Old favorites

There's something about going back to your old favorites. The memories that flow back when you first went to that restaurant, and the things that made it memorable. It's ironic that the majority of my favorites are the chain restaurants (Applebees, five guys, cheesecake factory). Maybe it's the fact that the food is decent, but it's more for the countless memories me and my friends have at these places. Yet when I think about my favorites in New York, I remember a restaurant that I was impressed by during last year's restaurant week. It was impressive in all facets. The service, price, environment, and ultimately, the food were astounding. I was quite happy that day and couldn't wait for the opportunity to go back again. Unfortunately, a busy schedule has prevented me from coming back to this restaurant, but yet when I was asked to pick a restaurant, I was tempted to pick a new place. (I love trying new restaurants for the simple fact that I love to see different chefs' views on different foods.) Despite all this, I couldn't help but feel that I had to go back to my old favorite, Tabla

I had the opportunity to go back to one of my favorite restaurants in the city today and enjoy the 3 course menu. While it was a little disappointing to not see their short rib dish I absolutely devoured the first time, I was still happy that they were still serving an interesting, different, and quality meal. Having a bread sampler of their nann (bread baked in a tandoori oven) was quite interesting in that it's amazing how you can have so many different flavors with the same white canvus (in this case bread). While the bread could've used a dipping sauce, I can appreciate the fact that I could actually taste the flavor of the nann they were trying to portray. Also, trying their Frissace Wild mushrooms with polenta was an interesting dish. The textures worked quite well with each other and yet, there would be this subtle hint of curry and lemon in the background. It was quite surprising how such a simple dish was, in fact, so good. However, the main dish was a story all in itself. The Confit of Duck was absolutely delicious. The crispiness, coupled with the succulent meat, all on a bed of risotto was to die for. I just wish there was more of it, so I could enjoy it even that much more. Finally, the dessert was something I had the first time called Kulfi and to say the least, it was as good as the first time. There's just something about that dessert that makes it so similar to ice cream yet it's not. It's creamy, yet not sweet. I wish I could explain it into words, but it's just something that one has to try for themselves. Overall, the dinner experience was quite nice, but unfortunately, just like a really high expectation into a movie, it just didn't live up to the expectation I was hoping for. It just wasn't as mind-blowing or as impressive the first time (maybe because my expectations were that much higher). Nevertheless, it was a great meal and in the end, that's all I can ask for.

I want to leave myself with one more question. What does an old favorite actually mean? An old favorite is a place that you are excited to come back to because you know what to expect and yet you don't know what to expect. You know there will be good food, but the type of food selection is still a mystery. That's what make old favorites the best, not only being surprised, but being amazed at how good it is every time you go back. But I guess what makes an old favorite an old favorite is the memories you have there with both your friends and family.