Brick Lane Curry House and Dowel Quality Products, Inc.

Variety is the spice of life, and a variety of spices adds much to one's life! At Brick Lane Curry House, the rust-colored walls are literally painted with spices. The crispy papadums that start the meal are redolent of asafoetida, and rice is fragrant with cloves (and fried onions and parsley). Although I loved my dakshimi (southern) curry, a profusion of peas, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, mushrooms and golden raisins in a rich green coconut sauce, I could have lived on the paneer kulcha. This piping hot, buttery pita bread was stuffed with toasted sesame seeds, parsley and small melted bits of salty cheese.

Brick Lane is extremely vegetarian-friendly; meat is cooked with separate utensils, and independent local farms provide the veggies. The menu is very descriptive; one item is candidly listed as providing "more pain and sweat than flavor."

If you find that you've stuffed yourself as full as the kulcha, head around the corner to Dowel Quality Products, Inc., for a bottle of fennel seeds to improve your digestion. While you're there, you can buy Pakistani rose petal preserves, a rainbow of red, white, green and yellow split peas, preserved lemons and every spice you can think of. But if you seek peace, love, money or a special heart's desire, purchase one of the candles in the shape of human figures. According to the folks at Dowel, a green figurine brings prosperity and a black figurine will grant you that special wish. But if you wish for a nice spicy curry, you don't have to indulge in any fancy rituals: just go to Brick Lane Curry House!

Brick Lane Curry House: 342 E. 6th St., (212) 979-2900. Dowel Quality Products, Inc: 91 1st Ave., (212) 979-6045.

eBay edibles

It was only a matter of time before good meals were auctioned on eBay. Many $25 gift certificates are available for only $1; I just bid on a dinner at Brick Lane Curry House. There are also certificates for DeGrezia, The Palm, and Miss Maude's Spoonbread!

Escape From New York

Trying to dodge this Arctic weather pattern, I flew to Florida. Although it was almost as wintry down there, I did manage to seek some relief at Blood’s Hammock Groves (est. 1949). Blood's distills the essence of sunlight into their incredibly delicious citrus juices. They also offer baskets of whole fruit and condiments such as mango butter and guava jelly. Call (800) 255-5188 for delivery to your New York apartment.

Cookie Island and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Age is a state of mind; if you're looking to regain your youth, you might want to head downtown to Cookie Island and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I felt about five years old as I jumped for joy over the selection at Cookie Island; the only difference was that no one prohibited me from having seconds. I delighted over the almond coconut crunch and peanut butter chip, and I thought I tasted a hint of cinnamon in the chocolate chip.

When I glimpsed the giant caramelized Granny Smith apples in the window at Rocky Mountain, my childhood summers at the boardwalk immediately came back to me. Black forest fudge, chocolate-covered dried pears, deep, dark gooey "killer chocolate" ice cream, and velvet chocolate truffle syrup will certainly provide me with new memories to be fond of. Seventy-five percent of all the goodies are made on the premises; the rich ice cream is manufactured at the Hudson Valley location. Rocky Mountain also custom-designs candy bars and wrappers. Maybe there will be a Salli Vates bar in the future! (In the meantime, you will have to be satisfied with inedibles.)

Cookie Island: 184 Broadway, (212) 608-5937. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 125 Chambers St., (212) 349-7553.

Winter Restaurant Week 2002

Does the end of the holiday season get you down? Cheer up; the fun is not over! Jan. 27-31 is Winter Restaurant Week. This year, you can eat from Aquavit to Zoë!

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve in the home of the peppermint patty (York, PA). Unfortunately for us, the York peppermint patty factory had moved south, and we didn't have a chance to visit the famed Wolfgang Sweet Shoppe. Arriving back in New York today after a four-hour drive, we were parched as well as chocolate-deprived. So, we were thrilled to discover that (a) Dean & DeLuca was open, and (b) the store was now carrying Cocio, the rich Danish chocolate milk beverage that was heavily promoted at this year's Chocolate Show. This thick cocoa-y treat is not just for kids! Now we feel refreshed and ready to begin the year 2003.

Dean and DeLuca: 560 Broadway, (212) 226-6800.