From The Peopling of New York City
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Visiting an Indian Restaurant
When walking on New Dorp Lane if one is not paying attention it is easy for him or her to walk past the inconspicuous storefront with the green awning that is Taste of India II. However, if the shimmer of the golden screen decorated with flowers and peacocks in the window catches the passerby’s eye, her or she will begin to realize that this is not just another restaurant or store, rather it is a doorway to a faraway land with a rich and interesting culture. Upon entering the restaurant, the same dichotomy of familiar versus foreign is present. The tables are ordinary enough, a beige tablecloth covered with glass, salt and pepper shakers, sugar packets and a vase of generic silk flowers. It is only when you look up and take in the décor of the restaurant that the cultural influences begin to sink in.
Decor
At first glance, the sconces that light the restaurant seem to be decorative seashell shapes, until closer inspection reveals them to be peacocks. This is the second place peacocks appear in the décor, including the screens in the windows. Peacocks are a prominent factor in the decoration because they are India’s national bird. The peacock sconces serve to illuminate the pictures and statues of Hindu gods and goddesses, which adorn the walls; including, Ganesh, a human boy with an elephant head. According to legend Ganesh was a normal, healthy child, whose father decapitated him for interrupting his mediations. Ganesh’s mother was understandably distraught and demanded that her son be returned to her. The gods said that they must take the head of the first animal they saw and join it with Ganesh’s body. Of course, the first animal they saw was an elephant, thus Ganesh has the head of an elephant. The gods promised Ganesh’s mother that Ganesh would henceforward be honored first in prayers.
Dinner
As for the structure of a dinner, it begins with seasoned crackers called papad and various chutneys, the equivalent of salsa and tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant or complimentary bruchetta, or bread with seasoned tomatoes, in an Italian restaurant. Next comes an appetizer, if the customer orders one. The main course follows; it is served family style in little crock-pots and accompanied by a choice of breads, which are ordered separately but are necessary to the meal. This is somewhat different from American restaurant culture where most patrons order their own entrée and bread is a complimentary, often forgotten side dish, not an integral part of the meal. Dessert is optional but like the rest of the meal, extremely flavorful and highly recommended.
Cultural Accommodations
In the same way that the décor blends American restaurant traditions with Indian culture to make the restaurant inviting and not intimidating, the menu favors non-Indian patrons as well. Indian people, who ascribe to Hinduism, do not eat beef because they consider the cow to be sacred. Although it is not culturally prevalent, beef is offered on the menu, presumably to cater to American customers, who might enjoy a beef entrée.
Also, the menu is broken down into sections based on the contents of the dish: vegetable, chicken and lamb or goat. Each item is numbered and explained so that customers know what the ingredients are and can order by number if they do not feel comfortable pronouncing the names of the dishes. The waiters in the restaurant are very attentive and helpful. They are patient with indecision about what to order and they are happy to explain what something is if asked. They are very accommodating with the degree spiciness of the food and will alter their recipes to suit individual tastes.
Contact Taste of India II
If this page has inspired you to experience Indian culture first hand, Taste if India II is a wonderful place to do so. The food is delicious and the culture is intriguing. It seems that one learns something new every time he or she visits the restaurant. Here is the link to their website: Enjoy! http://www.tasteofindia2.com/
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