In New York, I wanted to eat at some special places, places that New Yorkers really love. Reading the New York Collectors edition of Gourmet magazine, I happened upon a mention of Tabla Bread Bar . I've just recently discovered Indian "chaat" or snack food and Tabla sounded like a very upscale version of chaat. The places I've been for chaat in the Bay Area are nothing fancy but Chaat Cafe and Vik's Chaat Corner in Berkeley, are both great places for a wonderful snack or a meal. Tabla bread bar serves small plates including soup, salads, "street foods" vegetables, tandoori breads and chutneys and raita. It was the perfect place to go with a vegetarian friend because the veggie choices are so varied. One of the more unusual dishes that we tried was the bhel puri--a Bombay street salad of puffed rice, apples, fingerling potatoes, tamarind and mint. The complexity of flavors and textures were tantalizing, it was crispy and refreshing at the same time.......
