+1 we shouldn't let a practical problem disable the whole project. I emailed [email protected] weekly for the last 4 weeks asking what they recommend, but no answer so I say we skip Bahamas.

Looking forward to Bahrain in the later winter!

Sorry, just realized now that I never answered this question. Actually what I found was Norman's Cay, on the LES, of all places. Now that I look at it a bit harder, it is, in fact, Bahamas-specific although not really the cheapo ethnic food that I think we are all expecting!

I have plans to be in NY the evenings of 1/18 and 1/21-1/22, if those dates work!

Nice find! I'll hold off until 1/18 since you discovered this place. Let me know what time would be convenient and we'll work around that.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to email the consulate. I've been slacking on this recently with holiday guests and a trip up to Toronto for the new year, but the pace should start picking up again. Now that we've got the Bahamas worked out I'll start looking into Bahrain, which might be another tough one.

Count me as a possible for 1/18. I leave country on the 22nd (from DC), so depending on whether I am frantically scurrying around at the last minute or have plenty of leisure time, I am definitely interested in joining.

Besides, if the Indian consulate in NY continues to make me go :mad:, then I might be coming up to NYC anyway to give them a piece of my mind (and get my passport back). ;)

Hope you can join us. As added incentive to make the trip, I have spent a significant amount of time in India and may be able to offer some suggestions if this will be your first visit.

Same here. I'll be there in February for what I think will be my 22nd trip. (I am getting hives just writing that!)

On the 18th I will be available from 6-ish. I'm coming into town to see a matinee and get a drink with my mom, and I'm free thereafter. I will put dinner on my calendar!

Ooh! The stakes just got higher. :D It will indeed be my first trip.

Coincidentally, after sending in for my visa back on 12/18 (FedEx confirmed delivery on 12/19), I just received (a couple of hours ago) an email from BLS (the consulate's subcontractor for visa applications) saying they've received my application. I guess the 10-business-day clock can finally start ticking... :rolleyes:

This thread is pretty dispiriting reading about the joys of dealing with BLS. They were installed as the sole contractor dealing with Indian visa processing a year or so ago, and reviews have been uniformly awful. Thank God I have a 10-year multi-entry that doesn't expire for another 5 years.

Let's say 7pm for dinner then. Your mom is of course welcome to join us as well.

Sounds good. My mom will be on her way back to NJ at that point so it will be just me. I will book it on OpenTable if you like--let me know how many people I should make the reservation for.

Sure, that would be great. I typically do a preliminary reservation for 6 and adjust from there as the attendance picture becomes clearer.

Done. A table for 6 is booked for 7 PM on Saturday 1/18. For those attending, please PM me for the name on the reservation.

Norman's Cay
74 Orchard St. (at Broome)
NY, NY 10002
(646) 481-1229

I'm looking forward to joining this crew!

So, are there takers for this Saturday night's dinner? Should I keep the reservation?

We will be there. It looks like it would be safe to lower the reservation to 3 or 4, pending jackal's availability.

:( We can't make it.

Small matter of 1000 miles (and maybe 30-40 degrees F). :)

It looks like another really good one so have a great time. ^