Sorry again for the radio silence. The long summer is nearly finished and I am looking forward to finally getting back on track with this. I don't think I've spent more than 48 consecutive hours in NY since early June, so it has been a challenge to do my on-the-ground research. On top of that we're in a really tough alphabetical stretch, with the likes of Brunei, Burkina Faso, and Burundi next on the list.

From the latest posts and a few offline conversations, it looks like there is interest in doing one of these basically every weekend for the next 4-5 weeks. This weekend is no good (sorry GRJApp), but I think I can make all the others work to make up for lost time. We'll probably have to jump ahead in the alphabet to grab some low-hanging fruit for at least a couple of these, at least until I have a chance to go consulate hopping. I'll post again very soon with more specifics :)

Looking forward to them and finally catching one before I visit the homeland (Nepal) in October. Speaking of which...when you get there, I can offer Jackson Heights...or mom's house.

I'll be watching. Can't wait to see what you come up with for Brunei, Burkina Faso, and Burundi

If we visit your Mom, I promise to bring a good bottle of wine. ;)

Austin, I'm standing by - per our conversation. ;)

Quite a challenge for thewayofthefuture :cool::cool:

Back on the hunt! I'm paying a visit to Brunei and Burkina Faso at the UN this afternoon :)

Pending the outcome, I could throw something on the calendar for tomorrow if anyone is in town.

Cool. I'm in NYC this weekend. Available for dinner tomorrow or lunch Sunday.

Keep us apprised!

Anytime tomorrow works for me as well.

Ok, the plan is Burkina Faso at 6pm tomorrow.
Hajia Restaurant - 3716 White Plains Road (Bronx)

This came from the UN visit today - I have a name to ask for at the restaurant, and this guy should be able to prepare a custom meal for us, similar to the Beninese meal earlier this year.

I'm going to call around lunchtime to confirm, so keep an eye on this thread in case we have to adjust the time.

UPDATE: restaurant is permanently closed; see below.

So I just went up to the restaurant and it is in fact closed.

However, I had an 'only in New York' moment last night when I randomly met a guy from Burkina Faso at a nondescript bar in the West Village (as I was explaining this very project to a group of people, no less). While on my way to the Bronx a bit ago, he sent me contact info for a Burkinese woman who operates a restaurant/catering service.

I'm still hoping to pull this off today, so I'm on the 2 train to Harlem now. For those interested in joining today, feel free to PM me for my cell # if that's easier than keeping up with the thread.

Good news and bad news.

The bad news is that the restaurant in Harlem was nowhere to be found, and I'm going to have to pull the plug on hopes of a Burkinese meal tonight.

The good news is I managed to get in touch with the Burkinese woman who operated the catering business, and she has agreed to prepare us a meal of 2-3 dishes next Saturday (October 11).

dhammer53, I'll get you a menu soon so you can think about the wine pairings :)

All I need is a time and place.

dh

If the time is the weekend after next and the place is in NYC, I can bring a bunch of bottles to help dhammer53 with the wine pairings. :D

Sounds good!