Last week: grub.

I typically measure the quality of an experience strictly by the quality of the food that accompanied that experience. That being said, I had a delightful time last week, enjoying some very tasty food. Here are a few highlights:

Jim's Steaks, South Street, Philadelphia
I absolutely insisted on getting an authentic cheese steak, Philly style, and all guides seemed to point to Jim's Steaks. So after a stroll down South Street (which, with its oh-too-coy sex stores and an occasional comic book shop, tries much too hard to be like Greenwich Village) we headed over to Jim's Steak's. The wait was very long - roughly 45 minutes - after which my hair and all my clothes carried a distinctive (albeit pleasant) cheese-whiz and onion smell. The food was well worth the wait, as the cheese steak was most certainly the best one that I've ever had. I would only suggest doubling up on the cheese and onions, but that's just my preference. The seating in the actual establishment is limited and drab, but the waterfront area has plenty of nice benches for ultimate cheese steak consumption.

Greek Lady, University City, Philadelphia
This place was packed, and that's impressive, considering that this is the off-season for UPenn. The food is standard university diner fare (gyros, burgers, wraps), but the stuffed grape leaves were far better than the ones I typically get at the local Turkish restaurants (less minty). Also, they stuff their gyros with fries, thus saving me the trouble of having to do that myself.

La Bella Pizza, Ellenville, New York
I would like to prelude this review with a brief disclaimer to the effect that I have been consuming New York City pizza for a very long time. It is common knowledge that New York City pizza is the best pizza in the world. Even the most pretentious Euro-centric (or LA-centric) snob will concede that New York City pizza has no rivals. With that in mind, La Bella Pizza in Ellenville serves up an amazing slice, for only $2.50! I was shocked by how good their pizza was considering how far they are from Brooklyn, but also, considering the price (because as far as I can tell, flour and pork are not significantly cheaper upstate). The meat slice is overflowing with pepperoni, ham, bacon, sausage, and fried chicken breast. Seriously, folks, does it get better than that?

Aroma Thyme, Ellenville, New York
This place is too trendy to be in the Catskills. The food was just slightly above average, but I was impressed by its mere existence. I was also impressed by the variety of cuisines that it offered - vegetarian, Indian, Thai, sushi, organic Japanese beef, goat cheese pizzas. When they say "fusion" they really really really mean it. This was pretty much an entire Upper West Side block worth of menus compressed into one single restaurant.

Vatan, 3rd Avenue, New York City
I had no idea that it's possible to get so stuffed on chickpeas and rice, but at Vatan it absolutely is. I wish I could eat more, but I just couldn't. The food was so good, especially the appetizers, which included the best samosas I've ever had, amazing sev puri, and batakavada (deep-fried potato balls in chickpea flour batter). I was so full, I couldn't finish the mango ice cream (and if you know me, you know that I can always finish the mango ice cream). The atmosphere is also very lovely, peaceful, and romantic. Vatan is truly a prime example of abundant quantity and great quality.