soup מהודו ועד

One of Jon's classes being cancelled today, we decided to meet for an early dinner. We'd heard good things about Ichikidana, a vegetarian Indian restaurant in the shuk, and since Jon was spending the afternoon searching for inexpensive Purim costumes in the area today seemed like a good one. We both ordered the sampler, which included a pile of rice, several chutneys, and a variety of other tasty foods on a shiny metal platter. We've never been to India, but based on the age (post-army) and dress (flowing and colorful) of the people working, as well as the bindi on the cook's forehead, we think the tastes were as authentic as we're likely to find here. The noise and excitement of the neighboring shuk also made the experience fun. Although we left a little hungry, we happily recommend the place.

After a quick look in several other costume stores (read: random stationary and kitchen-goods stores that decided to sell costumes before Purim) we realized that we were still hungry, so we headed over to another hole-in-the-wall shuk eatery, this one called Shipudia (which seems to mean "stuff on sticks"). We both ordered the kubbeh soup, which was a tomato base with other vegetables, and balls of dough with ground beef centers. Sounds weird and was, but was also yummy!

Sated for the time being, we went to the OU center to hear the first part of a presentation on Women as Orthodox Rabbis, given by a friend. This installment was mostly just introduction, with people airing their grievances and baggage, with next week being the examination of rabbinic sources. So far so good, though, and we look forward to next week (when we hope to have more juicy details to report).