the park and ended up at the 79th Street Boat Basin on the Hudson River. I had passed this cafe several times before, but never tried it. In the end, we gave into temptation.

Although the menu at the Cafe was somewhat limited, the food itself was perfectly scrumptious, and it more than made up for a small menu in location, location, location. As you can see from the image to the left, the terrace is set above and right beside the river, providing a fresh breeze (albeit a little too strong on this particular day) as well as perfect exposure to however much sun each patron desired.

The second layer of the restaurant (right) was directly behind the terrace and separated by heavy plastic screens. It contained a vast open space with a full bar, plenty of tables and, of course, big screen TVs. Despite the fact that it was Easter Sunday (when I assumed most people would be at home with their families), it was a full house with patrons shouting and cheering at whatever game was playing (although honestly it got a bit annoying after a while).

The most unique layer of the restaurant was the furthest in (left). For those not familiar with the area, 79th Street & Riverside Drive is notable for its large traffic circle leading to the Westside Highway, and the third layer of the restaurant was sunk directly into the circle (that curving path on top of the arches is what the cars drive on)! Aside from offering the most sun for any interested patrons, this third layer is a pretty cool spot.

If fancy food is not your preference, but you love outdoor seating and a casual environment, then this is place for you. Drop by on the next sunny day. http://www.boatbasincafe.com/ 

War Horse: Movie/Play Comparison

After seeing a moving performance of the original War Horse (see my review) at Lincoln Center last month, I was curious to see how Steven Spielberg's feature film stacked up. Now that I have viewed both, I think I can safely say that, despite their differences, both are fine pieces of work in their own rights.

In terms of plot line, both the play and the film are essentially the same. Various elements were altered, added or omitted (ect..., ect...) throughout the film, but most of these were relatively minor, and didn't take away from the main message of the story. On the plus side, several distinctive scenes from the play (plowing the field, English and Germans working together to release the star- that would be the horse, Joey- from a trap of barbed wire, and the first appearance of a tank the the battlefield) were beautifully preserved in the film, retaining the spirit and passion seen in the live performance.

In one respect, the film actually out-performed the play. Throughout the story, the horse Joey passed through the care of many different people, French and Germans as well as English. Despite the searing conflict of WWI that served as a backdrop for the story, and no doubt the bitter feelings between these nations, Joey had the ability to bring out the finest qualities in whoever he met (the barbed wire scene referenced above is a perfect example). This theme was visible in the play as well, but Spielberg's abilities brought it further to the main, strengthening the all-powerful theme of hope present in both play and film.

Overall, I would say that Spielberg has done an excellent job preserving the vision, scope and, above all, the spirit of the original War Horse. For anyone unable to see the live performance, his film would be a fine substitute. Go and enjoy.
 

Movie Review: Mad Love

Most people have heard of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of England's infamous King Henry VIII. Fewer people, perhaps, have heard the story of Juana, Katherine's older sister and wife of Duke Philip of Burgundy. The third daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Juana's erratic behavior and bouts of hysteria earned her the moniker Juana la Loca ("Joan the Mad"). Spain's official entry for the 2002 Academy Awards, Mad Love captures Juana's story in a powerful and dramatic rendition.

I know very little about Juana's life (although I recently purchased a dual biography of her and Katherine that I plan on reading when able [link]), so cannot fully vouch for the historical accuracy of the film. One thing I can vouch for, however, is the power of performance. Juana (played by Pilar López de Ayala), despite her husband's many infidelities and his attempts to usurp her political power, remains fiercely devoted to him and refuses to let anything stand in her way maintaining both her marriage and her rule. Even at her most erratic moments, de Ayala brings nothing less than pure passion to her portrayal of this vastly misunderstood and powerful woman.

In addition to great performances, the film is superbly costumed, photographed and scored. The only drawback is the narration- every time the narrator describes a scene or plot point, it usually is set several years later along the time line of the film than his previous one, which makes the various sections of the film feel slightly disconnected from each other. Nonetheless, the storyline and powerful performances make the film a must-see for anyone interested in Spanish history

Restaurant Review: Penang

Growing up, Chinese take-out was a staple in my family, and one of my favorite meals of the week. It's still good, but after almost 20 years of ordering from the same restaurant, the menu has grown a bit tiresome (something my mother vehemently echoes on a fairly regular basis). In recent years, the vast expansion of Thai and other East Asian cuisines in the city has allowed me to explore alternatives. One of the finest of these alternatives is the exquisite Malaysian eatery between Amsterdam and Columbus on 72nd street: Penang.

As far as the menu goes, Penang really has something for everyone. Besides catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, I overheard from a waiter once that the restaurant is dairy-free (don't know if this applies to some of the desserts, though, so it would be good to ask). Unlike many Chinese take-out places, the food is never greasy and always prepared with fresh ingredients (not to mention always delicious- I recommend the Basil Chicken).

