221466 Sun Apr 17 22:09:49 -0700 2005 14 18 Manhattan 0 1178054 Okay, 'hounds, I've got a puzzle for you: My girlfriend and I are going out with another couple this Wednesday night. He's a kosher-keeping lactose-intolerant carnivore; she's a vegetarian who might be persuaded to eat fish. Girlfriend and I are omnivorous chowhounds. Kosher restaurants are okay (I'll also post to the kosher board). But they're either meat or dairy, which will cause problems for one half of our friends. Also, most of the kosher restaurants I know are not so hot. Non-kosher places are okay, too, as long as they can satisfy my kosher friend who would have to stay on the veggie-fish axis but remain dairy free because of his lactose intolerance. Anywhere in Manhattan is fine. Under $15 per entree is best, but that might be a tall order. Thank you all!!! Tarz Sun Apr 17 22:09:49 -0700 2005 0 Tarz 1 1178057 How about and Indian restaurant? Everybody should be able to be satisfied...except the kosher carnivore will not want to eat meat there - but there will be lots of non-meat options too - vegetatarian stuff, fish, etc. Sun Apr 17 22:17:37 -0700 2005 1178054 0 Nina W. 2 1178059 I was kind of thinking along those lines. There's Pongal, a kosher vegetarian Indian place at 23rd and Lex or something, but the one time I went there it had mediocre food, poor service and small portions. (the old "the food was terrible, and such small portions!") But maybe it's worth trying again? It's also kind of a shlep on the subway because we live on the upper west side. Or another place? thanks Tarz Sun Apr 17 22:30:14 -0700 2005 1178057 0 Tarz 3 1178060 Why does it have to be kosher? Does the kosher guy HAVE to eat meat? Will he eat fish? If the kosher guy absolutely HAS to eat meat, you have to go to a kosher restaurant. Post on the kosher board and you'll get a lot of help. There are several vegetarian Indian restaurants in the city...also some Thai vegetarian places. Sun Apr 17 22:33:52 -0700 2005 1178059 0 Nina W. 4 1178061 Nah, he doesn't have to eat meat. I just started thinking in that groove. What are some good vegetarian indian/thai places? thanks Tarz Sun Apr 17 22:36:28 -0700 2005 1178060 0 Tarz 5 1178067 Actually, another Pongal recently opened on 1st Ave. between 63rd & 64th that might be closer to you. We ate there on Friday night and thought the food was great. Portions were a bit small, but tasty. We had two appetizers (a pappadam and rice dumping of sorts - don't remember the exact names) and two entrees (an aggplant and a rice pancake with fresh coconut). The pancake was the standout to me. Sun Apr 17 23:34:22 -0700 2005 1178061 0 Kat 6 1178086 How about a vegan restaurant or chinese vegetarian? Either one should have plenty of dairy free vegetarian options that would satisfy both parties. If you get indian food, try to go for southern indian food as northern indian vegetarian dishes often have a lot of dairy in them. Mon Apr 18 08:53:33 -0700 2005 1178067 0 kitnimbus 5 1178260 Ayurveda Cafe (Indian)on Amsterdam and 94/95 is all veggie. Should be fine for the kosher part of your group if he eats in non-kosher restaurants. May be less appropriate for the lactose intolerant as many Indian restaurants use ghee and this place is not a bufet, but there is a set menu each day so I don't know how much they can adapt menu items Mon Apr 18 17:03:26 -0700 2005 1178061 0 JBS 4 1178170 Turkish or even greek food might fit the bill - usually very good vegetable choices as well as meat and fish and, an avoidable dairy element. Mon Apr 18 13:23:06 -0700 2005 1178060 0 jen kalb 5 1178201 I ate at Colbeh a few weeks ago for a work lunch function. I thought the food was pretty good and it was Kosher. No idea what the atmosphere is like in the evenings, as we were almost the only ones in there at lunch and took up almost the whole place. Mon Apr 18 14:52:41 -0700 2005 1178170 0 R 1 1178073 How about Korean BBQ? We've got a few of these "I'm allergic to everything" friends and it's always a crowd pleaser, since you can get everything there. Mon Apr 18 01:11:38 -0700 2005 1178054 0 BurkGirl 1 1178099 Either Lupa or Otto will work. Plenty of dairy free options (even some dairy free pizzas at Otto), and good vegetable dishes. I should have thought sushi would be fine too, if you avoid shellfish. Mon Apr 18 10:22:12 -0700 2005 1178054 0 Wilfrid 1 1178123 Tarz, do I know you from an infamous midtown law school? Mon Apr 18 11:34:46 -0700 2005 1178054 0 bystander99 2 1178227 Sorry, I don't think you do. But thanks for the help, everybody! Mon Apr 18 15:47:42 -0700 2005 1178123 0 Tarz 1 1178189 How about Josie's? They have vegan options, dairy-free meat options, and pretty much everything in between. Plus, they're on the UWS. (Amsterdam & 74th). Link: http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=4526&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0 Mon Apr 18 14:08:10 -0700 2005 1178054 0 JulesEV