In addition to the fabulous menu, the layout of the restaurant is casual yet classy. Long and narrow, but with plenty of elbow room and a full bar in the front. No windows, but the entire front wall (facing the street) is made of glass, letting in just the right amount of light. The most unique part is the restrooms. Two unisex restrooms are separated by a short corridor containing the sinks, making the wait time shorter for both men and women, and no waiting at all if you just want to wash your hands.

If anyone is looking for a change of pace from the usual Chinese food, I highly recommend trying Penang. It's a bit pricey, but the combination of quality food, a cozy atmosphere and all-around good time makes the investment well-worth it.

PENANG NYC WEBSITE

Movie Review: Marco Polo

 

I first came upon this film without the faintest idea of the brilliance in store. It was August 8th 2008, mere hours before the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics was set to begin. I was browsing the "Free Movies on Demand" channel with my father and this title came up. Interested, we set it to play, and I was awed as I rarely have been in my entire life.

The film chronicles the incredible story of the Venetian trader who, at barely twenty years of age, traversed practically the entire breadth of the Asian continent and spent over a decade in service of the legendary Mongol emperor of China, Kublai Khan. Facing danger at every turn, both inside and outside the confines of the palace, young Marco saw wonders that most other Europeans would not behold for centuries and wrote perhaps the world's most famous travel guide, which (according to the ending scene of the film) has never been out of print since its first publication nearly 800 years ago.

In films like this, the issue of historical accuracy is always a prominent one. I don't claim to be an expert on the period, yet I had my doubts about certain aspects portrayed in the film; some seemed to have been created merely as romanticizing elements to further the story, yet others have proven, based on my recent research and observations, to be surprisingly correct. Regardless of specific inaccuracies, one thing the film did exceptionally well was show the contrasts between Europe and China (culturally, technologically and intellectually) which, at this time (13th century), were very significant.

The film was not big on special effects by any means (if anything there was a noticeable lack of them), but that was hardly an issue. I did have some qualms-perhaps not initially but after wards- about the casting choices (namely Ian Somerhalder and Brian Dennehy, an American and Irishman, respectively, playing famous Italian and Chinese historical figures), but lavish sets, costumes and cinematography, coupled with dramatic storytelling and fascinating characters affected me in ways that few other movies ever have. So much so, that I re-watched the movie about a dozen more times over the following two weeks and got my hands on the DVD (which contained a lot of extra footage) at the first opportunity. 

Movie Review: The Woman in Black

Ever since I stumbled upon the decidedly creepy trailer for this movie last summer, I have been keen to see it (and not just because it was Daniel Radcliffe's first major post-Potter role, the plot line looked intriguing in-and-of-itself).




Radcliffe stars as Arthur Kipps, a young widower lawyer living in Edwardian-era London. Still reeling from the death of his wife four years earlier, Kipps is given a last chance to retain his job at the firm. He is sent to a remote coastal village to settle the estate of a recently deceased client. Unbeknownst to Kipps, however, he is walking straight into a crockpot of unsettling mysteries. The village has been plagued by mysterious deaths of most of its children, and nearly everyone is convinced that the ghost of Kipps' client is behind it all (although considering the woman’s circumstances, she did have reason to exact revenge on the town that scorned her).


I wasn’t fully sure what to expect from this movie, but it was without a doubt the scariest film I have seen in a long time. The individual elements of that fear (ghostly shadows/faces, creaking noises, demonic-looking toys/dolls ect…) were not very scary in-and-of themselves, but combined with brilliant camera work, stunning visuals and heart-stopping music, all the small parts combined to create a darkly beautiful tapestry of spine-tingling thrills (at one point, a woman in the theater let out a very audible scream- the first time I’ve ever heard one during a movie).  
 

Movie Review: Jodhaa Akbar

I first came across this movie as part of a recommendation list on my Netflix account. It captured my attention but I was never overly inclined to see it. Now, however, after immersing myself in Alex Rutherford's spellbinding historical fiction series Empire of the Moghul, I finally decided to try this movie, and I was completely blown away.

The film showcases the early reign of Akbar the Great, the third emperor of the 16th century Moghul Dynasty of India. Descended from a Muslim tribal clan in Central Asia, Akbar was famous for promoting religious tolerance within the boundaries of his empire, and this shines through in the film. This inclusionist policy earns him friends and enemies, both in neighboring provinces and within his oun court and family.

The other leading face in the film is Jodhaa, princess of the Indian region of Rajasthan, played by Bollywood legend Aishwarya Rai. Although promised to Akbar in marriage to gain an alliance, the vivacious and headstrong Hindu proves more than a match for the Muslim emperor, and in time their marriage blossoms into a true romance.

Although some features do deviate from the historical record (based on my own knowledge and reviews posted by other Netflix viewers), a powerful love story set against a background of political intrigue and family drama, coupled with some classic Bollywood song-and-dance routines, combine to create perhaps to most moving and dramatic foreign film I have ever seen.